Bill Sharpless

By John Hopkins

TORONTO, ON -- Inside Track is saddened to report the death on Sunday of motorcycling icon Bill Sharpless at the age of 73.

A member of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, the Toronto-born Sharpless competed successfully in many forms of motorcycle sport over a 22-year career. Between 1958 and 1961 he was honoured as Canada’s top overall motorcycle racer, he was national enduro champion in 1955, ’66, ’67 and ’72, claimed the Canadian trials title in 1959 and was the national 500cc scrambles (motocross) champion in 1959 and 1960.

Although he never won a national road racing title he was acknowledged as a strong competitor in that discipline as well, and in 1961 he was sponsored by Triumph. A crash at Daytona in the spring of 1962, which left him with a badly broken leg, contributed to Sharpless’ decision to focus strictly on off-road competition.

Sharpless competed in the International Six Days Enduro on five occasions, the first in 1969. He won a Bronze Medal in 1970 and a Silver in 1971.

By 1974 arthritis in his hands had slowed Sharpless’ competition career, and he retired from racing in 1975.

A multi-talented individual who studied mechanical and aeronautical engineering at the University of Toronto and took pilot training in the RCAF, Sharpless also contributed to the Canadian motorcycle industry on the organizational level. He was a founding member of the Nortown Motorcycle Club and spearheaded the organization of over 100 motorcycle events. He refereed at road racing events and acted as a scorekeeper for enduros. He was also an owner of Sonic Motorcycles in Toronto.

Sharpless is survived by his children Toni, Blair and Todd, grandchildren Emma, Riley and Megan, and sister Linda.

A service and reception will be held from 1-4pm on Saturday, Mar. 17 at the Royal Canadian Legion, 1083 Pape Avenue, Toronto. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, 2100 Bloor Street W., Ste 6-126, Toronto, ON, M6S 5A5 or www.motorcycling.ca/cmhfm.html.

To the family and friends of Bill Sharpless, Inside Track extends its condolences.