Statement by WES Exhausts, Madrid, Spain:

It is with deep sorrow that we inform all the trials enthusiasts about the passing of Jeremy Richard ‘Dick’ Walker, founder and Honorary President of WES silencers, on 20th June, 2022 at Brecon, Wales.

Dick was a pioneer in the development of special parts for motorcycles.

A trials rider from his youth, he started his business in Birmingham in 1973 producing special silencers and other components, such as mudguard stays and brake arms, all in aluminium alloy, for the trials motorcycles of the period.

In a short period of time, the success of the silencers took him to specialise in these parts that became a reference for the improvement of any trials motorcycle.

From Birmingham he then moved his ‘WES silencers’ business to premises in Brecon, Wales in the mid-eighties, until his retirement when he sold the company to ARS Trial Parts, his Spanish importer from the beginning of the nineties.

Dick continued then with the new company as design and quality adviser and is made Honorary President.

His passion for trial sport continued for the rest of his life. After a large number of participations in the SSDT, some with works supported Kawasaki machines, he continued spectating at the competition annually, both the six and two day events.

He was also a regular visitor to the Telford Show.

His friendship with the Spanish importer took him to many trials in Spain, namely several editions of the Robregordo Two-Day, a name that he never reached to pronounce properly.

With a very independent character and great vitality, Dick was also a big enthusiast of steam railways and he travelled the world chasing them with his camera.

It is remarkable his countless trips to China for this reason. He experienced firsthand the explosive development that this country has experienced recently… and the disappearance of the steam trains.

José Franqueira, CEO of WES Silencers: “We are going to miss very much the powerful and beloved personality of Dick Walker. One year before celebrating the 50 years of the beginning of WES silencers activity, I think that the best tribute that we can offer him is, to be guided, when we start a new project, by his preferred requirements, simplicity, efficiency and strength.”