On The Pegs VOL . 4 ISSUE 12 - DECEMBER 2020 89
Race fans that have experienced the Belgian Namur track at the Citadelle know that it is a very special and demanding event . On top of it all , this time it rained heavily , making the track slippery and difficult to master . Despite the weather , 25,000 enthusiasts came to watch Tibblin take two second places in the heats . He had a crash in the second leg and had to regain positions after being last in the field . Coming second under these circumstances was a true achievement , probably the major ride of the entire 1962 season .
“ In Ettelbruck I had to sit in the paddock and watch everybody else racing ,” Tibblin remembered with a smile on his face . “ I had broken down and only needed to see if Johansson won or not . As he didn ’ t , my first world championship title was in the bag . I could hardly believe it . It was a sensational feeling winning the 500cc circus for the first time . I remember I couldn ’ t sleep for days . As in 1959 when I became European 250 champion , I walked around the city for hours , just enjoying the feeling . It ’ s hard to explain , but it was the greatest moment in my life . I was also victorious in the national championship winning four out of five rounds at home . It was truly a fantastic season for me and my Husqvarna .”
Rolf Tibblin won half of the Grand Prix events during 1962 . In seven out of 10 races , Tibblin finished in the top two podium positions , which surely was a new record in MX . To make it even better , Rolf participated in the successful team at the Moto Cross des Nations in Wohlen , Switzerland . The Swedes were so dominating that the four of them crossed the finish line together , holding hands . Husqvarna contributed to this enormous success and Rolf would go on to win yet another 500cc world title in the coming season of 1963 .
It was “ Hammer Time ” for Tibblin , and Husqvarna ! n