DIPLOMAS outlining the achievements of two former speedway champions have taken pride of place in a popular exhibition at Bradford's Industrial Museum.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds, yesterday, presented speedway aficionado John Murphy with certificates honouring Erik Gundersen and Per Jonsson to add to the exhibits already on show.

Gundersen, from Denmark, and Jonsson, of Sweden, both won world championship titles in races at Odsal Stadium, in 1985 and 1990 respectively.

The certificates are designed as a token of the high esteem in which the two men are held in the Bradford district, for their outstanding careers and contribution to speedway on the world stage, and the inspiration they have given to young sportsmen and women.

Mr Murphy said the diplomas constituted a "piece of sporting history" for the city.

"Erik Gundersen and Per Jonsson were two of the most prominent stars of the sport and won the two largest meetings in Bradford, the world championships," he said.

"They were both track record holders at Odsal too.

"It is the only professional sport where two rivals came to Bradford as competitors and left as champions, so it is important to remember them."

The exhibition at the Bradford Council-run museum pays homage to the history of speedway, and includes a display of motorbikes, racing suits, photographs and memorabilia from the sport, including from its hey day at Odsal.

When speedway finals moved away from Wembley Stadium in 1975, Odsal became the sport's new home in the UK.

The stadium hosted two World Championship finals and one Grand Prix event before it closed in 1997.

Footage of the 1985 World Championship final, which Gundersen won 30 years ago today, was being played on the big screen as the Lord Mayor was given her guided tour of the exhibition, which has proved popular among children and families who had never seen the bikes up close before.

Cllr Dodds aid: "I never actually went to the speedway, but I'm obviously aware of how popular it was, it's part of Bradford's heritage.

"Odsal was perfectly designed for speedway and when you look at the old footage, there was thousands of people there.

"This exhibition is great as it triggers memories for people. John is so passionate about it and pushed really hard to get it up and running.

"He really is Mr Speedway."

The exhibition is free and runs until November 1.