Thirteen legends of the sport were inducted into the inaugural Motorcycling New South Wales Hall of Fame last Saturday at the 2023 Motorcycling NSW Awards. Held at Bankstown Sports Club, the evening featured the recognition and celebration of some of the most talented riders as well as passionate volunteers, coaches, officials and other volunteers for their performance and contributions towards motorcycling over the past year.
These inaugural inductees have each made extraordinary contributions to motorcycling, demonstrating excellence not only in racing but also in advocacy, innovation, and leadership, helping shape the sport’s future.
Motorcycling NSW, along with everyone who attended this year’s Awards night, were greatly honoured to welcome and induct the following thirteen motorcycling legends into the Hall of Fame, in front of their families and friends:
Troy Corser – Road Race
Tom Phillis* – Road Race
Mat Mladin – Road Race
Arthur ‘Bluey’ Wilkinson* – Speedway
Stephen Gall – Motocross
Aub Lawson* – Speedway
Wayne Gardner AM – Road Race
Billy Sanders* – Speedway
Casey Stoner – Road Race
Eric Hinton* – Road Race
Kel Carruthers – Road Race
Lionel Van Praag* – Speedway
Troy Bayliss – Road Race
*Deceased – recognised posthumously and represented by their family.
The Grand Ballroom at Bankstown Sports Park was filled with smiles, tears and pride last Saturday evening, as they listened to the inspiring stories of each of these inductees, some of whom were posthumously inducted and were represented by their families and friends. Expressing his joy and excitement about this first-of-its-kind occasion for Motorcycling NSW, CEO Daniel Rushworth stated: “Being in such fine company of some of our sport’s greatest names certainly made this year’s Motorcycling NSW Awards one to cherish and remember for years to come. It was our honour inducting these thirteen riders who have given so much to the sport while also bringing home so many laurels within and beyond Australia. I once again thank them all for joining us this year at our Awards night.”