Les Archer

By John Bramall

We are sorry to record that Les Archer, former Scrambles and Moto Cross Star, died in Spain on December 18, at the age of 90, having sadly almost recovered from a Stroke suffered some 18 months previously. Born into a famous motorcycling family, Les began racing in the late 1940s, road and track- alongside father Les (known as L J) achieving considerable success both on the Island, and on home circuits, astride New Imperial, Norton, Velocette, and other machinery. Archers of Aldershot was, of course, the family business.

At the same time, young Les was using a Velocette MOV in Scrambles, which on many occasions was "converted" overnight from its tarmac specification to off- road, for which Ron Hankins built several very special OHC Nortons, on which Les and Eric Cheney began racing internationally. I do not have the whole of Les Archer's results to hand, but I can say that in the 1951 British Championship he was Runner Up to Geoff Ward, and in 1952 Les was third, the year when John Avery won. In 1953 he turned his attention to the International scene, and he achieved an overall 5th place, Belgium's Auguste Mingels being overall European Champion. In 1954 he was outside the first 5, whilst 1955 was John Draper's year, with Les 5th.

And so to 1956, which was for sure the year of Les Archer. Run over 9 Rounds, held in Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France, GB, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden and Denmark, with the best 4 results to count, Les was unbeaten, and indeed his gross score of 41 points was the highest score recorded in the 5 year history of the tournament. The British Grand Prix that year at Hawkstone Park was another happy hunting ground for Les, achieving victory at Brands Hatch in 1952 ahead of John Draper, and Belgium's Nic Jansen. After that Les had passed his peak, being 5th in 1957, and 6th in 1959.

In addition to winning countless 500cc MX GPs, Les won the overall European Moto Cross Championship in 1956, despite all the "Technical Experts" stating how a camshaft engine could not possibly prove as competitive in this ultra rugged sport as a traditionally configured OHV. Les was rarely seen in UK events in the 1960s, preferring to compete in mainland Europe -particularly in France - where he and his unique machinery were always a popular attraction.

The Moto Cros des Nations was another happy hunting ground, GB achieving overall victory in 1952, ahead of Belgium and Sweden, and Les playing a major part by winning the Final.

As a postscript almost to his outstanding racing career, there was a Winter of racing at Twesledown Racecourse over several years, and one year (perhaps around 1970 as I recall) where Les Archer raced the camshaft Norton against much more modern machinery. Neither was any longer a winner, but he was able to record places in the first 6 of the Expert Races, but most of all it was a great joy for older spectators to see Les and the Norton in action, and his Father Les, doing the commentary, from the Steward's Tower, a job he undertook for several years.

Once out of his leathers Les ran a successful Sports Car business in Farnborough, specialising in MGs and Triumphs, rather than Maserati/ Ferrari etc, ultimately retiring with his French wife to Calpe in Spain, indulging his passion for boats, and the less dangerous pastime of boules. Although a highly competent trial and ISDT rider, it is still somewhat anomalous that Les is still not accepted as one of the UKs greatest all-rounders. More importantly though, he will long be remembered as a superb ambassador for motorcycle sport, and for always behaving like a Champion should.

With thanks to Mike Jackson, on whose contribution this obituary has been based.