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this has been the longest day of my life. Toriano was my rider and this was the first weekend his family wasn't at. Myself and his other Manager had him since Thursday and every moment was a blessing. Tori did absolutely everything we asked of it this weekend and was having the best overall weekend of the season. He was relaxed, so pumped on the track, not worrying about laptimes or how he finished, just doing what we talked about at riding for the pure joy of it.
We walked the track twice Friday and the T6 eases were his favorite place to watched. We watched Spies go so fast thru there that he caught air as we both started yelling and screaming 'omg omg'.
After Sundays warmup Tori came beaming out of the truck saying 'man I had so much fun! You see me and Benny? That was fun-ion!" The boy had no idea he just beat Saturdays pole and didn't believe me when I told him. "were you thinking about fast laps this morning? Beating Benny? Going fast?" "NO, I did what we all talked about and just worked on my sections and loosened up" "Well what happened Tori?" "Good things!!" "You going to worry about those things now? Before the race?" "NO!!!!" (while grinning that huge grin)
Jesus I was so proud and happy at that moment. To see him happy, loose, mentally smart, and riding the way he was.... man it was magic moment. To be laying on the track two hours later, my head next to his helmet, just trying to wake him up with my voice and his name. To be in the hospital for 18 hours, bringing his just landed parents in, to sitting in the airport right now in tears. Damn. It's hard to love this sport I love sometimes. I keep expecting him to pop up around the corner cracking some jokes. Was he really throwing pillows at my head a few hours ago to wake me up?
Toriano is a remarkable young man and I am honored to have him come into my life. If you haven't met any of the Rookies yet you owe it to yourself to go say hi. They are awesome kids and just make you smile. I was going to bring him up to Loudon for the September weekend and have him ride with us. He was looking forward to it and I know he would have had a great time with everyone. Damn..just damn.. I've been up for almost two straight days, sorry I'm rambling.
Please please keep little Lucho in your thoughts as he has a long rode ahead of him and a heavy heart. Also Torianos family, friends, and all of Bermuda, as the country is tiny and when one is cut, we all bleed. I really didn't think my first time back to my homeland of Bermuda in 12 years was going to be under this dark cloud.
RIP my friend and save me a spot on the grid.
-alex dunstan
If you'd like to leave direct comments to the family please see here: Messages for the Wilson Family - RIP Toriano - 13x Forums
Saturday at VIR
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Originally Posted by 5TOEZ
Please send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
