Ove Fundin (born 23 May 1933) 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 (1956,[1] 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967), a record bettered only by Ivan Mauger and fellow Swede 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 of the "Flying Fox" or just "the Fox" because of his red hair. He earned 99 caps for the Sweden national speedway team.[4]
Career
Fundin was born in Tranås. It was suggested to him by Australian championAub 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,[5]Belle Vue 1967,[6]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 Swede 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 to being 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) undefeated in 1960, a feat not matched until Australia's Jason Crump went through the 2001 Speedway World Cup undefeated.
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.[10]
After retirement
He currently lives on the French Riviera.[11] In 2024, he joined a charity cycling team at the end of their journey in aid of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.[12]
^"Archers may lose Fundin". Nottingham Evening Post. 15 June 1966. Retrieved 7 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Fundin in Aces team tonight". Lynn Advertiser. 15 September 1967. Retrieved 28 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^"Fundin zips to victory". Streatham News. 15 June 1962. Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. p. 85. ISBN0-86215-017-5.
^Göran Söderlund (28 March 2020). "Legendaren porträtteras igen" (in Swedish). Idrottens affärer. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
^"FIM Legends"(PDF). fim-live.com. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
^Marsh, Lorna (21 July 2006). "Speedway legend to get freedom of city". 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."
