WORLD speedway champion Jason Crump returns to Foxhall Stadium tonight to race in a meeting to celebrate the life of former Witch Billy Sanders.

WORLD speedway champion Jason Crump returns to Foxhall Stadium tonight to celebrate the life of former Witch and fellow Aussie Billy Sanders.

Sanders was just 29-years-old when he took his own life at Nacton, 25 years ago, in a tragic event that shook the Witches team, management and fans to the core.

Twenty-five years on and the popular Aussie, who joined Ipswich as a 16-year-old and was a star on the world stage, is still remembered with affection, with tonight’s Billy Sanders Memorial meeting bringing together a top-class field of Aussies and Brits in a pairs event, that includes world champion Crump.

Director of speedway at Ipswich, Chris Louis said: “We don’t get a chance that often to see the world champion at Foxhall, and even more so this season, as Jason is giving the British Elite League a miss.

“He won the first GP of the season on Saturday in Poland and it’s just fantastic to have him here, not just to race, but to celebrate Billy’s life.

“For Ipswich fans he has always been a rider they love to hate, but only because he is so good and has had so many great races with Witches riders in the past.”

And tonight there will be plenty of former Witches at Foxhall.

Many of Sanders’ team-mates have been invited by the club, including Tim Hunt, Ron Bagley, Olle Nygren, Tony Davey, Andy Hines, Mick Hines, Kevin Jolly, Carl Baldwin, Richard Knight, Rob Hollingworth, Trevor Hedge, Michael Lee, Trevor Jones, Colin Cook, Mike Lanham, Ted Howgego and Jeremy Doncaster.

The meeting will see some of the top young Aussie talent in the country and some of the best British racers on show.

Home favourites Scott Nicholls and Olly Allen are paired together, while the young Aussie pairing of Troy Batchelor and Darcy Ward are sure to be worth watching.

Normal admission prices apply and there will be a special souvenir programme and an exhibition stand with one of Billy’s bikes and other memorabilia on show.

The Evening Star are producing a special goody bag for �1, that includes an Evening Star, Billy Sanders poster and Love Speedway pencil.

Tonight’s line-up: Scott Nicholls & Olly Allen (GB), Jason Crump & Ty Proctor (AUS), Eddie Kennett & Ben Barker (GB), Rory Schlein & Davey Watt (AUS), Tai Woffinden & Danny King (GB), Troy Batchelor & Darcy Ward (AUS)

(N) Billy Sanders four-page tribute in tonight’s Evening Star, including articles from John Berry and Elvin King, and a Billy Sanders poster.

(N) COMING up in tomorrow and Saturday’s Evening Star, get your ‘kids go free’ voucher for Bank Holiday Monday’s meeting with Peterborough Panthers at Foxhall Stadium, start 2.30pm. And on Monday, goody bags on sale for 50p, with the riders available to sign posters before the start of the meeting.