Antonín Kasper Jr.

Antonín Kasper Jr.
Toni as the 1991 Golden Helmet of Pardubice winner
Born(1962-12-05)5 December 1962
Prague, Czechoslovakia
Died31 July 2006(2006-07-31) (aged 43)
NationalityCzech
Career history
Czechoslovakia/Rep
1982–1989Rudá Hvězda Praha
1990–1994Olymp Praha
Great Britain
1982–1983Hackney Hawks
1984Eastbourne Eagles
Poland
1990–1991Lublin
1992–1996, 2000–2002Gniezno
1997–1999Rzeszów
Sweden
1991–1992, 1996–1998Karlstad
1999–2002Masarna
Denmark
2001Brovst
Individual honours
1998Continental Champion
1982European Junior Champion
1991Golden Helmet of Pardubice (CZE)

Antonín Kasper (5 December 1962 – 31 July 2006) also known as Toni Kasper during his racing career, was a Czech motorcycle speedway rider. He appeared in four Speedway World Championship finals and featured in four Speedway Grand Prix series.[1] He earned 42 international caps for the Czechoslovakia national speedway team and 15 caps for the Czech Republic national speedway team.[2]

Career

Kasper won the 1982 European Under-21 Championship at the Rottalstadion in Pocking, West Germany. He won the title, after finishing on 14 points.[3] He then joined Hackney Hawks in the British leagues and rode for them in 1982 and 1983.[4]

In 1987, he represented the Czechoslovak national team during the final of the 1987 Speedway World Team Cup.[5]

On 25 July 1998, he won the Continental Final, which formed part of the 1999 Speedway Grand Prix Qualification.[6]

Kasper rode in the United Kingdom for the Hackney Hawks from 1982 until their closure the following season at the end of 1983.[7] He rode for Karlstad in Sweden in 1991.

In 2005 Kasper was diagnosed with cancer, and he died in 2006.[8]

As a child actor he appeared in two Czech films.

Family

His father Antonín Kasper Sr. also appeared in Speedway World Championship finals.

World Final appearances

Individual World Championship

World Team Cup

World Pairs Championship

Speedway Grand Prix results

Year Position Points Best finish Notes
1998 12th 50 5th 5th in Danish GP
1999 15th 39 5th 5th Polish GP
2000 17th 32 12th
2001 23rd 11 17th Rode in only 3 GPs

References

  1. ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  2. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Courtney second after run-off". Leicester Daily Mercury. 19 July 1982. Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Fit-Again Morton Set to boost the Tigers". Star Green 'un. 18 June 1983. Retrieved 31 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Thorp can sparkle". Manchester Evening News. 16 July 1987. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Individual Championship". Speedway.org. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  7. ^ Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight. ISBN 0-7524-2737-7
  8. ^ Tribute to Toni Kasper Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine