Billy Sanders

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For the US Navy sailor, see Billy C. Sanders
Billy Sanders
Personal Information
Nationality Flag of Australia Australia
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
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

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  2. ^ a b "Riders chase Sanders trophy", Speedway World
  3. ^ History 1985, Ipswitch Witches website, URL retrieved 30th December 2006
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