Leon Haslam's Father Recognized by the Queen

Not many of you know the roots of BMW Motorrad Motorsports’ World Superbike racer Leon Haslam, but true fans of the sport know his father, Ron Haslam, is a former 500cc Grand Prix star and three times World Champion. In recognition of his services to motorcycle sport, Haslam Sr. has been invited to the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last month.

Haslam, who happened to be celebrating his 55th birthday the same day, was one of 10 brothers and sisters, and started racing on a 750cc Norton when 15 years of age.

He went on to contest 106 500cc Grands Prix, finish fourth in the 500cc World Championship and holds a world speed record. He has also won two World titles - the TT Formula One crown in 1979 and the TT Formula Three championship in 1980. Haslam won the grueling Macau GP six times – a record.

Currently, Ron Haslam trains riders and racers alike at the Ron Haslam Race School at Silverstone. Ron also now spends much of his time with son Leon who is racing with BMW in the World Superbike Championship.

“It’s great that dads been recognised by the Queen like this. Everything he has done in his career has been without shouting about it and hes made a big difference to the careers of a lot of riders,” his son, Leon, stated.

“Even when he was in the 500cc Grand Prix championship he would still help privateers in the same race as him and when I was racing in the British Superbike Championship there would always be a young 125cc rider knocking on the motorhome door asking for dad to set up his RS125 for him,” the junior added.