Tyre man Vernon Edwards dies suddenly

The funeral of Vernon Edwards, father of international racer Mike Edwards, will take place on Friday February 15, at 11:30am at The Crematorium, Cemetery Road, Ince, WN3 4NN.

The family say everyone is welcome afterwards at Wheatlea Park, Warrington Road, Wigan, WN3 6XB, but request family flowers only please with donations to the R.N.L.I.

Vernon Edwards had been involved in racing for over 40 years, initially working in the Michelin race service and then, after encouraging Mike to start racing, he tirelessly supported and backed him in all his endeavours for over 26 years.

Vernon worked as a tyre rep for Michelin for 27 years and during the 1970’s was responsible for their UK race service at all major events and struck up a great personal relationship with  Barry Sheene after he had switched  from Dunlop to Michelin.

Unlike the modern era, where most riders used Dunlop tyres in the major classes, in the Seventies Michelin dominated and all the great riders from that era knew Vernon.

Vernon Edwards died suddenly last week aged 79.