Bill Landels was born in Edinburgh in 1938  and first made his name as a grasstrack rider, winning the Scottish titles in 1958 and 1959. He took up Speedway when Ian Hoskins reopened Old Meadowbank in 1960 and got his first races as a Monarch towards the end of that season. His seven points in the Scottish Open were less impressive than at first glance, being the only finished in one heat but his eight points in the home challenge against Liverpool the following week were well earned.
His Speedway career was interrupted by a two year stint in the army, being one of the last to serve under the National Service scheme and it wasn't until mid 1963 that he resumed in the blue and gold, riding in ten meetings for an average of just over 3.5.
He was a fulltime Monarch in 1964 but missed the latter part of the season after damaging knee ligaments in a spectacular crash in the local derby against Glasgow at the White City in late June.
Never the smoothest of stylists, he got into trouble coming out of the fourth bend and caught his footrest in the fence. This caused him to fall right in the path of the close following Bruce Ovenden, who managed to avoid the sprawling Monarch by ploughing into his bike. Bill  sustained damaged knee ligaments and Ovenden a broken collarbone in a crash, which hardened observers reckoned could have been much worse.His helmet, split right down the middle was a testament to this.
He had upped his average to just under 5.00  something he repeated the following year which saw Edinburgh riding in the newly formed British League. He turned out for Fife Lions in a number of challenge meetings, scoring well at the Cowdenbeath circuit and may well have been in their plans going forward had they not closed that summer.

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He was persuaded to use the Matchless machine for 1966, which never proved up to the task and he lost his team place as his scores dropped off. He rode a few meetings with non league Middlesbrough before buying an Eso from George Hunter. This brought about far better fortunes and he finished the season with a flourish including a paid maximum. The Scottish Open was twice rained off and carried forward to the first meeting of 1967...and what a night, remembered  vividly to this day  when he took the prize with a faultless 15 point maximum on a damp and cold night. Not all his points were won from the gate as laconic Charlie Monk remarked to Ivan Mauger as they made their way to the rostrum  at least he gated on me, he rode around you!"