MARK Loram has pulled off a major coup by convincing Polish maestro Tomasz Gollob to line up in his ‘Farewell to British Speedway’ meeting at Wimborne Road.

The reigning world champion was always top of ex-Pirates star Loramski’s wanted list after they first talked at Cardiff in July.

Britain’s last world champion, who won the title as a Poole rider in 2000, exclusively told the Echo: “I’m absolutely ecstatic Tomasz has agreed to come over.

“I initially spoke to him at the British Grand Prix last year and his manager said then he would see what they could do to help me.

“I'd spoken to them another three times before they told me on Sunday at Tomasz had agreed to ride at Poole on March 30.

“I'm absolutely thrilled because along with Leigh Adams, Tomasz was one of the best riders never to have won the world title.

“The fact Tomasz finally did it last year at the age of 39 is fantastic.

“He's almost the same age as me and I was lucky enough to win it when I was 29, so I know how terrific he must be feeling right now.

“Tomasz doesn't ride in Britain a lot and, at the moment, apart from the GP at Cardiff, he isn't down to ride anywhere else over here this year.

“It’s a great honour to know he will take part in my big night alongside other confirmed starters Jason Crump, Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris and Freddie Lindgren.

“I’ll be inviting all the Poole boys to ride as well and I’m sure they will.”

Loram, 40 last month, finally announced his retirement in December 2009 after injury cruelly cut short his racing career in March 2007.

The ex-Pirate, who starred for the club in 1999 and 2000 before controversially moving to Peterborough, said: “I don’t know what the format of the meeting will be yet.

“I’m working on it and will step up the organisation next week, but I will be riding myself although I’m not sure in what capacity.”

Gollob, reputedly Poland’s highest paid sportsman and a genuine superstar in his homeland, rarely rides in Britain, apart from in the GP.

He has only ridden for one British club, Ipswich, and the last time was in 2000.

His last appearance at Poole was in the 2004 World Cup final when Poland finished fourth behind Sweden, Neil Middleditch’s Team GB and Denmark.

Gollob will, arguably, always be remembered most by the Wimborne Road faithful for pulling off a fantastic last-heat semi-final success over Crump at Poole that year.

The Pole beat tactical joker Crump to second place to send cup favourites Australia spinning out in a race Gollob described "as the best I can remember I've had" at the time.