The final run of the fourth round of TAURON SEC 2024, which will be held at the Slaski Stadium in Chorzow will be named after Jerzy Szczakiel - the first Polish Individual World Champion.
Szczakiel is a special figure in the history of the Polish speedway. Born in 1949 rider began his career at the age of 18. Raised by the club from Opole, he proved from the very beginning that there was a lot of potential in him to reach for the most prestigious laurels in the future. In 1971, on the track in Rybnik, he won the gold medal of the World Pairs Championship, and reached his greatest success two years later.
In 1973, the final of the Individual World Championships was held in Poland again, but this time the host city was Chorzow. After five series of racing, Jerzy Szczakiel and Ivan Mauger were on the lead, both scoring 13 points each. The championship title was decided by an extra heat, in which the Pole triumphed. Szczakiel became the first Polish rider to win the championship title. Another who managed to do so was Tomasz Gollob, who reached for the gold only in 2010. In 1974 Szczakiel won a bronze medal of the Team World Championship, which was also held at the Slaski Stadium.
The winner of the 'Jerzy Szczakiel Final Heat' will receive a specially prepared trophy in honor of the 1973 World Champion.
