Les Archer

One of Britain’s most successful motocross riders, LES ARCHER JUNIOR passed away on December

18, 2019 aged 90, in Spain, where he had lived since his retirement.

Les was born into motorcycling royalty – both his grandfather and father raced successfully and established a thriving motorcycle business (Archers of Aldershot) in the 1930s which continued after the war. In 1947 Les Senior and Junior both competed in the Isle of Man TT – dad on a 250 New Imperial in the Lightweight TT and young Les in the Clubman’s class on a 250 Velocette where he finished a fine third. The father and son team also competed in the 1948 TT on Velocettes.

Although he was enjoying a successful time in road racing, young Les’ interests shifted to scrambles where he really shone, especially after the head mechanic at the business, Ron Hankins, put together a very special Manx Norton scrambler, a machine that was to achieve legendary status. In fact, there was a series of the Manx specials, each one more refined, and Les and his traveling companion Eric Cheney scored countless successes on the motocross version of the Continental Circus in the 1950s. In 1956, Les and the Norton won the European Championship – forerunner of the 500cc World Motocross Championship which began in 1957. He scored ten Grand Prix wins during his career which continued into the 1960s.

ABOVE Les Archer at the 2011 Goodwood Revival where he rode his original Manx Norton in a demonstration event along with other British motocross greats. ABOVE RIGHT Les Archer ready for practice in the 1948 TT where he rode a 350 Velocette in the Senior race.