Ove Fundin

Ove Fundin
Personal information
Nationality	Sweden
Date of birth	May 23, 1933 (1933-05-23) (age 78)
Place of birth	Tranås, Sweden
Nickname	The Fox or The Flying Fox
Current club information
Career status	Retired
Career history
Filbyterna (SWE) Norwich Stars Kaparna (SWE) Long Eaton Archers Belle Vue Aces Wembley Lions	1951-1957 1955-1964 1958-1971 1966 1967 1970
Individual honours
World Champion Swedish Champion SA State Champion (Aust) WA State Champion (Aust)	1956, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970 1961 1969
Team honours
World Team Cup World Pairs Champion	1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1970 1968

Ove Fundin (born May 23, 1933 in Tranås, Sweden) is a former speedway rider who won the Speedway World Championship five times (1956, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967). 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, Ove Fundin did not finish lower than a podium place in a record eleven World Finals.^[1] He was known by the nickname of the "Flying Fox" or just "the Fox" because of his red hair.

Career

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 coming runner-up three times and third three times as well as his five wins. He also helped Sweden win the World Team Cup in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967 and 1970 as well as the Speedway World Pairs Championship in 1968. He is considered by many to be the greatest rider of all time and this is reflected by the Speedway World Cup being named after him.

Fundin received the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal in 1961 (shared with Sten Lundin).

World Final appearances

• 1954 - London, Wembley Stadium - 16th - 2pts
• 1955 - London, Wembley Stadium - 6th - 10pts
• 1956 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 13pts
• 1957 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 14pts + 2pts
• 1958 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
• 1959 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
• 1960 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
• 1961 - Malmö, Malmö Stadion - Winner - 14pts
• 1962 - London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 10pts + 3pts
• 1963 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts
• 1964 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
• 1965 - London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
• 1967 - London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
• 1968 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 9th - 7pts
• 1969 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 9pts

After retirement

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 October 30, 2006.

He currently lives on the French Riviera.

References

1. ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5

Preceded by Jane Cederqvist

Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal . (with Sten Lundin) 1961

Succeeded by Assar Rönnlund

Persondata
Name	Fundin, Ove
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 23, 1933
Place of birth	Tranås, Sweden
Date of death
Place of death