Young bike racer dies after racetrack crash

By James Whittaker
Toriano Wilson – ‘the golden child’ of Bermuda motor racing — has died after being involved in a high-speed crash at the Virginia International Raceway yesterday.
The 14-year-old racing prodigy was involved in a three-way crash on turn six of lap one of the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup series race.
He was airlifted to UNC Hospital in North Carolina by helicopter but later died from his injuries.
A spokesman for the Red Bull race series confirmed: “Toriano Wilson, a road racer from Bermuda, fell on the track during the first lap and was accidentally struck by another rider while attempting to get out of the way.
“Toriano was airlifted to UNC Medical Center for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead early Monday morning.”

The youngster — who had been tipped to become Bermuda’s first professional motorbike racer — made a huge impression in his first year on the Red Bull circuit — a junior race series and academy for future pros.
Paul De Couto, spokesman for the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club who coached Toriano and took him to press interviews locally, said he was the best young rider the island had ever produced.
“He was our golden child out there. The whole club is lost for words.
“Our condolences go out to his family. I can’t imagine what his dad Dennis must be going through.
“Bike racing was something they shared and it brought the whole family so close together.
“Toriano was doing so well and he had all the big sponsors looking at him. This was his passion. He was so confident and comfortable out there. For a small town boy to go out there and do what he was doing was amazing.”
Wilson finished fourth in his first race on the Red Bull circuit and had been tipped by former world motorcycling champion Kevin Schwantz, who worked with all the young riders on the circuit, as an international star in the making.
DeCouto said he had left the local field — including some of Bermuda’s top senior riders — standing when he had returned to the race in the local GP 125 series a few weeks ago.
“He was definitely destined to be a star. He had so much talent,” added DeCouto.
Ras Mykkal, well-known sports photographer and former motocross racer, said the tragedy had hurt the whole sports community in Bermuda – especially those involved with motorsports.
“I was looking forward to reading about Toriano in the World Championships in years to come.
“He was very talented — a bright, young hope for Bermuda and he had an opportunity to do something that he loved the most — to race at the international level.”

Comments

[Amy Heidel]

I was present at the race Sunday & am deeply saddened by the news of Toriano's death. I want to express my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. It has been such a pleasure to see him race.

Amy Heidel
Burlington, NC, USA

[Kelly Smith]

THE GOLDEN RACER KID OF BERMUDA WILL B SAIDDLY MISSED MY MANY! TORIANO "THE ANIMAL" WILSON - 14 YEARS OLD N BERMUDAS TOP RIDER! I USE TO WORK AT THE TRACK HERE IN BERMUDA N I ENJOYED WATCHIN TORIANO BEAT OUT OTHER MALES THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE GAME FOR FAR MORE YEARS THEM HE WAS. I WILL NEVER FOR GET CHERING HIM ON THE SIDELINES AT THE ST DAVIDS RACE TRACK ON SUNDAYS! HY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS PARENTS ESPECIALLY HIS DAD ALL INTO GETTIN HIM TO THAT LEVEL OF GREATNESS N TO HIS BROTHERS N SISTER KEEP YA HEADS HIGH N HIS MEMORY ALIVE!

K. SMITH
ST GEORGES, BERMUDA

[Tryangle]

I'd like to add my condolences to Toriano's family as well. Bermuda has lost an amazing young talent, but I think that his successes will serve as an inspiration to many other youngsters.