Billy Mills (racing driver)
Encyclopedia
William Arthur Frank 'Billy' Mills (South African racing driver
) Born: 3 January 1898; died: 16 September 1937
Billy Mills was born in South Africa
in 1898. His father was a transport rider, and then a farmer in the Umlaas Road area. Mills was among the tough motorsport pioneer
s in South Africa, racing a series of ‘cutdown’ modified American saloons and then an imported Aston Martin
Ulster in the early South African Grand Prix
. The Ulster, one of just 21 built, was bought from the works on 7 July 1936 at a cost of £1,100. However, he was arguably better known for his long-distance, record-breaking efforts back in the 1920s, notably the ‘runs’ from Durban
to Johannesburg
and Pietermaritzburg
to Durban using Chryslers and De Sotos. Mills was also among the early South African aviation
pioneers, owning a Leopard Moth
based at Oribi airfield. He competed in two South African GPs both at East London, in 1936 in his converted Plymouth
two-seater 'Pyroil Special', finishing sixth and in 1937 in the Ulster retiring on lap one. He placed thirteenth in the 3rd Kimberley 100 held on the Paardeberg Road Circuit on 5 October 1936, and sixth in the 1st Coronation 100 held on Maritzburg’s Alexandra Park Circuit on 31 May 1937. Mills did not finish the 1st Bloemfontein Blue Riband held on the Brandkop Speedway on 2 August 1937, and finished sixth and seventh in the two heats making up Silver Springbok Trophy on the Lord Howe Circuit on 21 August 1937. Mills died suddenly in Pietermaritzburg in September 1937, aged just 39 years and nine months, from heart failure
brought on by influenza
and pneumonia. His grandson is Dr. Greg Mills
, an expert in international affairs.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
) Born: 3 January 1898; died: 16 September 1937
Billy Mills was born in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1898. His father was a transport rider, and then a farmer in the Umlaas Road area. Mills was among the tough motorsport pioneer
Innovator
An innovator in a general sense, is a person or an organization who is one of the first to introduce into reality something better than before. That often opens up a new area for others and achieves an innovation.-History:...
s in South Africa, racing a series of ‘cutdown’ modified American saloons and then an imported Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
Ulster in the early South African Grand Prix
South African Grand Prix
The South African Grand Prix was first run as a Grand Prix motor racing handicap race in 1934 at the Prince George Circuit at East London, Eastern Cape Province...
. The Ulster, one of just 21 built, was bought from the works on 7 July 1936 at a cost of £1,100. However, he was arguably better known for his long-distance, record-breaking efforts back in the 1920s, notably the ‘runs’ from Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
to Durban using Chryslers and De Sotos. Mills was also among the early South African aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
pioneers, owning a Leopard Moth
De Havilland Leopard Moth
-See also:...
based at Oribi airfield. He competed in two South African GPs both at East London, in 1936 in his converted Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
two-seater 'Pyroil Special', finishing sixth and in 1937 in the Ulster retiring on lap one. He placed thirteenth in the 3rd Kimberley 100 held on the Paardeberg Road Circuit on 5 October 1936, and sixth in the 1st Coronation 100 held on Maritzburg’s Alexandra Park Circuit on 31 May 1937. Mills did not finish the 1st Bloemfontein Blue Riband held on the Brandkop Speedway on 2 August 1937, and finished sixth and seventh in the two heats making up Silver Springbok Trophy on the Lord Howe Circuit on 21 August 1937. Mills died suddenly in Pietermaritzburg in September 1937, aged just 39 years and nine months, from heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
brought on by influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
and pneumonia. His grandson is Dr. Greg Mills
Greg Mills
Gregory John Barrington "Greg" Mills heads the Brenthurst Foundation, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Foundation was established in 2005 by the Oppenheimer family to strengthen African economic performance....
, an expert in international affairs.