World Title Year
The 1993 season was supposed to see the last of the 'one off' world finals before the Grand Prix was introduced (this was not the case and the GP system did not begin until 1995) Sam was again one of the pre season favourites. At the world final in Pocking, Germany, Sam had a fantastic start to the meeting winning his first three rides. In Heat 15 Sam met fellow title contender and three time World Champion Hans Nielsen. In the first staging of the race, Nielsen was adjudged to have knocked Sam off his machine and was excluded. In the re-run Sam shed a chain entering the first bend, however fellow American Billy Hamill ran into the back of him and the referee controversially ordered a re-run with the three remaining riders. Sam & many others felt he deserved this slice of luck after all the bad luck in previous world title attempts. Sam duly won the third staging of the race and after gaining an unbeaten 12 points from his 4 rides, Sam could afford the luxury of coming last in his final outing & still be crowned World Champion. After his World final triumph, Sam was virtually unbeatable. He again led the USA to Pairs and Team cup glory. At the latter, he beat his old enemy Nielsen in a last heat decider on the Dane's home Coventry circuit. He was also unbeaten as the USA whitewashed England in a 3 match Test Series. It also looked as though he would again lead Wolves to league title triumph however, cruelly, a broken leg put an abrupt end to his season and this combined with injuries to other key members of the side, meant Wolves narrowly missed out on winning the league to the Belle Vue Aces.
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