R.I.P.: WERA Co-Founder Dr. Peter Frank

R.I.P.: WERA Co-Founder Dr. Peter Frank

© 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. By John Ulrich.

Dr. Peter Frank, a racer and the 1973 co-founder of the club that became WERA Motorcycle Road Racing, has died as a result of injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash in Key West. He was 76 years old.

He is survived by his wife and WERA co-founder Patty O’Brien Frank; their son A.J. and his wife Allison Peacher Frank; and grandaughter Brenna Frank. Five days ago, AJ Frank posted on Facebook, “Life presents many challenges! This one will test us to the max. Friday evening Dad was involved in an accident on his bike on his last evening in Key West. He was flown to Miami and his injuries are serious. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we have no idea what’s ahead of us to get there! Y’all know how much this man means to us… I will do my best to update but please be patient! What we need at this point is y’all to send all the prayers and positive vibes you can! Much love and thanks in advance.”

Peter Frank (right) with wife and business partner Patty O'Brien Frank, son AJ, and daighter in law Allison.
Peter Frank (right) with wife and business partner Patty O’Brien Frank, son AJ, and daughter in law Allison.

Peter and Patty Frank in 1992, after Peter won his class in the Pan-American car road race in Mexico
Peter and Patty Frank in 1992, after Peter won his class in the Pan-American car road race in Mexico

In a press release issued today, current WERA Motorcycle Road Racing owner and CEO Evelyne Clarke stated, “Yesterday, March 4, 2021, we got the news that Dr. Peter Frank passed away from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident in Key West, Florida on the 26th of February. He was flown to Miami and he succumbed to his injuries. Doc was the patriarch of WERA he and his wife, Patricia O’Brien Frank, were co-founders of WERA….In 1976 he moved WERA from Pennsylvania to Beaufort, South Carolina and in 1978 I was working as an official for WERA in the North Central Region. In 1984 Peter and Patty asked me to join them in purchasing WERA back from the then owner, and entrusted me with the day-to-day operations and well being of WERA. They welcomed me with open arms and taught me the ins and outs.

“To say Peter Frank touched many lives is not enough-–he was a Doctor to many and always kept his love of motorcycles and riding alive. I have many stories I could tell about Doc but my favorite was after I came down to South Carolina he took Patty and I to a ball at Rose Hill Plantation and I’ll never forget when we got there he said, ‘Ladies, lift those ball gowns up’ (we had on antebellum dresses with the giant hoop skirts) and he pulled bug spray out of his pocket and sprayed under them so we would not get eaten up by the South Carolina bugs. He was always looking out for people. We will miss him terribly and send our love and prayers to his wife, Patricia O’Brien Frank, his son, AJ Frank and his wife Allison and daughter Brenna and all those who mourn the passing of this one of kind individual. Rest in Peace Peter and know you left a legacy!”

A recent photo of WERA co-founder Peter Frank.
A recent photo of WERA co-founder Peter Frank.

More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Peter Frank with Jay Leno at a car show in 2013
Peter Frank with Jay Leno at a car show in 2013

Latest Posts

MotoAmerica: Scholtz Confirmed With Former Squid Hunter Racing Team

Squid Hunter Racing Transforms Into Strack Racing With Yamaha...

WorldSBK: Championship Resumes This Coming Weekend At Catalunya

Destination Barcelona: WorldSBK gears up for its 450th Round What...

Ducati Wins In Motocross Racing Debut

Historic debut of the Ducati Desmo450 MX in the...

MotoGP: Ducati Signs Aldeguer For 2025 And Beyond

Ducati Corse Announces Two-Season MotoGP Agreement with Fermín Aldeguer The...

American Shedden Racing In CIV PreMoto3 Italian National Championship

American Shedden Racing in Italy’s CIV Italian Speed Championship...