The 1978 Individual Speedway World Championship was the 33rd edition of the official World Championship to determine the world champion rider.
Ole Olsen won his third world crown. The final was sponsored by the Sunday Mirror and was attended by 86,500. Gordon Kennett took silver on the day of his 25th birthday and American Scott Autrey won the bronze medal run-off defeating Dave Jessup and Jerzy Rembas. Dave Jessup was effectively denied a World title when after leading in heat 3 he suffered a bike malfunction and finished last in the heat. He then scored 11 points from his remaining rides which would have been enough to take the crown if he had won heat 3.
British Qualification
The British qualifying rounds for the World Championship doubled up as qualifying rounds for the Volkswagen/Daily Mirror Grand Prix. Therefore, many non-British riders such as Ivan Mauger and Phil Crump rode in these meetings scoring points towards the Volkswagen/Daily Mirror Grand Prix qualification - but their scores didn't count towards World Championship qualification.
British Final
August 16, 1978
Coventry, Brandon Stadium
First 4 to World Final
Swedish Qualification
Swedish Final
May 30, 1978
Kumla
First 7 to Nordic Final + 1 reserve
New Zealand Final
February 11, 1978
Wellington
Marked in green, to Austral-Asian Final
Intercontinental Round
Australasian Final
February 12, 1978
Auckland
First 4 to Intercontinental Final
Danish Final
May 15, 1978
Fjelsted
First 2 to Nordic Final (Ole Olsen and Finn Thomsen seeded to Nordic final)