Karl Maier (born 24 August 1957) is a German former speedway rider. He competed in motorcycle speedway and Longtrack racing. He reached seventeen world longtrack championship finals and was world champion four times. He also earned 38 international caps for the West German national speedway team.
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Career
Maier began his career in 1975 and soon established himself as one of the world's leading longtrack riders. He was crowned world longtrack champion for the first time after winning the 1980 Individual Long Track World Championship in Scheeßel, defeating Egon Müller into second place and taking Müller's place as Germany's longtrack hero.
Maier would go on to become long track world champion four times, earning further wins in 1982, 1987 and 1988. In addition, he won eight German national longtrack championship titles.
Maier also forged a career in conventional speedway, earning 38 international caps and participating in four consecutive Speedway World Championship finals from 1983 until 1986 and a fifth final in 1989.
Maier rode three seasons in Britain, riding for Belle Vue Aces in 1979 and Birmingham Brummies from 1982 to 1983.
Personal life
Maier is a master mechanic and owner of a BMW motorcycle dealership, as well as was the owner of a Toyota car dealership in Erding. He lives in Neufinsing, is married and has a daughter.
Results
World Longtrack Championship
1978 Mühldorf (7th) 17pts
1979 Mariánské Lázně (6th) 13pts
1980 Scheeßel (Champion) 23pts
1981 Radgona (13th) 5pts
1982 Esbjerg (Champion) 24pts
1983 Mariánské Lázně (Third) 18pts
1984 Herxheim (Third) 17pts
1986 Herxheim (6th) 11pts
1987 Mühldorf (Champion) 22pts
1988 Scheeßel (Champion) 42pts
1989 Mariánské Lázně (Third) 33pts
1990 Herxheim (Second) 30pts
1991 Mariánské Lázně (7th) 10pts
1992 Pfarrkirchen (Third) 20pts
1993 Mühldorf (Second) 20pts
1995 Scheeßel (6th) 14pts
1996 Herxheim (6th) 11pts
World Final appearances
1983 - Norden, Motodrom Halbemond - 9th - 8pts
1984 - Gothenburg, Ullevi - 9th - 7pts
1985 - Bradford, Odsal Stadium - 16th - 1pt
1986 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 13th - 3pts
1989 - Munich, Olympic Stadium - 11th - 5pts
1983 - Gothenburg, Ullevi (with Egon Müller) - 6th - 12pts (6)
1986 - Pocking, Rottalstadion (with Klaus Lausch) - 6th - 27pts (22)
1989 - Leszno, Alfred Smoczyk Stadium (with Gerd Riss) - 4th - 36pts (22)
1981 - Olching, Speedway Stadion Olching (with Egon Müller / Georg Hack / Georg Gilgenreiner) - 3rd - 28pts (8)
1982 - London, White City Stadium (with Georg Hack / Egon Müller / Alois Wiesböck / Georg Gilgenreiner) - 3rd - 18pts (7)