Dean Berta Vinales Passes
D
ean Berta Vinales suffered
fatal injuries in a multiple
rider incident near the end of the
first WorldSSP300 race during
WorldSBK round in Jerez, Spain,
September 24-26. The 15-year-
old Vinales Racing Team Yamaha
rider crashed while riding at the
front of a group just outside the
top 10.
The wording of an official
WorldSBK press release stated,
"Berta Vinales was involved
in a multi-rider incident at turn
one, with the race immediately
red flagged. The rider suffered
severe head and thoracic inju-
ries. Medical vehicles arrived at
the site immediately and the rider
was attended to on track, in the
ambulance, and at the circuit
Medical Centre. Despite the
best efforts of the circuit medical
staff, the Medical Centre has an-
nounced that Berta Vinales has
sadly succumbed to his injuries."
All Saturday track activity was
halted and then canceled after
the incident.
The cousin of MotoGP rider
Maverick Vinales and WorldSBK
rider Isaac Vinales, Berta Vina-
les was in his rookie season of
WorldSSP300 racing.
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VOLUME 58 ISSUE 39 SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 P29
Dean Berta Vinales passed away as
a result from injuries suffered while
competing in the WorldSSP300 class
during the WorldSBK round at Jerez.
Vinales was the cousin of MotoGP
rider Maverick Vinales.
Kehoe Announces
Retirement
H
onda HRC MX Team Manager Erik Kehoe recently announced
his retirement.
Kehoe raced professionally in the late 1980s and early '90s
before managing the Honda of Troy/Yamaha of Troy race program
for seven seasons. He then managed the factory Honda Team from
2002 through 2012 before returning in 2018. During his tenure as
Honda's manager, he's earned five AMA Pro MX National Champi-
onships and two AMA Supercross Championships.
"This decision to retire was very difficult, but at the same time,
I know it's time to slow down my pace," Kehoe said. "I would like
to thank American Honda, and [Manager of Sports & Experiential]
Brandon Wilson in particular, for giving me the chance to return to
the team this last time. I really wanted to help get Honda some posi-
tive momentum in supercross and motocross, and this past season,
I think the team has enjoyed many successes. I've truly enjoyed my
time here, but it's time to focus on some personal projects that I've
been putting off for some time."
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