Erik Gundersen

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Erik Gundersen (born 8 October 1959 in Esbjerg, Denmark) was a Speedway rider in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Rode for Cradley Heath 'Heathens' from 1979 to 1989 when he almost lost his life in the accident below. Was a loyal and outstanding servant to the Black Country club where he started out in the shadow of Bruce Penhall but after Penhall's premature retirement became the club's number one rider, a position he still held at the time of his terrible crash.

Gundersen won the Speedway World Championship three times in 1984, 1985 and 1988. His career was ended when he was involved in a serious accident whilst riding for Denmark at Bradford on the 17 September 1989 in the World Team Cup Final.He locked up on the first bend and was knocked off by the rider behind, he lay on the ground and was hit in the head by another riders rear wheel, and sent flying across the track. After the accident was not expected to live and was in a coma for a period of time and later had to learn to walk again raising a large amount of money for the Hospital which saved his life in the process. Enjoyed an emotional farewell at Cradley riding one final lap of honour accompanied by his team-mates. Gundersen later went on to manage the Danish national Speedway Team.

Wonder Gunder was an immaculate gater and his outside pass of the team riding americans in the 1985 individual world final at Bradford was one of the all time great passes, a real blast round the boards that left the yanks for dead, very popular even with rival fans, always made time for photos & signing autographs, a genuine all round nice chap, would have won more world titles but for his tragic accident.