Swedish starlet Thomas H Jonasson is preparing for the biggest meeting of his career to date, after being handed the wild card for the FIM Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix in Malilla on August 14.
The Swedish Under-21 champion has previously served as a track reserve at the G&B Stadium in 2008, and also at the Swedish SGP in Gothenburg last season.
But he did not take part in a race at either meeting and this will be the 21-year-old’s first ride in the World Championship.
Jonasson could be a part of the series full-time next season, as he has won a spot in the GP Challenge at Vojens on August 21, which sees the top three riders earn SGP berths.
The Vetlanda-born racer rides for his home town club – just 50km from Malilla – in the Swedish Elitserien. He also competes for Swindon in the British Elite League and Gdansk in the Polish First Division, where he rides alongside SGP regular Magnus Zetterstrom.
New Swedish national team boss Peter Jansson said: “After seeing him win the Swedish Under-21s last year, it is great to see Thomas get his chance to shine at the highest level.
“He has been in brilliant form this season and did well to earn a place in the Grand Prix Challenge. This may not be the last time we see him riding in a World Championship event.”
Jonasson will be joined in the FIM Scandinavian Grand Prix field by track reserves Linus Sundstrom and Ludvig Lindgren.
Sundstrom has been in fantastic form for British teams Ipswich and Rye House this term, as well as Swedish team Piraterna. He also competes for Gniezno in the Polish First Division.
Meanwhile, Lindgren rides his home Swedish fixtures at the G&B Stadium with Dackarna and also competes for Wolverhampton in the Elite League alongside his SGP star brother Freddie.
Sundstrom and Lindgren could be called into action should one of the 16 main competitors hit the tapes, fail to make the two-minute time allowance or suffer an injury and be unable to continue.
Tickets for the FIM Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix are available from ticnet.sespeedwaygp.com or by calling +46 77 170 70 70.
