Sammy Miller
Encyclopedia
Samuel Hamilton "Sammy" Miller, MBE
(born November 11, 1933 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a championship winning motorcycle
racer, in both road racing
and trials. He was awarded an MBE
in the 2009 New Year Honours.
, three victories at the North West 200
, as well as coming 3rd in the 1957
250cc Grand Prix in championship.
Miller raced mainly for Ariel motorcycles
, including both trials events and the Isle of Man TT
races. When Ariel were absorbed by BSA
in 1964, he formed a partnership with a Spanish
firm, Bultaco
, and went on to become the lead developer of modern two-stroke trials motorcycles. The bike he created was the Sherpa T. This was done in 12 days, realizing his success when he finally cleaned a section on the Sherpa that was uncleanable on his famous Ariel. In his later professional racing career, Miller was involved with Honda
.
Miller is best known for the 500cc Ariel HT5 that he lightened considerably from standard ex-factory condition. The bike was famously known by its UK registration mark, GOV 132. It is now an exhibit in the Sammy Miller Museum (see below).
Miller switched from Ariel to Bultaco at the 1965 Scottish Six Days Trial
. He rode in a Saturday trial on the Ariel and won, then the next day switched to the Bultaco, winning again. During the 1960s he won the Scott Trial
six times, twice on an Ariel and four times on a Bultaco.
He set up his own motorcycle parts business in 1964 in New Milton
, Hampshire
, and put a few of his old racing motorcycles in the corner, later to become the Sammy Miller Motorcycle museum
. In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
. His sold his parts business as Sammy Miller Products in 2007.
Today, Miller is still winning events.
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born November 11, 1933 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a championship winning motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
racer, in both road racing
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
and trials. He was awarded an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Career
After attending his first race at the age of 16 in 1951, Miller followed a career involving both road, dirt/grass track racing and motorcycle trials. Miller became British Trials Champion 11 times and won the European Trials Championship twice. In his continuing career, Miller is a winner of over 1300 trials, nine gold medals and the International Six Days TrialInternational Six Days Enduro
The International Six Days Enduro is the oldest 'off road' motorcycle event on the FIM Calendar.The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England. It has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II, at various locations throughout the world. The early...
, three victories at the North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
, as well as coming 3rd in the 1957
1957 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1957 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 9th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of six Grand Prix races in five classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc and Sidecars 500cc...
250cc Grand Prix in championship.
Miller raced mainly for Ariel motorcycles
Ariel (vehicle)
Ariel was a bicycle, motorcycle and automobile marque manufacturer based in Bournbrook, Birmingham, England. Car production moved to Coventry in 1911. The company name was reused in 1999 for the formation of Ariel Ltd, a sports car producer.-History:...
, including both trials events and the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
races. When Ariel were absorbed by BSA
Birmingham Small Arms Company
This article is not about Gamo subsidiary BSA Guns Limited of Armoury Road, Small Heath, Birmingham B11 2PP or BSA Company or its successors....
in 1964, he formed a partnership with a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
firm, Bultaco
Bultaco
Bultaco was a Spanish manufacturer of two-stroke motorcycles from 1958 to 1983.-Origins:The origin of the Bultaco motorcycle company dates back to May 1958. Francisco "Paco" Bultó was a director of the Montesa motorcycle company founded in 1944. After several years of steady growth and road racing...
, and went on to become the lead developer of modern two-stroke trials motorcycles. The bike he created was the Sherpa T. This was done in 12 days, realizing his success when he finally cleaned a section on the Sherpa that was uncleanable on his famous Ariel. In his later professional racing career, Miller was involved with Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
.
Miller is best known for the 500cc Ariel HT5 that he lightened considerably from standard ex-factory condition. The bike was famously known by its UK registration mark, GOV 132. It is now an exhibit in the Sammy Miller Museum (see below).
Miller switched from Ariel to Bultaco at the 1965 Scottish Six Days Trial
Scottish Six Days Trial
The Scottish Six Days Trial is an internationally recognised Motorcycle trials competition, which has been running since 1909 making it the oldest motorcycle trials event in the world...
. He rode in a Saturday trial on the Ariel and won, then the next day switched to the Bultaco, winning again. During the 1960s he won the Scott Trial
Scott Trial
The Scott Trial is a British motorcycle trials competition run over an off road course of approximately 70 miles. One of the most challenging trials events in the UK its appeal is to clubman riders as well as international professional riders...
six times, twice on an Ariel and four times on a Bultaco.
He set up his own motorcycle parts business in 1964 in New Milton
New Milton
New Milton is a market town in south west Hampshire, England. The town has a high street and holds a market every Wednesday. Situated on the edge of the New Forest, the town is about 6 miles west of Lymington town centre and 12 miles east of Bournemouth town centre.-History:New Milton dates back...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, and put a few of his old racing motorcycles in the corner, later to become the Sammy Miller Motorcycle museum
Sammy Miller Motorcycle museum
The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum was set up in 1964, after the former championship winning trials rider Sammy Miller set up a parts business in New Milton, Hampshire, England....
. In 2007 he was inducted into the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
. His sold his parts business as Sammy Miller Products in 2007.
Today, Miller is still winning events.
Support for charity
Miller is a patron of the National Association for Bikers with a DisabilityNational Association for Bikers with a Disability
The National Association for Bikers with a Disability or NABD is a Registered Charity in the United Kingdom and in Scotland. The NABD gives technical advice and financial grants to help to adapt motorcycles, sidecars and trikes for use by disabled riders. It also gives advice on training and...
.
External links
- Sammy Miller career statistics at MotoGP.com
- Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum website
- Sammy Miller Products website
- Motorcycle Hall of Fame