Ove Fundin
{{Short description|Swedish motorcycle speedway rider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox speedway rider
| name = Ove Fundin
| image =
| nationality = Swedish
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1933|5|23|df=y}}
| nickname = The Fox or The Flying Fox
| birth_place = Tranås, Sweden
| career1 = Sweden
| years2 = 1951-1957
| career2 = Filbyterna
| years3 = 1958-1971
| career3 = Kaparna
| career4 = Great Britain
| years5 = 1955-1964
| career5 = Norwich Stars
| years6 = 1966
| career6 = Long Eaton Archers
| years7 = 1967
| career7 = Belle Vue Aces
| years8 = 1970
| career8 = Wembley Lions
| indivhonour1 = World Champion
| indivyear1 = 1956, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967
| indivhonour2 = Swedish Champion
| indivyear2 = 1956, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964,
1966, 1967, 1969, 1970
| indivhonour3 = Continental Champion
| indivyear3 = 1954
| indivhonour4 = European Champion
| indivyear4 = 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1965
| indivhonour5 = Nordic Champion
| indivyear5 = 1955, 1961, 1963, 1967
| indivhonour6 = Pride of the East winner
| indivyear6 = 1957
| indivhonour7 = Southern Riders Champion
| indivyear7 = 1960
| indivhonour8 = Pride of the Midlands winner
| indivyear8 = 1963
| indivhonour9 = SA State Champion
| indivyear9 = 1960/61
| indivhonour10 = WA State Champion
| indivyear10 = 1969
| indivhonour11 = Golden Helmet of Pardubice
| indivyear11 = 1967
| indivhonour12 = Internationale
| indivyear12 = 1961, 1962, 1963
| indivhonour13 = The Laurels
| indivyear13 = 1962
| teamhonour1 = World Team Cup
| teamyear1 = 1960, 1962, 1963,
1964, 1967, 1970
| teamhonour2 = World Pairs Champion
| teamyear2 = 1968
| teamyear3 = 1968, 1970
| teamhonour3 = Allsvenskan Champion
| teamhonour4 = National Trophy
| teamyear4 = 1955, 1963
}}
{{CompetitionRecordTableTop|}}
{{CompetitionRecordCountry | {{SWE}} }}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Speedway World Championship}}
{{MedalGold| 1956|}}
{{MedalGold| 1960|}}
{{MedalGold| 1961|}}
{{MedalGold| 1963|}}
{{MedalGold| 1967|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1957|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1958|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1959|}}
{{MedalBronze| 1962|}}
{{MedalBronze| 1964|}}
{{MedalBronze| 1965|}}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Speedway World Team Cup}}
{{MedalGold| 1960|}}
{{MedalGold| 1962|}}
{{MedalGold| 1963|}}
{{MedalGold| 1964|}}
{{MedalGold| 1967|}}
{{MedalGold| 1970|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1961|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1965|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1968|}}
{{MedalBronze| 1966|}}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Speedway World Pairs Championship}}
{{MedalGold| 1968|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1969|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1970|}}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Golden Helmet}}
{{MedalGold| 1967|}}
{{MedalSilver| 1968|}}
{{CompetitionRecordCompetition|Long Track World Championship}}
{{MedalSilver| 1961|}}
{{CompetitionRecordBottom}}
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,{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000844/19560923/166/0022 |title=Fundin is champ |website=Sunday Mirror |date=23 September 1956 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 September 2024}} 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967), a record bettered only by Ivan Mauger and fellow Swede Tony Rickardsson who each won six World Championships.{{cite book|last=Montague|first=Trevor|title=The A-Z of Sport|year=2004|page=518|publisher=Little, Brown|isbn=0-316-72645-1}} 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.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. {{ISBN|0-7524-2402-5}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=7 September 2024}}
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,{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003893/19660615/016/0016 |title= Archers may lose Fundin |website=Nottingham Evening Post |date=15 June 1966 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 September 2024}} Belle Vue 1967,{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003432/19670915/325/0019 |title=Fundin in Aces team tonight |website=Lynn Advertiser |date=15 September 1967 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 September 2024}} 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 won the Wimbledon Internationale for three consecutive years from 1961 to 1963.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004076/19620615/147/0011 |title=Fundin zips to victory |website=Streatham News |date=15 June 1962 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 September 2024}}
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 (1966, 1967, 1969, 1970) 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.{{cite book |last=Oakes |first=Peter |title=1981 Speedway Yearbook |year=1981 |page=85 |publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd |isbn=0-86215-017-5}}
Awards
Fundin received the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal in 1961 (shared with Sten Lundin).{{cite news|url=https://idrottensaffarer.se/namn/2020/03/legendaren-portratteras-igen|title=Legendaren porträtteras igen|publisher=Idrottens affärer|author=Göran Söderlund|language=sv|date=28 March 2020|access-date=28 January 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.fim-live.com/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/Distinctions/FIM-Legends.pdf |title=FIM Legends |publisher=fim-live.com |access-date=April 29, 2020}}
After retirement
He currently lives on the French Riviera.{{cite news |url=http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/speedway-legend-to-get-freedom-of-city-1-690073 |newspaper=Eastern Daily Press |title=Speedway legend to get freedom of city |first=Lorna |last=Marsh |quote=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." |date=July 21, 2006 |access-date=November 24, 2017}} In 2024, he joined a charity cycling team at the end of their journey in aid of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.{{cite web |url=https://cumbriacrack.com/2024/09/02/dramatic-conclusion-for-heroic-speedway-fundraising-ride/ |title=Dramatic conclusion for heroic speedway fundraising ride |website=Cumbria Crack |access-date=19 September 2024 }}
World Final appearances
= Individual World Championship =
- 1954 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 16th - 2pts
- 1955 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 6th - 10pts
- 1956 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 13pts
- 1957 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 14pts + 2pts
- 1958 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
- 1959 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 13pts
- 1960 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
- 1961 - {{Flagicon|SWE}} Malmö, Malmö Stadion - Winner - 14pts
- 1962 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 10pts + 3pts
- 1963 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts
- 1964 - {{Flagicon|SWE}} Gothenburg, Ullevi - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
- 1965 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
- 1967 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
- 1968 - {{Flagicon|SWE}} Gothenburg, Ullevi - 9th - 7pts
- 1969 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 9pts
= World Pairs Championship =
- 1968* - {{flagicon|FRG}} Kempten, Illerstadion (with Torbjörn Harrysson) - Winner - 24pts (14)
- 1969* - {{flagicon|SWE}} Stockholm, Gubbängens IP (with Göte Nordin) - 2nd - 27pts (15)
- 1970 - {{flagicon|SWE}} Malmö, Malmö Stadion (with Bengt Jansson) - 2nd - 25pts (15)
* Unofficial World Championships.
= World Team Cup =
- 1960 - {{Flagicon|SWE}} Gothenburg, Ullevi (with Olle Nygren / Rune Sörmander / Björn Knutson) - Winner - 44pts (12)
- 1961 - {{Flagicon|POL}} Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Sören Sjösten / Rune Sörmander / Björn Knutson / Per Tage Svensson) - 2nd - 30pts (11)
- 1962 - {{Flagicon|CZE}} Slaný (with Björn Knutson / Sören Sjösten / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander) - Winner - 36pts (9)
- 1963 - {{Flagicon|AUT}} Vienna, Stadion Wien (with Björn Knutson / Per Olof Söderman / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander) - Winner - 37pts (7)
- 1964 - {{Flagicon|FRG}} Abensberg, Abensberg Stadion (with Björn Knutson / Göte Nordin / Rune Sörmander / Sören Sjösten) - Winner - 34pts (6)
- 1965 - {{Flagicon|FRG}} Kempten, Illerstadion (with Björn Knutson / Bengt Jansson / Göte Nordin) - 2nd - 23pts (8)
- 1966 - {{Flagicon|POL}} Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Björn Knutson / Leif Enecrona / Göte Nordin / Leif Larsson) - 3rd - 22pts (2)
- 1967 - {{flagicon|SWE}} Malmö, Malmö Stadion (with Göte Nordin / Bengt Jansson / Torbjörn Harrysson) - Winner - 32pts (6)
- 1968 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Anders Michanek / Olle Nygren / Torbjörn Harrysson) - 2nd - 30pts (11)
- 1969 - {{Flagicon|POL}} Rybnik, Rybnik Municipal Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Sören Sjösten / Anders Michanek / Torbjörn Harrysson) - 4th - 12pts (2)
- 1970 - {{Flagicon|ENG}} London, Wembley Stadium (with Bengt Jansson / Anders Michanek / Sören Sjösten) - Winner - 42pts (11)
World Longtrack Championship
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | title=Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal . (with Sten Lundin)|before=Jane Cederqvist|after=Assar Rönnlund| years=1961}}
{{s-end}}
{{Speedway World Champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fundin, Ove}}
Category:Swedish speedway riders
Category:Individual Speedway World Champions
Category:Speedway World Pairs Champions
Category:Belle Vue Aces riders
Category:Swedish expatriate speedway riders in England
Category:Long Eaton Archers riders
Category:Individual Speedway Long Track World Championship riders