Issue 17

[BigFatDave 258]

Fans of Billy Sanders might like to know his legend lives on -

From WORLDSPEEDWAY:

 

The BILLY THE KID Cup.

 

The five round 2007 Linddales Labour Hire Australian Motorcycle Speedway Championship Series will see the best placed rider under the age of 23 awarded the inaugural Billy Sanders Trophy.

 

Sanders was a legend in Australian Speedway Motorcycling – taking no less than six Australian Speedway Championships and twice stood on the podium in the World Speedway Championships. He passed away in tragic circumstances in England in 1985.

 

 

Sanders enjoyed rockstar-like status in Sydney during the 1970’s when he was at his absolute peak. The venue that shot Billy to prominence – the Sydney Showground – makes a return to Australian Championship Speedway at it’s new home in Sydney Olympic Park after an absence of 27 years.

 

Billy was the last to win an Australian Championship at the old Sydney Showground in 1980.

 

 

"For many years we have been thinking about an appropriate way to honour Billy," Sanders’ nephew, Craig Wallace said. "When it was suggested the Billy Sanders Trophy be struck for the 2007 Championships, we had no hesitation in giving it our full support.

 

 

"We feel it very fitting to be involved with this prize for the best rider under the age of 23 in the Linddales Labour Hire Australian Championships, particularly as Championship Speedway will be returning to the Sydney Showground, where Billy was a legend."

 

Accompanying the perpetual trophy will be a fantastic prize courtesy of MJM Speedway Spares – a pair of new Daytona Race Boots.

 

"Billy’s legacy continues to live on in the sport in Australia despite it being over 20 years since he passed on," said MJM Speedway Spares proprietor, Matt Jones. "I think it’s fair to say that Billy’s efforts on the international stage inspired many young Australian Speedway riders to pursue a career overseas.

 

"Not only that, his performances on home soil were – for many years – without peer. We are honoured to be involved with this prize, which is sure to become one of the most sought after in Australian Speedway racing."

 

"The Sanders and Wallace families would like to thank MJM Speedway

 

Spares for their association with the Trophy and also Championship Co-Ordinators Power Productions, without who’s persistence, this would not be possible," Craig Wallace concluded.

 

The seeded riders eligible for the Billy Sanders Trophy are as follows*:

 

-Troy Batchelor (Qld)

 

-Jason Doyle (NSW)

 

-Chris Holder (NSW)

 

-Rory Schlein (SA)

 

-Cameron Woodward (Vic)

 

*These five riders may be joined by some or all of the four qualifiers from the Qualifying Meeting on December 30, 2006 at Gillman Speedway, Adelaide.

 

I can see Corey being in the mix.

 

Great Tribute to Billy and to whoever is good enough to win it. Go Rooboy!