per jonsson's first appearance in a world final was in 1987 at amsterdam's olympic stadium. the final was held over two days and the 22-year-old finished 5th on both days and was classed as 5th overall. he qualified for the 1988 world final at vojens in denmark and equalled his 1987 result by finishing in 5th place. also in 1988, jonsson won the famed golden helmet of pardubice in czechoslovakia, the oldest speedway race in the world. jonsson became the first swedish winner of the golden helmet since leif enecrona in 1968.