Aquino Named "Roadrace" Rookie Of The Year
Monday, October 06, 2008
This just in from DMG:
Graves Motorsports' Tommy Aquino is 2008 AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida--AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce that Graves Motorsports Yamaha
rider Tommy Aquino is the 2008 AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year. In his first full professional
season, Aquino finished 14th overall in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented
by Shoei.
AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year honors are awarded to the eligible rookie rider with the most
points accumulated in one of the eligible AMA professional road-race classes, Superbike,
Supersport, Formula Xtreme or Superstock.
"Tommy had an exceptional year in the AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship, and we're
happy to recognize those efforts with the AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year Award," said AMA
Pro Racing Special Projects Manager Bill Syfan. "This young man put in a number of solid rides
against some of America's best road racers, and established himself as a possible front-runner
for 2009. We would like to congratulate Tommy, the Aquino family and Graves Motorsports on a
successful season."
Aquino's closest competitor for the honor was Seth Starnes, who was competing in the AMA
Superstock Series presented by Dynojet. Going into the last round at Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca in Monterey, California, Starnes has accumulated 121 class points to Aquino's 111. Aquino,
however, wrapped up his year with a 7th in the Supersport race, while Starnes carded a 19th in
Superstock. The additional points gave Aquino the edge he needed to claim the award by 2
points, 135 to Starnes' 133.
"It's exciting to win this award," said Aquino, who's from Woodland Hills, California. "I only
completed seven races (because he turned 16 in May) and got top 10 in most of them. I knew
everybody would be a lot better than me at first, but it worked out and was fun."
Aquino added that a big difference between the amateur and pro ranks was the intensity.
"I learned that in the pros, everybody up front is really aggressive, and I had to be aggressive to
do well," he said. "You also have more confidence, though, because you know you're racing
around people who know what they're doing, so close riding and aggressive riding isn't as
dangerous."
Aquino had a successful amateur career before he made the leap to the pro ranks this year.
Aquino was the 2007 WERA National Champion in the 600 Supersport class and finished second
in 600 Superbike Expert last year.
Aquino began riding dirt bikes at age 4 and has been road racing since he started on a YSR50 at
age 9. Although he still rides motocross and occasionally races supermoto, Aquino says he's
focused on road racing and being competitive racing 600cc motorcycles next year.
ENDS
Monday, October 06, 2008
This just in from DMG:
Graves Motorsports' Tommy Aquino is 2008 AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida--AMA Pro Racing is proud to announce that Graves Motorsports Yamaha
rider Tommy Aquino is the 2008 AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year. In his first full professional
season, Aquino finished 14th overall in the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented
by Shoei.
AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year honors are awarded to the eligible rookie rider with the most
points accumulated in one of the eligible AMA professional road-race classes, Superbike,
Supersport, Formula Xtreme or Superstock.
"Tommy had an exceptional year in the AMA Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship, and we're
happy to recognize those efforts with the AMA Road Race Rookie of the Year Award," said AMA
Pro Racing Special Projects Manager Bill Syfan. "This young man put in a number of solid rides
against some of America's best road racers, and established himself as a possible front-runner
for 2009. We would like to congratulate Tommy, the Aquino family and Graves Motorsports on a
successful season."
Aquino's closest competitor for the honor was Seth Starnes, who was competing in the AMA
Superstock Series presented by Dynojet. Going into the last round at Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca in Monterey, California, Starnes has accumulated 121 class points to Aquino's 111. Aquino,
however, wrapped up his year with a 7th in the Supersport race, while Starnes carded a 19th in
Superstock. The additional points gave Aquino the edge he needed to claim the award by 2
points, 135 to Starnes' 133.
"It's exciting to win this award," said Aquino, who's from Woodland Hills, California. "I only
completed seven races (because he turned 16 in May) and got top 10 in most of them. I knew
everybody would be a lot better than me at first, but it worked out and was fun."
Aquino added that a big difference between the amateur and pro ranks was the intensity.
"I learned that in the pros, everybody up front is really aggressive, and I had to be aggressive to
do well," he said. "You also have more confidence, though, because you know you're racing
around people who know what they're doing, so close riding and aggressive riding isn't as
dangerous."
Aquino had a successful amateur career before he made the leap to the pro ranks this year.
Aquino was the 2007 WERA National Champion in the 600 Supersport class and finished second
in 600 Superbike Expert last year.
Aquino began riding dirt bikes at age 4 and has been road racing since he started on a YSR50 at
age 9. Although he still rides motocross and occasionally races supermoto, Aquino says he's
focused on road racing and being competitive racing 600cc motorcycles next year.
ENDS
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