UKBMX Starter Les Slater

We’re now topping over 40 years of BMX racing history in the UK, which also means over 40 years of officials and behind the scenes people who have contributed so much to the sport. It’s a tall order to give each and every one a nod, but we’ll try to highlight as many as possible as we continue to move forward, post, and document.

For starters, there’s a long list of legendary names, but maybe one of the most well known early figures has to be Mr Les Slater. Dad of Tony, and much like his counterpart during the peak years, Vic Roberts, Les was featured regularly in the mags and appeared on TV when BMX was shown.

Who can forget the clip of him disqualifying Brian Patterson for jumping the gate at the Gateshead round of the 1984 Kellogg’s series, which was broadcast on the show’s end credits.

This shot of Les was in the August 1983 issue of BMX Action Bike and, from the looks of it, could have been taken at the Halfords NEC indoor event.