Kauko Nieminen

Kauko 'Kake' Tapio Nieminen (born 29 August 1979, in Seinäjoki) is a Finnish former speedway rider who raced for several teams in the UK, Sweden, and Poland, and as part of the Finland national speedway team.[1]

For the physicist, see Kauko Armas Nieminen.
Kauko Nieminen
Born (1979-08-29) 29 August 1979
Seinäjoki, Finland
NicknameKake, Nemo, Flying Finn
Nationality Finland
Websitewww.kauko.co.uk
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
2002-05, 2007-08Workington Comets
2006, 2015Glasgow Tigers
2008–2011Lakeside Hammers
2007TŻ Lublin (POL)
2008-2012PSŻ Poznań (POL)
2011–2013Leicester Lions
2013Belle Vue Aces
2015Griparna (SWE)
2014-2015Rospiggarna (SWE)
Individual honours
1998, 1999, 2000,2016Finnish under-21 champion
2009, 2010, 2011Finnish champion
Team honours
2004, 2006, 2008Premier League Fours Champion
2008Premier League Pairs Champion
2000Finland 1st Division Champion
2001, 2004Sweden 2nd Division Champion
2009Elite League KO Cup

Career summary

Nieminen started his UK career with the Workington Comets in 2002 and was with them every season until 2008 except for 2006 when he rode for the Glasgow Tigers. Also in 2006, he represented Finland in the 2006 Speedway World Cup.

Nieminen is known by both Workington and Glasgow fans as 'The Flyin Finn' because of his racing style, which produces some high speed passing. In 2007 season, Nieminen returned to the Workington Comets, this time as captain,[2] and also rode for Solkatterna in Sweden and TŻ Lublin in Poland. At the end of the season it was announced he would return the Comets in 2008.[3]

His good form in 2008 was noticed by the Elite League team Lakeside Hammers, and he was signed to the squad to cover for injuries.[4] Nieminen was signed as a full team member at Lakeside for the 2009 season. He joined Leicester Lions in July 2011, becoming the team captain and finishing third in the 2011 Premier League Riders' Championship. He won the Finnish championship for the third consecutive year in September 2011. In November 2012 Lakeside Hammers announced that Kauko would be awarded a Testimonial meeting in 2013,with the venue to be decided. On 25 November 2012 Kauko was named to continue as Captain of Leicester Lions for the 2013 Premier League season, in what would be his third season with that team.

References
  1. Bamford, Robert (January 2004). Tempus Speedway Yearbook 2004. NPI Media Group. ISBN 0-7524-2915-9.
  2. "Flying Finn Kauko is Comets Skipper". News and Star. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
  3. "It's a deal for Kauko". News and Star. 3 November 2007. Archived from the original on 13 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  4. "Hammers sign Finnish number eight". BBC. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
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