Svab aiming for amazing comeback

5:25pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

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FORMER Pirates number eight Toni Svab is considering making an amazing return to speedway - just over two years after almost losing his life in a horror track spill.

Svab, who lined up for Poole in 2005, suffered severe head injuries and underwent a life-saving brain operation after crashing in the Argentinean Open Championship in January 2006.

The 33-year-old Czech Republic international spent time in a coma in Bahia Blanca hospital before he was fit enough to fly to his Prague home to continue his recovery.

Now, only 26 months after an accident that looked to have ended his career, the ex-Poole man could be on his way back to resuming his racing career.

In a letter to Poole Rider Equipment Fund committee member Stan Vatcher, Svab's wife Adriana wrote: "A lot has happened since Toni's accident and our lives had been turned upside down.

"It's only now, 2008, that we are almost back on our feet, thinking of some new projects, of some normal' circumstances in which to base our lives."

Argentinean-born Adriana, whose mother and father both sadly died last year, added: "We have a daughter, too - Anna. And we ought to put our lives together for her sake, too.

"And you might have gathered that for Toni, the fact we are almost on our feet again, means something quite clear - speedway bikes.

"Yes, so there won't be any stopping him, I think. And before long, you'll hear his name being talked up on the racing front.

"Seeing Toni on a bike again might mean that our old Toni Svab is back to stay!"

Adriana continued: "People from all corners of Britain and beyond have been so supportive that it's been overwhelming.

"At your track (Poole), you've also held a collection for us and we appreciate it very much, too."