# Ove Fundin

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Swedish motorcycle speedway rider

Ove Fundin Born (1933-05-23) 23 May 1933 (age 93) Tranås, Sweden Nickname The Fox or The Flying Fox Nationality Swedish Career history Sweden 1951-1957 Filbyterna 1958-1971 Kaparna Great Britain 1955-1964 Norwich Stars 1966 Long Eaton Archers 1967 Belle Vue Aces 1970 Wembley Lions Individual honours 1956, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967 World Champion 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970 Swedish Champion 1954 Continental Champion 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965 European Champion 1955, 1961, 1963, 1967 Nordic Champion 1957 Pride of the East winner 1960 Southern Riders Champion 1963 Pride of the Midlands winner 1960/61 SA State Champion 1969 WA State Champion 1967 Golden Helmet of Pardubice 1961, 1962, 1963 Internationale 1962 The Laurels Team honours 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1970 World Team Cup 1968 World Pairs Champion 1968, 1970 Allsvenskan Champion 1955, 1963 National Trophy

Competition record Representing Sweden Speedway World Championship 1956 1960 1961 1963 1967 1957 1958 1959 1962 1964 1965 Speedway World Team Cup 1960 1962 1963 1964 1967 1970 1961 1965 1968 1966 Speedway World Pairs Championship 1968 1969 1970 Golden Helmet 1967 1968 Long Track World Championship 1961

**Ove Fundin** (born 23 May 1933) is a Swedish former professional [motorcycle speedway](/source/Motorcycle_speedway) rider. He competed in the [Speedway World Championships](/source/Speedway_World_Championship) from 1951 to 1970. Fundin is notable for winning the Speedway World Championship Final five times (1956,[1] 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967), a record bettered only by New Zealand's [Ivan Mauger](/source/Ivan_Mauger) and fellow Swede [Tony Rickardsson](/source/Tony_Rickardsson) who each won six World Championships.[2] He finished runner-up in the championship 3 times (1957–59) 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.[3] 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](/source/Sweden_national_speedway_team).[4]

## Career

Fundin was born in [Tranås](/source/Tran%C3%A5s). It was suggested to him by [Australian champion](/source/Australian_Individual_Speedway_Championship) [Aub Lawson](/source/Aub_Lawson) that he ride in Britain and he joined the [Norwich Stars](/source/Norwich_Stars), riding for them from 1955 until 1964 when the Firs stadium closed. Then he rode for [Long Eaton](/source/Long_Eaton_Archers) 1966,[5] [Belle Vue](/source/Belle_Vue_Aces) 1967,[6] [Wembley](/source/Wembley_Lions_(speedway)) 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](/source/Speedway_World_Championship) appearances, being runner-up three times and third three times as well as his five wins. He also helped Sweden win the [World Team Cup](/source/Speedway_World_Team_Cup) in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967 and 1970 as well as the [Speedway World Pairs Championship](/source/Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship) in 1968. He is considered to be one of the greatest riders of all time (along with the likes of Ivan Mauger and Hans Nielsen). Fundin went through the World Team Cup (including qualifying rounds and the final in [Gothenburg](/source/Gothenburg)) undefeated in 1960, a feat not matched until [Australia](/source/Australia_national_speedway_team)'s [Jason Crump](/source/Jason_Crump) went through the [2001 Speedway World Cup](/source/2001_Speedway_World_Cup) undefeated.

Fundin won the [Wimbledon Internationale](/source/Wimbledon_Internationale) for three consecutive years from 1961 to 1963.[7]

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](/source/South_Australian_Individual_Speedway_Championship) four times (1966, 1967, 1969, 1970) at the [Rowley Park Speedway](/source/Rowley_Park_Speedway) in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide), and the [Western Australian Championship](/source/Western_Australian_Individual_Speedway_Championship) at the [Claremont Speedway](/source/Claremont_Speedway) in [Perth](/source/Perth) in 1969.

He won a record nine [Swedish Championships](/source/Speedway_Swedish_Individual_Championship).[8]

## Awards

In 1961 Fundin and [motocross](/source/Motocross) competitor [Sten Lundin](/source/Sten_Lundin) were awarded the [Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal](/source/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.[9][10]

Fundin was honoured as a [Freeman of the City](/source/Freedom_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](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_Motocyclisme) Legend for his motorcycling achievements.[11]

## After retirement

He currently lives on the [French Riviera](/source/French_Riviera).[12] In 2024, he joined a charity cycling team at the end of their journey in aid of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.[13]

## World Final appearances

### Individual World Championship

- [1954](/source/1954_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium_(1923)) - 16th - 2pts

- [1955](/source/1955_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - 6th - 10pts

- [1956](/source/1956_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **Winner** - 13pts

- [1957](/source/1957_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **2nd** - 14pts + 2pts

- [1958](/source/1958_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **2nd** - 13pts

- [1959](/source/1959_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **2nd** - 13pts

- [1960](/source/1960_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **Winner** - 14pts + 3pts

- [1961](/source/1961_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6), [Malmö Stadion](/source/Malm%C3%B6_Stadion) - **Winner** - 14pts

- [1962](/source/1962_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **3rd** - 10pts + 3pts

- [1963](/source/1963_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **Winner** - 14pts

- [1964](/source/1964_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - [Gothenburg](/source/Gothenburg), [Ullevi](/source/Ullevi) - **3rd** - 13pts + 2pts

- [1965](/source/1965_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **3rd** - 13pts + 2pts

- [1967](/source/1967_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - **Winner** - 14pts + 3pts

- [1968](/source/1968_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - Gothenburg, Ullevi - 9th - 7pts

- [1969](/source/1969_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 9pts

### World Pairs Championship

- [1968](/source/1968_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship)* - [Kempten](/source/Kempten), [Illerstadion](/source/Illerstadion) (with [Torbjörn Harrysson](/source/Torbj%C3%B6rn_Harrysson)) - **Winner** - 24pts (14)

- [1969](/source/1969_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship)* - [Stockholm](/source/Stockholm), [Gubbängens IP](/source/Gubb%C3%A4ngens_IP) (with [Göte Nordin](/source/G%C3%B6te_Nordin)) - **2nd** - 27pts (15)

- [1970](/source/1970_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship) - Malmö, Malmö Stadion (with [Bengt Jansson](/source/Bengt_Jansson)) - **2nd** - 25pts (15)

** Unofficial World Championships.*

### World Team Cup

- [1960](/source/1960_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - Gothenburg, Ullevi (with [Olle Nygren](/source/Olle_Nygren) / [Rune Sörmander](/source/Rune_S%C3%B6rmander) / [Björn Knutson](/source/Bj%C3%B6rn_Knutson)) - **Winner** - 44pts (12)

- [1961](/source/1961_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Wrocław](/source/Wroc%C5%82aw), [Olympic Stadium](/source/Olympic_Stadium_(Wroc%C5%82aw)) (with [Sören Sjösten](/source/S%C3%B6ren_Sj%C3%B6sten) / Rune Sörmander / Björn Knutson / [Per Tage Svensson](/source/Per_Tage_Svensson)) - **2nd** - 30pts (11)

- [1962](/source/1962_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Slaný](/source/Slan%C3%BD) (with Björn Knutson / Sören Sjösten / [Göte Nordin](/source/G%C3%B6te_Nordin) / Rune Sörmander) - **Winner** - 36pts (9)

- [1963](/source/1963_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Vienna](/source/Vienna), [Stadion Wien](/source/Ernst-Happel-Stadion) (with Björn Knutson / [Per Olof Söderman](/source/Per_Olof_S%C3%B6derman) / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander) - **Winner** - 37pts (7)

- [1964](/source/1964_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Abensberg](/source/Abensberg), [Abensberg Stadion](/source/Abensberg_Stadion) (with Björn Knutson / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander / Sören Sjösten) - **Winner** - 34pts (6)

- [1965](/source/1965_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - Kempten, Illerstadion (with Björn Knutson / [Bengt Jansson](/source/Bengt_Jansson) / Göte Nordin) - **2nd** - 23pts (8)

- [1966](/source/1966_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Wrocław](/source/Wroc%C5%82aw), [Olympic Stadium](/source/Olympic_Stadium_(Wroc%C5%82aw)) (with Björn Knutson / [Leif Enecrona](/source/Leif_Enecrona) / Göte Nordin / [Leif Larsson](/source/Leif_Larsson_(speedway_rider))) - **3rd** - 22pts (2)

- [1967](/source/1967_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - Malmö, Malmö Stadion (with Göte Nordin / Bengt Jansson / [Torbjörn Harrysson](/source/Torbj%C3%B6rn_Harrysson)) - **Winner** - 32pts (6)

- [1968](/source/1968_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - London, Wembley Stadium (with [Bengt Jansson](/source/Bengt_Jansson) / [Anders Michanek](/source/Anders_Michanek) / [Olle Nygren](/source/Olle_Nygren) / Torbjörn Harrysson) - **2nd** - 30pts (11)

- [1969](/source/1969_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - [Rybnik](/source/Rybnik), [Rybnik Municipal Stadium](/source/Rybnik_Municipal_Stadium) (with Bengt Jansson / Sören Sjösten / Anders Michanek / Torbjörn Harrysson) - 4th - 12pts (2)

- [1970](/source/1970_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) - London, Wembley Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Anders Michanek / Sören Sjösten) - **Winner** - 42pts (11)

## World Longtrack Championship

- 1959 - Semi-final

- 1961 - [Oslo](/source/Oslo) (**Second**)

- 1962 - [Mühldorf](/source/M%C3%BChldorf) (12th)

- 1966 - Qualifying Round

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Fundin is champ"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000844/19560923/166/0022). *Sunday Mirror*. 23 September 1956. Retrieved 8 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Montague, Trevor (2004). *The A-Z of Sport*. Little, Brown. p. 518. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-316-72645-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-316-72645-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). *A History of the World Speedway Championship*. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2402-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2402-5)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022"](https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf) (PDF). *British Speedway*. Retrieved 7 September 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Archers may lose Fundin"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003893/19660615/016/0016). *Nottingham Evening Post*. 15 June 1966. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Fundin in Aces team tonight"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003432/19670915/325/0019). *Lynn Advertiser*. 15 September 1967. Retrieved 28 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Fundin zips to victory"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004076/19620615/147/0011). *Streatham News*. 15 June 1962. Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Oakes, Peter (1981). *1981 Speedway Yearbook*. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 85. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-86215-017-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86215-017-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Sten "Storken" Lundin"](https://silverpilen.net/legender-2/sten-lundin/). silverpilen.net. Retrieved 30 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Göran Söderlund (28 March 2020). ["Legendaren porträtteras igen"](https://idrottensaffarer.se/namn/2020/03/legendaren-portratteras-igen) (in Swedish). Idrottens affärer. Retrieved 28 January 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["FIM Legends"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201002111452/http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Distinctions/FIM-Legends.pdf) (PDF). fim-live.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Distinctions/FIM-Legends.pdf) (PDF) on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Marsh, Lorna (21 July 2006). ["Speedway legend to get freedom of city"](http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/speedway-legend-to-get-freedom-of-city-1-690073). *Eastern Daily Press*. Retrieved 24 November 2017. Speaking from his home in the French Riviera, Fundin, known around the world for his contribution to the sport in Norwich, said: "It is a great honour, really fantastic. I am deeply proud and very happy."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Dramatic conclusion for heroic speedway fundraising ride"](https://cumbriacrack.com/2024/09/02/dramatic-conclusion-for-heroic-speedway-fundraising-ride/). *Cumbria Crack*. Retrieved 19 September 2024.

Preceded by Jane Cederqvist Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal . (with Sten Lundin) 1961 Succeeded by Assar Rönnlund

v t e Speedway World Champions 1936 - L. Van Praag 1937 - J Milne 1938 - B. Wilkinson 1949 - T. Price 1950 - F. Williams 1951 - J. Young 1952 - J. Young 1953 - F. Williams 1954 - R. Moore 1955 - P. Craven 1956 - O. Fundin 1957 - B. Briggs 1958 - B. Briggs 1959 - R. Moore 1960 - O. Fundin 1961 - O. Fundin 1962 - P. Craven 1963 - O. Fundin 1964 - B. Briggs 1965 - B. Knutson 1966 - B. Briggs 1967 - O. Fundin 1968 - I. Mauger 1969 - I. Mauger 1970 - I. Mauger 1971 - O. Olsen 1972 - I. Mauger 1973 - J. Szczakiel 1974 - A. Michanek 1975 - O. Olsen 1976 - P. Collins 1977 - I. Mauger 1978 - O. Olsen 1979 - I. Mauger 1980 - M. Lee 1981 - B. Penhall 1982 - B. Penhall 1983 - E. Müller 1984 - E. Gundersen 1985 - E. Gundersen 1986 - H. Nielsen 1987 - H. Nielsen 1988 - E. Gundersen 1989 - H. Nielsen 1990 - P. Jonsson 1991 - J. Pedersen 1992 - G. Havelock 1993 - S. Ermolenko 1994 - T. Rickardsson 1995 - H. Nielsen 1996 - B. Hamill 1997 - G. Hancock 1998 - T. Rickardsson 1999 - T. Rickardsson 2000 - M. Loram 2001 - T. Rickardsson 2002 - T. Rickardsson 2003 - N. Pedersen 2004 - J. Crump 2005 - T. Rickardsson 2006 - J. Crump 2007 - N. Pedersen 2008 - N. Pedersen 2009 - J. Crump 2010 - T. Gollob 2011 - G. Hancock 2012 - C. Holder 2013 - T. Woffinden 2014 - G. Hancock 2015 - T. Woffinden 2016 - G. Hancock 2017 - J. Doyle 2018 - T. Woffinden 2019 - B. Zmarzlik 2020 - B. Zmarzlik 2021 - A. Laguta 2022 - B. Zmarzlik 2023 - B. Zmarzlik 2024 - B. Zmarzlik 2025 - B. Zmarzlik

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ove Fundin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ove_Fundin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ove_Fundin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.