Shipston legend and motorcycle Grand Prix world champion of the 1950s Cecil Sandford has sadly died aged 95
Shipston legend and motorcycle Grand Prix world champion of the 1950s Cecil Sandford has sadly died aged 95.
The much-loved father of two and grandfather of six competed in the Grand Prix world championships from 1950 to 1957, and is the last surviving champion from the 1950s.
Born in Blockley in 1928, Cecil first showed his talent when he was 19 after purchasing a 250cc Triumph from Arthur Taylor (his future father-in-law) from his motorbike dealership in Shipston.
As well as using the bike to get to and from his work as a carpenter, Cecil competed on it in local scramble and grass track events.
Pat, Cecil’s widow, told the Herald: “My father, who had the garage in Shipston, was always involved in racing. Cecil’s father brought him over and set him up with a bike to race. My father brought him home, so it was his fault we met.
“We’d all go off to the races together.”
Cecil had apparently not considered road racing until Arthur supplied him with an MOV Velocette, and later KSS and KTT Velocettes, on which he was entered for the 350 (junior) TT (Tourist Trophy) at the Isle of Man in 1948.
His first professional move was racing for British car and motorbike manufacturer AJ Stevens in 1950. At the time the company was also home to reigning champion Les Graham who took Cecil under his wing. Cecil later followed Les in joining upcoming Italian manufacturer MV Agusta, and became its first world champion when he took the 1952 125cc title at the Isle of Man TT.
Sales of MV Agusta road bikes doubled as a result of Cecil Sandford's Grand Prix success rate.
Tragically, Les Graham was killed in June 1953 at the Isle of Man TT the morning after winning the senior title. The accident happened at Bray Hill, the steep drop after the start and finish line. Cecil claimed that without Les running the team everything at MV Agusta went to pieces and he looked to move on.
Cecil’s second world championship eventually came in 1957 after he took the 250cc title after signing with Mondial, and winning firsts at the Ulster Grand Prix and Isle of Man TT.
After this Cecil retired from racing and settled into family life in Shipston.
Pat continued: “We were married in 1957. He retired around then when the company [Mondial] gave up racing. My father offered him a job in the business, working in the garage. He did that until they sold the garage, and then he started making the most fabulous furniture – he was an absolutely brilliant carpenter.
“After giving up road racing he did some motorcycle trials in the mud on a Sunday,” added Pat.
The couple had sons Ian and Mark, who added six grandchildren, and the family are united in their grief for Cecil.
Pat said: “At his age death was inevitable, you can’t go on forever, and he did make the most out of life.
“Cecil was very humble, very much a country man and quiet family man. He wasn’t like Phil Read [active 1961-76] or some of those racers.
“I can’t put into words how much we will miss Cecil. He was the sort of dad that played with the children – he loved children, and they loved him. He will be dreadfully missed in the family.”
Racing record
Isle of Man TT debut: 1948, Junior Clubmans TT: DNF (Velocette)
TT victories: 1952 Ultra-Lightweight TT (MV Agusta) and 1953 Lightweight (Mondial)
Grand Prix victories: five (three 125cc, two 250cc)
1950 350cc world championship: 13th (AJS)
1951 250cc world championship: 12th (Velocette)
500cc world championship: 9th (Velocette)
1952 125cc world championship: 1st (MV Agusta)
1953 125cc world championship: 2nd (MV Agusta)
500cc world championship: 15th (MV Agusta)
1954 125cc world championship: 8th (MV Agusta)
1955 250cc world championship: 3rd (Moto Guzzi)
350cc world championship: 5th (Moto Guzzi)
1956 125cc world championship: 13th (Mondial)
350cc world championship: 5th (DKW)
1957 125cc world championship: 6th (Mondial)
250cc world championship: 1st (Mondial)
