Cypress, CA – February 3, 2014 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is deeply saddened by the passing of former Yamaha U.S. road racer Tommy Aquino, who died yesterday in a training accident while riding on a motocross track in southern California.

Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., said, “All of us at Yamaha are mourning the tragic loss of Tommy Aquino. He was a bright light in the racing paddock, a very talented rider, and we enjoyed having him as a member of our racing team. Our deepest condolences go out to Tommy’s father and mother Tom and Carrie, and to Tommy’s younger brother Michael.”

Josh Herrin, 2013 AMA Pro SuperBike Champion, Tommy’s former Yamaha teammate, and lifelong friend of Tommy and his family, commented, “It’s hard to believe that he is really gone. I woke up this morning hoping that it was all just a bad dream. Tommy was an unbelievable person and will be deeply missed by people in the racing community across the world. He was like a brother to me and will never be forgotten. I love you, buddy.”

Bob Starr, General Manager of National Communications for Yamaha’s Motorsports Group, added, “The thing I’ll remember most about Tommy is his smile. It was infectious. He was always smiling and always had a great attitude about life. He brought a lot of happiness to us at Yamaha and to racing fans around the world. He was a great person and a great rider, as well. We’ll miss him, as will his thousands of fans.”

Tommy competed aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6 in AMA Pro Racing, as well as WERA. He was a former member of the Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha team, where he competed in AMA Pro Racing’s Daytona SportBike class. In 2011, Tommy won the final Daytona SportBike race of the season aboard his Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and he finished third in the DSB championship that year. He also earned four pole positions in DSB during the time he raced with Yamaha.

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