Guest Posted November 25, 2016 Report Share Posted November 25, 2016 (edited) By JOHN HYAM WHEN I shook hands with Ove Fundin in the lift at Wembley Stadium in 1956 to congratulate him after his first world championship success, several other pasengers looked at me in horror - as if I was some sort of traitor to a British cause. But that Fundin triumph was confirmation that Sweden had entered the international elite previously dominated by England, Australia and the USA. Fortunately, speedway has moved on from those days and internationalism is very much the sport’s life saviour. As a journalist, one should never admit to having a favourite - but for me Fundin is very much an exception to that criteria. One feat about Fundin was that he seemingly could ride any bike and win on it. The only other comparison along similar lines was England al-time great Jack Parker - who's career spanned from 1928 through to 1954. Fundin was five times world champion between 1956 and 1967. Surprisingly though he didn’t score a maximum in any of those championship. And when he was seemingly heading to correct that, in Malmo, Sweden in 1961, on the last lap Fundin slowed down to let Gote Nordin pass him to score 12 points, totals also scored by another Swede Bjorn Knutsson and New Zealand’s Barry Briggs. It led to a run-off for the minor places, won by Knutsson from Nordin to give Sweden the first three places on the winners’ rostrum. At that final,Knutsson won four of his five races. He dropped his only points when out against Fundin. Unfortunately Knutsson, who like Fundin was unbeaten when they met, fell in that race. Nordin in third place had three seconds and two victories. New Zealander Barry Briggs also had 12 points with three wins, a second and third place. One could fill volumes recording the Fundin feats - ‘the greatest speedway rider ever’ has long been a tag attached, and deservedly so, to his name. I shook hands with him just once - but it is my most endearing memory of a great rider and equally great sport. Edited November 27, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 Well, I never shook hands with Ove, but I got an email from him which made my day. May be he could have added to 5 world titles but for one year when he was in dispute with the Swedish speedway authorities and couldnt ride in the qualifiers - 1966. Nicknamed "Mr Perpetual Motion" - not sure that was because for 10 years running he finished in the top 3 of the world championship (1956-65) or also due to other fantastic achievements, but a very apt title to be awarded.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 I've got to know Ove very well over the last 10 years or so and count him now as a good friend. I last met him at the Norwich dinner a few weeks ago. He still looks amazingly fit and is such a gentleman. Nothing like his on-track antics!!!To my mind, he is still the greatest rider I have ever seen. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybikespeedway Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 Ove has and always will be one of my favorites, and I got to sit on his Norwich track spare No2 at Poole in one of Broggo's Greatest meetings, also got to have a Pint and a conversation with the great man, a super Champion of all time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 I only saw fundin ride at the end of his career when he was at wembley. I remember him getting loudly booed at the world team cup final, which the swedes won in 1970. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovalman Posted November 26, 2016 Report Share Posted November 26, 2016 Best Ove ive ever seen just edging it over Briggo Mauger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted November 27, 2016 Report Share Posted November 27, 2016 I only saw fundin ride at the end of his career when he was at wembley. I remember him getting loudly booed at the world team cup final, which the swedes won in 1970.The same Rebel only see him ride for Wembley being a Briggo fan i was not a fan of Ove but he was a great rider he has a great shout to be included as the greatest rider ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 27, 2016 Report Share Posted November 27, 2016 The same Rebel only see him ride for Wembley being a Briggo fan i was not a fan of Ove but he was a great rider he has a great shout to be included as the greatest rider ever. Only saw him ride at Briggo's 'Golden Greats Meeting' at Coventry in 1988. Would have enjoyed watching him in his heyday together with all the other greats of the fifties and sixties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 27, 2016 Report Share Posted November 27, 2016 (edited) Saw him ride at Briggos farewell meeting at Hull and then met him years later at Vojens.Was very nice and had a laugh at how he was disliked by the Wimbledon fans and they used to throw things at him because he beat Ronnie Moore Edited November 27, 2016 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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