Cody Sousa-Saints and Bruce Degrilla Jr's debut races in the United States were overshadowed by the tragic death of a 13-year-old rider at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP in Indianapolis over the weekend.

It was during a warm-up lap at the famed Indianapolis track when Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Washington, fell off his motorcycle and was run over by another competitor.

He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead a few hours later.

Yesterday, the US Grand Prix Racers Union said it did not plan to hold a formal investigation into the fatal accident.

Stewart Aitken-Cade, a spokesman for the sanctioning body, said the union would discuss ways to make the sport safer. He also said safety measures would be reviewed.

The boy who struck Lenz, 12-year-old Xavier Zayat of Flushing, New York, was not hurt.

Aitken-Cade said teen riders must have two years of racing experience, verified by the league, and older riders must help mentor the younger ones.

The nationally ranked American had been getting ready for the day's first race, an event for junior riders aged between 12-16, including Sousa-Saints and Degrilla, which was part of the run-up to a professional Moto GP race.

Lenz's fatal crash evoked memories of the accident that killed talented Bermuda racer Toriano Wilson during a Red Bull Rookies Cup event in August, 2008. Wilson was aged just 14.

Team Tuned president Cyril Whitter, who accompanied the Bermuda riders to Indianapolis, yesterday offered his deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Lenz.

"Team Tuned Motorcycle Racing would like to take this opportunity to send our best wishes and prayers to the family of Peter Lenz who passed away on Sunday," said Whitter.

"Peter was taking part in the USGPRU Moriwaki MD250H Classification at Indianapolis and it was a great pleasure befriending Peter at our first USGPRU event. He will truly be missed."

Sousa-Saints and Degrilla gridded up for the second race of the event in 18th and 22nd place, respectively, based on their qualifying positions.

The pair both made strong starts and made up ground on the riders in front of them in the first two sections of the speedway.

Sousa-Saints finished in 17th place and Degrilla, who was temporarily forced off the track to avoid a crash on lap three, came 18th.

In the first race, Sousa-Saints crossed the finish line in 20th position and Degrilla in 21st.

The pair are currently second and third in the local GP 125cc classes.

Whitter added: "I'm very proud of the accomplishments of Cody and Bruce . . .

"Travelling from Bermuda to compete in this event was a golden opportunity for both of these young men. MotoGP hosted the event, which is the highest level of motorcycle racing competition in the world.

"Bruce and Cody showed major progression over the weekend. Their performances can be measured by their constant improvement of their lap times over the weekend."

Sousa-Saints and Degrilla's next event will be at the New Jersey Motor Sports Park in New Jersey on September 10-11.