Big turn out for Cradley legend Billy Hamill
Legendary speedway ace Billy Hamill was overwhelmed by the massive turnout for his return to the Black Country.
'The Bullet,' who made over 300 appearances for Cradley in the old Dudley Wood days, is in the country for the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup.
The 44-year-old Californian appeared, along with former Cradley team-mates and members of the current USA side, at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill in front of over 200 fans in an event supported by Motor Market of Cradley Heath.
And the 1996 world champion said: "I can't believe that, here I am, 24 years after I first rode for Cradley Heath before they closed down, here I am in this venue with hundreds of supporters, it's pretty special.
"There were so many people I hadn't seen for years and it was pretty special to have my former manager Colin Pratt and my old team-mates here too. I can't thank everyone enough for making this happen."
Heathens stage their prestigious FAST Golden Hammer at Wolverhampton tonight, a meeting Hamill won in 1996.
The Brierley Hill event was hosted by broadcaster Nigel Pearson, who led Hamill through his memories of riding for the Heathens.
Hamill joined fellow Californian Greg Hancock at the club in 1990 and remained until, it folded, signing with Elite League Belle Vue Aces for the 1997 season.
But while the Heathens had spent 1996 at Stoke's Loomer Road Stadium after being evicted from Dudley Wood, Hamill was also celebrating the high point of his career – the world championship – when he outscored the home favourite Hans Neilsen in the final round on Vojens, Denmark.
After spells with Coventry Bees and Oxford Cheetahs, Hamill returned to the Black Country to ride for Wolverhampton in 2006-7, and also competed in Poland and Sweden. He was also a six-time USA national champion.
By Nigel Pearson
