It is with sadness that we report the passing of Peter Hudson, formerly of Comerford’s Thames Ditton and Italjet.

Born on 13th October 1939, ‘Pete’ as he was known in the trade and beyond, was a keen scrambles and trials rider and was part of the sales team at the mighty Comerford’s business based at Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton and became their Competition Manager, given that the firm had contracts with many of the top line motocross and trials riders at that time.

A draughtsman by trade, Hudson managed the special contract between the 1979 FIM World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber and Comerford’s, given that the Bultaco company was in severe financial difficulty at the time. Pete also looked after Yrjo Vesterinen and Martin Lampkin, both former World Champions on the Spanish made Bultaco.

When the Bultaco brand collapsed, both Schreiber and Peter Hudson transferred to the Italian Italjet brand, with Hudson performing the role of manager to the reigning World Champion, Schreiber.

Pete was married to Gill who died a few years ago and had two sons, Scott and Glenn. Our sincere condolences are conveyed to the Hudson family.

In his early life, Pete ran a newsagents shop, but received an offer of employment from Bert Thorne of Comerford’s and that sealed the end of selling newspapers and magazines for good. Pete ran the Bultaco division of the Comerford’s empire for a number of years, looking after not only riders but dealers as well.

After the demise of Italjet, a machine that was plagued with problems, Pete ran a Spar shop in Farnham, Surrey before retiring.

Former World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber wrote: “Pete was more than a familiar face among trials enthusiasts, he was a true force in our community. A passionate competitor, a natural leader, and a devoted family man.“

“At the end of 1978, it was decided by the Bultaco factory and Comerford’s that London would become my European base. From there, I could train more seriously, improve my mud-riding skills, and find some stability. That’s when fate brought me to the Hudson family in West Byfleet. They opened their home, and their hearts to a nineteen-year-old American kid with big dreams and muddy boots. Pete, his wonderful wife Gill, and their sons Scott and Glenn became my family away from home.“

Pete Hudson passed away peacefully, following a short illness, on Saturday 18th October 2025 aged 86 years.

Funeral arrangements: Hanworth Crematorium, Hounslow Road, Feltham, TW13 5JH at 2.20pm November 7th 2025.

Pete Hudson 1939 – 2025