A Tribute to fellow Folly officer Bill Slaney, who passed away on Thursday 15th March 2007

The last time most of us saw Billy was at the Donington track day last September. He was a bit under the weather, although in typical Billy style was making the best of things and looking forward to next season with the Folly. What none of us realised was that Billy was in the early stages of a battle with lung cancer which eventually took his life on Thursday 15th March 2007.

Billy had a lifetime enjoying motorcycles and motorsport. After school he worked for several years for BSA despite a love and ownership of Triumph parallel twins. He later joined his father in his wood carving business and over the years his work has been commissioned by many prominent places including Woburn Abbey. Much of his work was for quality Parker Knoll, G Plan and Ercol furniture. He was proud that for the last 15 years or so he carved the trophies awarded by Riders for Health to the leading Grand Prix riders and his work is treasured by the likes of Doohan, Mamola, Schwantz, Rainey, Lawson, Biaggi and Capirossi all of whom knew him and had time for a chat. Similar work for Mercedes resulted in him being their guest at Le Mans 24 hours and other GT1 races. He loved helping the Folly and his wife, Pat, is pleased that the Folly gave him so much pleasure.

Despite never riding on track Billy was a regular part of the Folly scene, organising late arrivals and acting as "Accident Report Man". He was a familiar sight trundling around the pits and paddock on his "geriatric's trike" (a bike accident some years ago meant that he walked with a limp) meeting those recovered from the trackside and capturing their details for our records and thus permitting their appearance in the post day report "hall of shame". Like all the other officers he was an unpaid volunteer who came to Folly days for the pleasure they gave him.

Our experience of Billy was of somebody who always had a good word about everybody. It was always a pleasure to sit and have chat to him about bikes or anything else you care to mention.

We shall be holding 1 minute of noise at the May 15th Mallory Park event this year as a mark of respect to Billy.

Jackie, Jeff and all of the Folly Officers.