Ari Koponen (speedway rider)

In 1978, Koponen joined the Birmingham Brummies for the 1978 British League season,^[5] this was his first season in the British leagues.^[1] The following year he won a bronze medal at the 1979 Individual Speedway Junior European Championship.

He remained with Birmingham for five years, scoring over 800 points^[3] until he requested a transfer^[6] and joined Wimbledon Dons in 1983.^[7][1] It was in 1983, that Koponen became the national champion of Finland after winning the Finnish Individual Speedway Championship.^[8]

In 1984, Koponen switched from Wimbledon to join the Swindon Robins where he enjoyed two successful seasons in 1984 and 1985.^[2] Also in 1985, he won a second Finnish national championship.^[8] In 1987, he won his third and final Finnish national championship.^[9]

He was also a long track rider and reached the Individual Speedway Long Track World Championship final in 1988.^[10]

• Finland national speedway team