Graham Walker (motorcyclist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Graham Walker
Graham Walker in 1921.
Nationality	British
Born	4 August 1896 Wallington, Surrey, England, UK
Died	7 September 1962(1962-09-07) (aged 66)
Motorcycle racing career statistics Isle of Man TT career TTs contested 15 (1920-1934) TT wins 1 First TT win 1931 Lightweight TT Last TT win 1931 Lightweight TT Podiums 6

Graham William Walker (born August 4, 1896 – died September 7, 1962) was a famous English motorcycle racer. He also worked as a broadcaster and journalist. Graham Walker helped create the motorcycle section of the National Motor Museum.

Graham Walker was born in Wallington, Surrey. He was one of five children. He went to Highgate School from 1910 to 1912. Graham Walker married Elsie Norah Fyfield and they had a son named Graeme Murray Walker. His son later became a very well-known motorsport commentator.

Graham Walker's Racing Career

Graham Walker was a motorcycle despatch rider during the First World War. He worked for the Royal Engineers Signal Service. During this time, he got a leg injury. This injury meant he had to ride motorcycles with a special brake pedal.

Despite his injury, he had a very successful racing career. He raced for teams like Rudge, Sunbeam, and Norton.

International Successes

In 1926, Graham Walker was part of the winning British International Trophy Team. He rode a 493cc Sunbeam motorcycle in the ISDT (International Six Days Trial) event in Buxton. He also won with the Silver Vase team in 1928 and 1932.

Road Race Victories

Graham Walker won the Ulster Grand Prix in 1928. He rode a Rudge Ulster motorcycle. This was the first road race win where a rider averaged 80 miles per hour. In 1931, he also won the 350cc class at the North West 200 race. He was riding a Rudge motorcycle for this win too.

Isle of Man TT Champion

Graham Walker raced many times in the famous Isle of Man TT race. In 1931, he won the Lightweight (250cc) class. After his racing career, he became the president of the TT Riders Association.

Life After Racing

During World War II, Graham Walker helped recruit new dispatch riders. These riders were important for sending messages.

Broadcasting and Journalism

After he stopped racing in 1935, Graham Walker joined the BBC. He became a commentator for motorcycle racing events. He worked on both television and radio. In 1949, his son, Murray, joined him as a commentator for BBC motorcycle races.

Graham Walker was also the editor of Motor Cycling magazine. He held this job from 1938 to 1954.

Preserving Motorcycle History

Later, he became a director at the Montagu Motor Museum. Graham Walker loved old motorcycles. His passion helped the museum open a special motorcycle section in 1956. This section helped preserve the history of motorcycles.

Isle of Man TT Race Results

Here are Graham Walker's results from the Isle of Man TT races: