September 2020 - Volume 4 - Issue 9 On The Pegs September 2020 | Page 109

On The Pegs VOL. 4 ISSUE 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020 109
So, before the 1961 season started, Husqvarna announced that it would continue
to support two riders in the half-litre class but giving nothing to the riders in the
250cc class. This meant that reigning champion Bill Nilsson received 10,000 Swedish
Kronor (approx. 2,000 US dollars then) and Rolf Tibblin 4,000. They would both also
benefit from premiums paid out by the factory, which amounted to a few thousand
kronor each, provided the pair were delivering results. However, the world championship
status had yet to be introduced among the 250cc class riders. This was
the last season contenders fought for the European title and it might have had an
influence on the company’s decision to stop supporting 250cc riders. Consequently,
everybody thought that Husqvarna was in for a disaster in 1961. Dark Swedish predictions
gave the series the status of a cliff-hanger, especially as the British manufacturer
Greeves seemed to be at the top with their ace rider Dave Bickers.
“I was content to stay with Husqvarna,” remembers Torsten Hallman. “But I had
to do something with my equipment. I was dissatisfied with the leading-link forks