OveFundinFan

Last I heard it was this Friday 30th Jan

Re Ove Fundin, apart from being in the top 3 world championship for 10 consecutive years and winning 5 times in 15 appearances over 16 years............ he also represented Sweden in the World Team Championship for 11 consecutive years, being in the winning team 6 times and runner up spot 3 times.

For 10 years on the trot Ove Fundin finished 1,2 or 3 in the world, he then missed a year but came back in 1967 to win again. As "one Meeting" world championships that takes some doing and some beating. "Mr Perpetual Motion" was his title.

What is it? - 5 days to go? When the announcement is made this forum will go in to melt down.

I thought he had problems getting into this country. And how much would it cost to get anyone like him over hear, could a team in the PL afford it?

I agree with a lot of the points the originator of the petition states ie Darcy is one of the best speedway riders (I think so too), he's entertaining to watch (undoubtedly) , Everyone looks forward to watching him race (maybe not all) and speedway is not the same with out him (some may disagree, but I agree) It would be a massive loss to the sport if Darcy Ward wasn't racing in 2015 (ok, I will go with the sentiments). However, whose fault is it that Darcy is in the situation he is in? Well, its Darcys fault, no one elses. If he had acted sensibly and responsibly he would have still been racing in 2014, possibly on one of the the top three podium positions at the end of the year, AND riding in the 2015 gp's. I wish some fans would simply grab hold of the reality of the situation.

Racing was absolutely fine with Jawa 2 valves, (and JAP engines). So why not again?

question - what question?

Whoops ! I am sure you know what I meant ie 2 min lol

I agree with GRW123, it does appear as if start marshalls have no authority over riders as they constantly call them to order but no notice is taken - thats how I see the GP's and Euro championship/world cup meetings. Something needs to be done, the 23 min rule should be enforced and I am glad if they not allowing riders back in the pits after a false start/first corner recall etc. When riders disappear back into the pits it really gets me grumpy lol

Oh yes!

I think he beat Fundin more then a few times at the top meetings. Twice 2nd in the world, Gothenberg and Wembley. Anytime in his peak years which seem to be 1962-67. How much riding he did in Europe I dont know, maybe not much. Give him the experience of race meetings like a GP rider can get now ie possibly 3 leagues, would improve any ones chances. Good example the pay back of lack of meetings at top level was Smolinski in 2014. Wins first GP when everyone was rusty, didnt do too bad for a couple GP's after that, but soon as the riders who were racing 3 times a week got into their stride it was over for Smoli.

If Honda HRC was involved I dont think a small firm like GM would push them out. If Honda want to do something I would think they have resources at hand to do it.

Even if it was 122,315, do you think the FIM would care?

My Mum and Dad were there in the 50's, I didnt get there till the early 60's,and then regular till the late 70's Only abroad final was 1976, the PC win in Katowice, just grateful I can see his races from that fantastic meeting on You Tube

Your right Bob, it was 1978, heat 3. Just been to Wikipedia, e/f, three straight wins, then 2nd to Gordon Kennett. Olsen 13, Kennett 12, Autrey 11, and as Jessup was well ahead in heat 3 then he would have been world champ. Jessup beat Olsen and Autrey in heat 10. That was Jessups chance gone, pity really.

To me Humphrey, being a professional wanting to be number one, means you have to be dedicated at what you are doing to achieve the ultimate prize. Sure there are professionals who earn a good living from what they do, but to be no 1 it takes something special. The hours and hours an athlete, swimmer, cyclist, boxer etc etc puts in to achieve the pinnacle of fitness to do what is required to be no 1 takes dedication, serious dedication Obviously Darcy was not dedicated enough. If he had been dedicated, totally dedicated he would not have "risked" being over the limit the following day, and it doesn't matter how much he was over the limit, he was over. He was "on the edge" and it tipped the wrong way for him and now he is paying the price. 2014 was a year he could possibly have been world champion, and he screwed it up.... for what.... a few pints of beer. Just a few pints of beer he could have enjoyed another time, even just 24 hours later. So he demonstrated to me, that he is not dedicated enough - my opinion which I am entitled to. It may well be that 2014 was his one and only chance, serious chance to be the champion of the world, who knows. Certainly none of us know and neither does Darcy, history will tell us. You grab your chances whilst they are there, not fritter them away by having a few pints.

Dave Jessup was a nearly man, unless my memory is playing up again. Did he not have an engine failure at Wembly 1974 (I think) when leading - push rod failure? Then he went on to score 11 points. A win in that race would have made him world champ on 14 points

There must be plenty of us still around Bob, we're still youngsters really - trapped in older bodies. lol Yes that was a good night when Knutsson won. Shame Plechanov could not have done the same. For him, and Boris Samarodov, to come to Wembly and do what they did was remarkable really. I have no doubt if there had been the GP season then, like now, one of them, at least, would have ended up world champ.

Why would a true professional want to do ANYTHING that would risk the chance of being a world champion? Top of the pile. That applies to anyone in any sport. He knew speedway was providing him, and his crew around him, with a living. On that Saturday evening in Latvia, Darcy knew he was in a season long competition to become the 2014 world champion. More then that, he knew he was really in the competition as a leader rider and true contender for the ultimate prize - being world champion. That real opportunity of being world champion may only come once in your career - why risk throwing away that opportunity by drinking alcohol, any amount of alcohol, the night (or day) before a world championship meeting. Its been said that Nicki Pederson abstains for the whole of the speedway season, no matter what you think of Nicki's riding tactics, THAT is a sign of a dedicated professional. And if he does that to be SUCCESSFUL world class rider, what else does he do to achieve his goals? And it pays results - he has been twice world champion. In that respect Nicki is a really good role model. Other riders may do the same to achieve their goals. Other riders will learn from their peers, and not only learn from peers in their own chosen sport, but from top pros in any sport. Tai did. He chose to pummel his body and mind when he got a second chance to go for the world championship. Fitness training, eating habits etc - did it pay off? It sure did. Did Darcy take any notice of all these examples? Apparently not. He chose to "punish" his body by drinking alcohol the night before a meeting, a world championship meeting, a meeting he had a chance of winning, a world championship he had a chance of winning and he threw it away. Sure people will say "he was only doing what young people do". Foolish counsel that Darcy maybe had heard. But the number of competitors that have been foolish and world champion in the same year will probably be quiet rare. You are either a pro or your not a pro. Darcy chose not to be a pro, and displayed that to us all, by drinking alcohol on the lead up to a championship meeting. I hope he learns from his mistake(s), and when he resumes his speedway career (whenever that be) he will be a reformed character, knuckles down and takes his chosen profession seriously. He needs to surround himself with sensible managers, pit crew, advisers, and true friends who all will be sensible and honest enough to give him sound advice before he makes poor decisions, Surround yourself with foolish people and you are very likely to be foolish. Surround yourself with wise people and you are likely to become wise. I wonder what Darcy will do? Will he have learned from this hugh hiccup in his career that he has brought upon himself, and turn himself around?

I can remember some fantastic Golden Helmet (and no Golden Helmet) races at Belle Vue between Peter Craven and Ove Fundin. Really close races from 2 riders with completely different riding styles. Complete respect and trust between the two. Amazing. Pity video camera shots in high quality were not commonly available then as they are now.

and that was the top 150. I probably only recognised about 8-10 of the names, but Sweden has a lot of winter sports celebrities I woudnt know noticed there was a Soren Nordin, wondered whether they meant Soren Sjosten or Gote Nordin lol. A UK top 150 would be full of footballers, cricketers, rugby, boxing, swimming and athletics. Motor sports forgot about.

Does anyone know who are the riders in the 2015 Challenge, the riders wanting to qualify for the 2016 GP series.? Just wondering whether Emil has entered, as he said he would come back to the GP series via qualification and also Martin Vaculik, who said he wanted 2 or 3 years to mature as a rider. 2015 will be his 2nd year out of GP's OR does anyone know when we hear who is in the GP Challenge?

I can see where Blazeaway is coming from KK did very well early on, then the accident stopped a good run, he got back into it again, but when that bit extra was needed at the end of the gp year, he flunked it as if mental pressure got to him. With help he could get to overcome it. We shall see.

serious memory loss there. Thank you Norbold