Tributes to speedway star pour in

Aug 3 2007 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular former Midland speedway rider who has died aged 72.

Pete Jarman, who was known as "Speedy Pete" and starred in the 60s and 70s with Wolverhampton and Cradley Heath, died last month after a long illness.

Speedway riders and others connected with the sport are expected to attend his funeral service at Poole Crematorium on Monday at 2pm.

His widow Ann said that Pete began his speedway career with Eastbourne in the early 60s before spending several seasons with Wolves.

He then went on to join neighbours Cradley Heath and also rode for Oxford before returning to East-bourne, where he finished his riding career in 1977.

Londoner Pete later crossed to the other side of the fence, working in track preparation and maintenance at Poole before retiring 10 years ago.

Pete and Ann had four children, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Mrs Jarman said she had received letters and calls from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand following Pete's death.

"Ivan Mauger, who won the world championship a record six times, spent an hour on the phone with me from his home in New Zealand.

"He started his career around the same time as Peter and had fond memories of him," she added.