Leslie James Archer (20 June 1907 – 2001) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

leading

motorcycle racer Motorcycle racing (also called moto racing and motorbike racing) is the motorcycle sport of racing motorcycles. Major varieties include motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Ot ...

of the 1920s, competing in long-distance speed trials,

hill climbs Hillclimbing, also known as hill climbing, speed hillclimbing, or speed hill climbing, is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course. It is one of the oldest forms of motorsport, since the firs ...

and scrambles, now known as

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

.Les Archer obituary
/ref> Archer was the son of an

Aldershot Aldershot () is a town in Hampshire, England. It lies on heathland in the extreme northeast corner of the county, southwest of London. The area is administered by Rushmoor Borough Council. The town has a population of 37,131, while the Alders ...

motorcycle dealer. Riding for the

New Imperial New Imperial was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by Norman Downes in Birmingham, between 1887 and 1901, and became New Imperial Motors Ltd in 1912, when serious production commenced. New Imperial made innovative motorcycles that emplo ...

factory, he set several speed world records at the

Brooklands Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England, United Kingdom. It opened in 1907 and was the world's first purpose-built 'banked' motor racing circuit as well as one of Britain's first airfields, ...

motor racing Motorsport, motorsports or motor sport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events which primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles. The terminology can also be used to describe forms of competition of two ...

circuit. Archer was also a regular competitor at the

Isle of Man TT The Isle of Man TT or Tourist Trophy races are an annual motorcycle racing event run on the Isle of Man in May/June of most years since its inaugural race in 1907. The event is often called one of the most dangerous racing events in the world ...

with a best finish of fourth place at the

1934 Events January–February * January 1 – The International Telecommunication Union, a specialist agency of the League of Nations, is established. * January 15 – The 8.0 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, Nepal–Bihar earthquake strik ...

Senior TT The Senior Tourist Trophy is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival, an annual event traditionally held over the last week in May and the first week in June. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festi ...

, aboard a

Velocette Velocette is a line of motorcycles made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green, Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling almost as many hand-built motorcycles during i ...

. He retired after the 1948 Isle of Man TT, in which his son,

Les Archer, Jr. Leslie Archer best known as Les Archer Jr. (27 February 1929 – 18 December 2019) was an English people, English former leading motorcycle motorcycle sport, racer of the 1950s, competing in long-distance speed trials, road racing and scram ...

, also competed. He continued to run the family business in Aldershot and followed the fortunes of his son, who went on to win the 500cc

European motocross championship European Motocross Championship is the European championship of motocross racing, organized by the FIM Europe, from 1988. Categories Since 2014 the 65cc, 85cc, 125cc, 150cc, 250cc, 300cc and Open classes have taken on the names EMX 65, EMX 85, E ...

in 1956. His shop also employed

Eric Cheney Eric Cheney (5 January 1924 – 30 December 2001) was an English motorcycle racer, designer and independent constructor. He was known as one of the best motorcycle frame designers of his era, concentrating mainly in the off-road competition afte ...

, who went on to become one of the top British motorcycle designers.Eric Cheney obituary
/ref>

References

1907 births 2001 deaths English motorcycle racers Isle of Man TT riders Sportspeople from Aldershot {{England-motorcycle-racing-bio-stub