Billy Sanders
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- For the US Navy sailor, see Billy C. Sanders
Billy Sanders | ||
Personal Information | ||
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Nationality | ![]() |
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Date of birth | August 9 1955 | |
Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | |
Date of death | April 23 1985 | |
Current Club Information | ||
British League | - | |
Career History | ||
Ipswich Witches Birmingham Brummies Hull Vikings King's Lynn Stars |
1972-1980, 1983-1985 1979 1981 1982 |
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Individual Honours | ||
Australian National Champion | 1979, 1980 | |
Team Honours | ||
World Team Cup | 1976 |
Billy Sanders (born 9 August 1955 Sydney, Australia - died April 23, 1985) was an international Speedway rider who rode for the primarily for the Ipswich Witches in the 1970s.
Contents |
[edit] Career
He finished on the rostrum twice in the Speedway World Championship. In 1980 he finished in third place after a run-off for second place with Dave Jessup. In 1983 he went one better, finishing in second place behind home track specialist Egon Muller. [1]
Sanders was also the Australian champion six times.[2]
[edit] Death
Following the breakdown of his marriage, Sanders committed suicide. The lesson at his funeral was read by former world champion Bruce Penhall.[3]
The Australian national under-23s speedway championship is named the Bill Sanders Trophy in his memory.[2]
[edit] World Final Appearances
- 1977 -
SWE Gothenburg - 9th - 6pts
- 1979 -
POL Chorzów - 5th - 11pts + 1pt
- 1980 -
SWE Gothenburg - 3rd - 12pts + 2pts
- 1983 -
GER Norden - 2nd - 12pts
- 1984 -
SWE Gothenburg - 11th - 5pts
[edit] References
- ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
- ^ a b "Riders chase Sanders trophy", Speedway World
- ^ History 1985, Ipswitch Witches website, URL retrieved 30th December 2006
Categories: People from Sydney | Speedway riders | Australian motorcycle racers | 1955 births | 1985 deaths | Sportspeople who committed suicide | Ipswich Witches riders | Hull Vikings riders | King's Lynn Stars riders | Birmingham Brummies riders | Motorcycle racing biography stubs | Australian sportspeople stubs