Ove Fundin


Ove Fundin is a Swedish former professional motorcycle speedway rider. He competed in the Speedway World Championships from 1951 to 1970. Fundin is notable for winning the Speedway World Championship Final five times, a record bettered only by New Zealand's Ivan Mauger and fellow Swede Tony Rickardsson who each won six World Championships. He finished runner-up in the championship 3 times and was third in 1962, 1964 and 1965, meaning that from his first win in 1956 until his last in 1967, Fundin did not finish lower than a podium place in a record eleven World Finals. He was known by the nickname the "Flying Fox" or just "the Fox" because of his red hair. He earned 99 caps for the Sweden national speedway team.

Career

Fundin was born in Tranås. It was suggested to him by Australian champion Aub Lawson that he ride in Britain and he joined the Norwich Stars, riding for them from 1955 until 1964 when the Firs stadium closed. Then he rode for Long Eaton 1966, Belle Vue 1967, Wembley 1970 but will always be remembered for the glory days at Norwich Stars where he was worshiped by the home fans.
He made a total of 15 World Final appearances, being runner-up three times and third three times as well as his five wins. He also helped Sweden win the Speedway [World Team Cup|World Team Cup] in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967 and 1970 as well as the Speedway World Pairs Championship in 1968. He is considered to be one of the greatest riders of all time. Fundin went through the World Team Cup undefeated in 1960, a feat not matched until Australia's Jason Crump went through the 2001 Speedway World Cup undefeated.
Fundin won the Wimbledon Internationale for three consecutive years from 1961 to 1963.
Fundin also made several visits to Australia during his career with considerable success. Along with representing Sweden and various "Rest of the World" teams in Test Matches against the Australians, he won the South Australian Championship four times at the Rowley Park Speedway in Adelaide, and the Western Australian Championship at the Claremont Speedway in Perth in 1969.
He won a record nine Swedish Championships.

Awards

In 1961 Fundin and motocross competitor Sten Lundin were awarded the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal for the most significant Swedish sports achievement of the year. It marked the first time that the award had recognised the sport of motorcycling.
Fundin was honoured as a Freeman of the City of Norwich in 2006, only the second non-English person to be awarded this honour. The ceremony was completed at Norwich City Hall Council chamber by the Lord Mayor of Norwich on 30 October 2006.
In 2013, Fundin was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.

After retirement

He currently lives on the French Riviera. In 2024, he joined a charity cycling team at the end of their journey in aid of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.

World Final appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

''* Unofficial World Championships.''

World Team Cup

World Longtrack Championship