At your command my captain ! 72 years ago, Leslie Graham became the first 500cc champion in history. A forgotten man, bearer of a rich history. The British, on AJS, is however little known although his career fully deserves a mention on these pages. A look back at the history of the military pilot, ace among aces, Sir Leslie Graham.
It all began in 1929. Aged 18, young Leslie became passionate about car and motorcycle racing. Reckless, he entered several different events, starting with rounds on land. One thing leading to another, he knits his passion which will take him to the highest peaks.
In 1936, he reached a milestone. THE Ulster Grand Prix opens its doors to him. For those who don't know, the Ulster GP is part of the road racing trinity, along with the Tourist trophy of the Isle of Man and the North West 200. The Macau Grand Prix would also like to discuss… Organized since 1922 in Northern Ireland, Ulster is a myth.
The Great Leslie Graham
Without much success, and this is normal for this type of event, he did not give up and, before the start of the Second World War, he ran the three events mentioned above. Unfortunately, for him and millions of others, he was called to combat in World War II.
His piloting skills and his attraction to the air sent him to the Royal Air Force in 1940. On board the legendary
Avro Lancaster, he made a name for himself during flights over Nazi Germany. He reaches the rank of captain (flight lieutenant in English, he is a deceptive false friend, by equivalence, he would be captain in the French army),
a very prestigious distinction.
Carrying out his missions with a masterful hand, the authorities awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross, a high award given for “for one or more acts of valor, courage or dedication accomplished in flight, during active operations against the enemy”. We are still talking about the third highest British military distinction; definitely, we are dealing with a gentleman.
After his demobilization in 1946, “ THE' ", as he calls himself, returns to the circuits. On behalf of AJS, it appears very honestly on different occasions until 1949, the date of the first motorcycle world championship in history.
Graham is again called by the AJS squadron to represent the firm. The twins “ porcupines », or “porcupines” in French, hoped to keep up the pace against the formidable Gilera four-in-line. Norton, supported by experienced drivers such as Johnny Locket or Harold Daniell, will hope to make aging machines triumph.
The first season opens on the Isle of Man. Leslie knows the TT…but he is not the only one. Leading on the last lap, the war veteran finally thinks he has his first victory along the mountain. This was without counting on a magneto problem, which appeared a short distance from the finish line. Determined, he decided to push to secure 10th place. Not the dream start to the championship.
A completely different era... here, Dario Ambrosini at Monza in 1949.
In reality, the rest of the season will be less tense. By winning at Bremgarten and Ulster, Graham won the 500cc race one race before the end, even though he had fewer points than
Nello pagani, his rival. His victory is due to an archaic points system, where only the best results count. This made it possible to absorb losses due to mechanical breakdowns, which were common at the time. At 37 years and 341 days, he is still the oldest champion in history.
In 1952, Leslie finished second behind Umberto Masetti, the brilliant Italian rookie. Too old, he slowed down his activity a little until the 1953 Tourist Trophy. In 125cc, he finally won, at the age of 41, his first victory on the grandiose Isle of Man track. Just a few days later, a violent fall at Bray Hill threw him from his mount. The unfortunate man died instantly.
The story of Leslie Graham is above all that of a hero, of a pilot from another era. This is why we must emphasize these atypical profiles, important for motorcycle history, but not only that.
May “Les’” and all the others rest in peace.
Cover photo: Winterbergen / ANEFO Assen 1950
