1939-2024
Peter Slinger died on 27 June; he was 85. Slinger Motorcycles, Preston, was best known across the country for its remarkable Suzuki spares service, which Peter, with his late wife Barbara, built into the go-to trade supplier for Suzuki spares. Run alongside Slinger’s retail business, the service was supported by a huge range of Suzuki spares. So good was Slinger’s spares operation it was frequently compared very favourably with that of Suzuki UK’s.
He commenced his career in the bike trade as a motorcycle mechanic working for his friend and Honda dealer, Bill Head. He then moved to BAC (now British Aerospace), working on Jaguar fighters and Concorde. Later, he left to set up his own motorcycle business and, shortly after, in 1973, became one of Suzuki’s first franchised dealers with start-up help from business partner and best friend Ken Fleuriot.
Peter and his wife Barbara (who died in 2016) developed the Slingers retail and spares business in Waterloo Road, Preston, over a period of 34 years before retiring in 2007 and selling the business, now Preston Motorcycles, to the MotoGB retail group.
In his earlier days Peter became a highly competitive motorcycle racer (solo and sidecar – with his wife as passenger!) racing in the Manx GP on the Isle of Man as well as the Southern 100 and the Irish road races. He also qualified as a pilot and took part in some air races.
Outside of their shared love for motorcycles, Peter and Barbara were pioneers in their support for social causes in which they were ahead of their time supporting challenges outside the accepted norms and advocating for issues such as sexual discrimination and the education rights of those with learning difficulties. Their philanthropy extended to providing financial and moral support for those in need, offering a second chance to those who required it the most.
He leaves daughter Nicola, and sons Pete (junior), Andrew and David, and sister Nicola Faria.
An appreciation by John Featherstone
It has been my privilege to have known Pete and Barbara since the early 1970s, and, perhaps, the following reflections by son Peter and sister Nicola when I met up with them recently, explains why the Slinger family was very different from many others.
Their bike business opened in Waterloo Road, Preston, in 1973, just as they were buying a house in rural Inskip a few miles away. The business made fast progress with the Slingers’ approachable and knowledgeable reputation quickly spreading amongst the bike-riding fraternity. Alongside that, four children arrived in rapid succession – life was challenging and hectic!
Apart from Peter Slinger, Preston has given us Tom Finney, now in football’s hall of fame, English Electric, a massive employer in the town and the start of BAC, later to be British Aerospace; and let’s not forget, it’s the home of the Bond Minicar!
Back in the 1970s Suzuki, headed by PJ Agg and Maurice Knight, was about to become a more serious challenger to Honda, helped immensely by superstar personality Barry Sheene. Peter Slinger’s Suzuki contribution in the North West was similarly outstanding! Son Pete recalled a prime example of his father’s ‘feel’ for the motorcycle business when Suzuki announced the arrival of its hot-shot GSX-R750. Smaller regional dealers were expected to pre-order up to two bikes, while the larger city-based dealers were required to order six or more. Having done his homework on the bike’s potential and after negotiating a bridging loan secured against the family home, Peter ordered 25 bikes. A few sleepless nights later, all 25 were sold at full retail price!
Pete junior also mentioned the massive amount of business they did with the supply of Suzuki spares around the country and the quirky distinction they had of being appointed sole spares suppliers to the Falkland Islands! Not as crazy as it sounds, many British forces personnel were stationed there after the conflict.
Peter will be remembered as an ordinary man who built friendships and loyalty by just being himself. As Nicola said; “My dad was a lovely man and we are all so proud of him.”