Rex White

[Nordic]

A WORLD-CLASS motorcycle manager who led his championship team to success has died at home.

Rex White, 75, who managed the world championship winning Suzuki team that took Barry Sheene to his two world 500cc titles in 1976 and 1977, died last Wednesday at his home in Copthorne from a heart-related illness.

Mr White, who retired in 1994, began his career with Peter Agg's Trogan Engineering company in 1955.

In 1969 he went on to develop Suzuki's racing interest in the UK.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, the dad-of-two managed the Suzuki GP team in the 1970s and 80s.

Mr White's wife of 21 years, Dorothy, said: "He was such a gentleman and so easy going. We did all sorts of things from his racing. It was a seven-day-a-week job. Everybody he met in his walk of life became a friend."

He leaves wife Dorothy, daughters Elaine and Tracey, Tracey's husband Mark, two grandsons, Jack and Barney, and brothers Don and Gerald.

A funeral service will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, Copthorne, at 3pm on Friday, followed by a service at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium and a reception at the Gatwick Renaissance Hotel. Donations, payable to Manx Grand Prix Helicopter Fund via The Martins.

Sheene died from cancer last March at the age of 52.


With thanks to ics SurreyOnline