Ove Fundin
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| Ove Fundin | ||
 |
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| Personal Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nationality |  Sweden |
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| Date of birth | May 27, 1933 | |
| Place of birth | Tranås, Sweden | |
| Nickname | The Fox or The Flying Fox | |
| Current Club Information | ||
| Career Status | Retired | |
| Career History | ||
| Norwich Stars Long Eaton Archers Belle Vue Aces Wembley Lions |
1955-1964 1966 1967 1970 |
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| Individual Honours | ||
| World Champion | 1956, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1967 | |
| Team Honours | ||
| World Team Cup World Pairs Champion |
1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1970 1968 |
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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)[1]. He was known by the nickname of the "Flying Fox" or just "the Fox" because of his red hair.
Contents |
[edit] Career
It was suggested to him by another rider that he ride in the British League and he joined the Norwich Stars, riding with them from 1955 until 1964 when the stadium closed. Then he rode for Long Eaton 1966, Belle Vue 1967, Wembley 1970.
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).
[edit] World Final appearances
- 1954 -
GBR Wembley - 16th - 2pts - 1955 - GBR Wembley - 6th - 10pts
- 1956 - GBR Wembley - Winner - 13pts
- 1957 - GBR Wembley - 2nd - 14pts + 2pts
- 1958 - GBR Wembley - 2nd - 13pts
- 1959 - GBR Wembley - 2nd - 13pts
- 1960 - GBR Wembley - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
- 1961 - SWE Malmö - Winner - 14pts
- 1962 - GBR Wembley - 3rd - 10pts + 3pts
- 1963 - GBR Wembley - Winner - 14pts
- 1964 - SWE Gothenburg - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
- 1965 - GBR Wembley - 3rd - 13pts + 2pts
- 1967 - GBR Wembley - Winner - 14pts + 3pts
- 1968 - SWE Gothenburg - 9th - 7pts
- 1969 - GBR Wembley - 7th - 9pts
[edit] 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 30th 2006.
He currently lives on the French Riviera.
[edit] References
- ^ 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 |
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