1980-1989
Pete Dean
Born: June 7, 1937
Died: May 6, 1984
Buried:
Age: 46
Full Name: Peter Malcolm Dean
Nickname:
Location: El Mirage Dry Lake, California
Event: SCTA
Accident Date: May 6, 1984
Vehicle: truck
Biographical: He was a member of the San Diego Roadsters Club. In an attempt to supposedly improve aerodynamics, he was driving a pick-up with the tailgate down. He was a longtime SCTA member and racer and was survived by his wife, Judy. He was a member of the El Mirage 200 MPH Club. SCTA honored him by renaming their sportsmanship trophy the Pete Dean Memorial Sportsmanship Trophy.
Sources
Wendy Jeffries, e-mail communication to site administrator, May 22, 2010
California Death Index (Peter Malcolm Dean, born June 7, 1937 in Washington, died May 6, 1984 in San Bernardino Co., mother's maiden name was Engen)
California Marriage Index (Peter M. Dean married Judith A. Hensley/Bottoms on May 27, 1967 in San Diego, Cal.)
Social Security Death Index (Peter Dean, born June 7, 1937, died May 1984, SS# issued in New Jersey)
Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter 93
Society of Land Speed Racing Historians Newsletter 111
Photos
Vaifro Meo
Born:
Died: December 11, 1984
Buried:
Age:
Full Name:
Nickname:
Location: El Barreal, San Juan, Argentina
Event:
Accident Date: December 11, 1984
Vehicle: Garelli - Kreidler 50cc motorcycle
Biographical: While trying to set a world record speed mile, the engine of his motorcycle exploded. He was killed instantly when his motorcycle overturned. An experienced rider, he had been attempting land speed records since the 1950s, The motorcycle on which he crashed is in the Fangio museum.
Sources
Photos
Tommy Watts
Born: June 1, 1922
Died: March 2, 1980
Buried:
Age: 57
Full Name: Thomas Henry Watts
Nickname:
Location: Rosedale-Longford Road, near Sale, Victoria, Australia
Event: Australian Land Speed Record for Trucks
Accident Date: March 2, 1980
Vehicle: twin Rolls Royce jet engined-1956 Foden "Puff the Magic Dragger" truck
Biographical: The speed trials were held on a blocked-off six-kilometer section of the Rosedale-Longford Road. On the date of the race, Watts had broken four Australian speed records for trucks for the distances of standing quarter and half mile and half kilometer and the flying mile. He was re-running the flying kilometer due to a dispute over the time he recorded earlier. It was during this re-running attempt that he had his fatal accident. He veered off the road into gravel at about 155 MPH. He was thrown from the cabin when the truck overturned and died instantly. He lived in Williamstown, owned a service station, and was the father of seven children.
Sources
"Jet truck crash kills driver," Sydney Morning Herald, Mar. 3, 1980
Photos
Ancestry.com
"Jet truck crash kills driver," Sydney Morning Herald, Mar. 3, 1980