THE OLE OLSEN TAPES 1 - Ivan Mauger

This is a clip from Retro Speedway's 2023 DVD, The Ole Olsen Tapes.

OLE OLSEN, the trailblazer, was Danish speedway’s first tracksport great.
Born in Haderslev on November 16, 1946, he became Denmark’s first motorsport world champion in 1971 and added two more world individual titles to his impressive collection of FIM gold medals at Wembley, in 1975 and ’78.

The ‘Great Dane’ inspired a new generation of his countrymen to take up the shale sport in the 70s and 80s, leading his nation from international obscurity to world rulers.

As a rider, he guided them to a sensational first World Team Cup triumph in 1978, and again in 1981 and ’83. He and Hans Nielsen were crowned Denmark’s first World Pairs champions in 1979 at Vojens, the track Ole built and opened four years earlier.

When he retired from racing at the end of 1983, he was still Coventry’s number one rider and reached his 12th individual world final. In his eight years with Bees – following three seasons with Newcastle (1967-69) and six with Wolverhampton (1970-75) – he captained the Midlanders through their greatest era, including successive British League championships in 1978 and ’79.

After hanging up his leathers, the astute master motivator team-managed his country to back-to-back WTC victories, in 1984 and ’85 – the first to achieve the feat as rider and manager.
But not everyone appreciated his methods. His controversial role as personal manager and guru to Erik Gundersen, whom he guided to consecutive world titles in the mid-80s, caused a massive rift with Denmark’s other leading star Hans Nielsen and upset some of the ‘suits’ in the ruling Danish Motor Union.

His subsequent years as the Speedway Grand Prix Race Director and track curator also occasionally ruffled feathers in high places.

Here, in his own candid words, Ole opens up about his speedway life and times and doesn’t duck a single question in two exclusive compelling interviews with Retro Speedway’s Tony McDonald. The first – an edited two-hour audio recording – was conducted at Ole’s Sommersted home in January 2008. The second – at BSI Speedway’s London HQ – was filmed eight years later.

As ever, the visionary Ole offers forthright views (“British speedway should close down for two years”) – on all aspects of the sport he has served with distinction and an enduring passion. Whether you agree with his opinions or not, Olsen has always been a very interesting subject and will forever be recognised as one of speedway’s most influential movers and shakers.

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