Bermuda's 600cc motorcycle racer Jevaughn Simons burned up the Roebling Road race track at the Wera Nationals in Folkville, Georgia over the weekend.

The 24-year-old motor mechanic took the chequered flag in the 600cc Supersport and Superbike classes on a weekend of racing that was tragically marred by the death of one of the Bermudian's rivals who was involved in a horrific five-bike smash up on turn one at the 2.2 mile race track.

The accident occurred in the 600cc Supersport class, with Bermudian Simons narrowly avoiding the heap of twisted metal.

"There was a five bike pile up in turn one on the first lap and unfortunately the end result of that accident left one person dead," Simons told The Royal Gazette. "But fortunately I made it through without getting involved.

"But the race was red flagged and we had to wait two and a half hours before we could ride again due to the accident."

Simons' averaged lap times of one minute and 17 seconds and was clocked at speeds of 102 MPH over the weekend competing on his GSX -R 600cc racer owned by team owner Aaron Brown - a past fabricator of late NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

Simons also won the 600cc Superbike Class - but did not have things all his own way in a closely fought battle.

"I had to battle a bit harder due to the fact there were guys in that class that had bikes faster than mine," he said.

David Jones, president of Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC), yesterday hailed his member's latest success abroad, describing it as a "truly outstanding achievement". "I'm very pleased to see Jevaughn and all of our riders bearing the fruits of their labor," he said. "Jevaughn is fast proving himself on the world stage while the success of the club is now there for all to see.

"I'm just happy for all of our riders who are achieving success abroad against top competitors. Jevaughn is further proof that we are producing quality riders who are probably among the best in the world." Earlier this month Simons' compatriot Toriano Wilson recorded the fastest lap time competing in the 125cc class at the Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup in California.

"Our riders are just starting to really show their potential and I think Toriano is going to do well this year as well as he's already shown in the Red Bull Challenge," Jones added. "I'm just hoping some of our guys now competing abroad will one day become professionals in their respective classes."