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Bill Nilsson 1932-2013
On
August 25, 2013 the motocross world lost one of the greats, Bill
Nilsson. Bill pictured on the left was from Sweden and won the
500cc World Championship twice. Once (at the inception) in 1957
and again in 1960. We at MXworksbike.com were fortunate to meet
Bill a couple of years ago when he and Sten Lundin (1959 and
1961 500cc World Champion) were traveling through Chicago. Bill
was a real gentleman and a very funny guy. Motocross is very
fortunate to have had a man like Bill Nilsson. Our good friend
Luciano Costa (organizer of the now Imola MX reunion) sent and
allowed us to post a brief letter and photos of the Champion
Bill Nilsson. Please read below.

August
25, 2013. Today the heart of Bill Nilsson has suddenly ceased to
beat. This date will forever be remembered by the world of
motorcycle racing as a bad day. With him went the father of the
motocross world. The city of Imola will remember him forever as
the one who knew how to inflame the minds of the sport with his
great undertakings. Even today, walking in Mineral Waters Park
in Imola, those who have had the honor and privilege to witness
the great carousel of world motocross, examine clearly the
figure of Bill fly beyond any reasonable limit, headlong without
hesitation in the steep slopes of Monte Castellaccio conclude
impossible feats by beating big rivals on the edge of the finish
line. In his ears still ringing clear echo of the roar of its
impetuous heavy and powerful motorcycles, driven with
extraordinary determination and with incredible vehemence
despite the disproportion with the small stature of its rider.
Up to his last days,
Bill has never ceased to devote his energies to the restoration
of vintage motorcycles, practiced with masterful experience and
commitment. The recent photos of December 2012 taken in his
workshop together with his friends on the occasion of the
celebration of his 80th birthday, transpires clearly the passion
for motorcycling accumulated in the course of his entire life. A
few years ago he came to Imola for the exhibition-exchange CRAME
in search of mechanical parts for the completion of its work.
In May 2010 and
2012, the city of Imola has had the honor of hosting this great
champion with the illustrious ranks of the great names of the
international motocross that made the legendary competitions of
Imola and the world. Who has the privilege and pleasure to
personally meet Bill Nilsson in those happy spring days, will
remember him for his playful character, for his merry irony and
self irony, but also for his humble and generous willingness to
relate to all, qualities that make her even bigger figure. On 28
May last year, despite its difficulty walking with the aid of a
crutch, Bill wanted at all costs to participate in a walk in the
historic Mineral Waters Park in Imola along the traces of the
old glorious track, together with great champions like Sten
Lundin, Torsten Hallman, the brothers Derek and Donald Rickman,
Otto Walz and Gunnar Johansson. Climbing uphill climb, step by
step its character if indomitable fighter has allowed him to
reach the summit of Mount Castellaccio. Who was with him saw his
eyes shining, his face light up, perk up as his joy at the end
of one of his greatest victories. Last we had greeted him with a
"goodbye", but fate decided otherwise.
On behalf of myself
and all the sports Imola, I extend to the family of Bill, and in
particular to his son Jeff and his daughter Eva, my deepest
condolences with the promise of giving birth to his figure in
the next few events dedicated to the preservation of the large
international motocross.
Luciano Costa










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