Kaparna's number 1, Rafal Dobrucki

On his comeback last year after his severe back injury Rafal Dobrucki was the best rider in Allsvenskan. In this years meetings he has shown that he can fight all the best riders in Elitserien. He has shown standard far beyond our expectations!

Satisfied with his riding and with Kaparna

You must be very satisfied with the results from these two last seasons? ”Yes, I am very satisfied and I don't regret keeping to Kaparna” Yes, it looks like you have special feelings for Kaparna. Even Janne Andersson, who maintains your engines, says so. ”I have fine contact with everybody in Kaparna. I have lots of friends in the club. I enjoy our cooperation.” What are your expectations for this year? ”To make good results and that everybody in the team goes for it. Kaparna has to stay in Elitserien.”

Great favourite

You are probably the most popular rider in the team. Do you find it mostly a support or do you feel it as a burden on your shoulders? ”I cannot say anything but good things about the fans. They know speedway and I think they are great for the support they give us under today’s troublesome situation.” Rafal, you have made yourself known as the champ of the second bend at Arendal. ”I got good speed there. It was fine when I felt I could go fast there.” Could you characterize yourself as a speedway rider? "No, I don't do that. Others may do it but not me!" But it is clear that your starts are super. "It is always possible to improve the technique." When you are first in the start corner very few riders can beat you. "I always try to do my best." I have a strong impression that Rafal has a very modest attitude to his achievements on the speedway track. Which seems to be typical for most o the best riders.

Vehement in the final meeting with Valsarna

We have heard the story about the "champagne" after the second final meeting last year. Is it true? ”Before the meeting at Arendal the coaches told us that Valsarna had celebrated with champagne after the meeting in Hagfors. I got real angry that they had celebrated victory in advance. You don't do like that. Jacek and I got very vehement.” Had you two any special tactics when you went out for the last race? "No, nothing but to give all we had!"

Good starter

You have shown to be a very good starter. Do you prefer any starting lane? ”No, I think I can do well from all lanes." But, when it is real tight in the first corner, how do you think? I can't say. I decide when I am in the situation. It is best to be the fastest starter!”

Changed clubs in Poland this year

You have changed clubs in Poland this year? How come? ”Stal Rzeszow was eager to make me join the team and I have a sponsor who wants me to ride in the team. Leszno was very slow to give me a contract to sign. So I decided to change.” You have skipped England? "Yes, I want to save my back. I might do a few starts during the second half of the season." How did you prepare for this season? "This year mostly individual practice. I went to the gym a lot. Of course some motocross riding and I like to play football (soccer)." Do you make special preparations before every meeting? "No nothing especial:"

The coaches and the club managers are very important

Most people who are not familiar with speedway don't sea it as a team sport. "In a way they are right, the team is not better than the sum of the individual riders. But the coaches and the leaders i the club are very important. They have to make everybody work in the same direction. They are more important than the riders." And you think this works well in Kaparna? "I have gone on very well with the coaches." The team has a very young captain this year. Can this be an disadvantage with you older riders? "I don't think so. Kim is a positive and engaged rider who can share his enthusiasm with all of us. He is OK." Some people thought you should have been team captain the meeting last year when neither Shane nor Stefan Andersson could ride. It seems that the other riders pay you a great deal of respect. "That is to say too much. Everybody helps and we have a good spirit in the team." Do you miss any rider in the team? "Peter Karlsson and Shane Parker. Hampel and Gapinski could have made a difference for the team."

Merits:

5 Polish team medals, 1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze
2 Swedish team medals, 1 gold and 1 silver
7 times qualified for the Polish Champion final, bronze 1995
5 times qualified for the Polish Junior Championship, gold 1995, silver 1996, bronze 1994, 1997
3 times qualified for the Bronze Helmet final, 1995 he won
4 times qualified for the Silver Helmet final, 1995 and 1997 he won 
8 times qualified for the Gold Helmet final

Krystyna Ottosson and Anders W