Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita has been killed following an incident during practice for the Isle of Man TT races.
The 43-year-old lost his life after crashing out at Ballacyre.
Mr Matsushita had hours earlier been officially unveiled as part of the high-profile Tyco Suzuki team of Josh Brookes and Guy Martin, agreeing a deal to compete for the Northern Ireland outfit in the Supersport class on the blue and white GSX-R600.
His best result at the TT was fifth in the TT Zero race in 2011.
A statement issued by the event organisers, the Auto Cycle Union, said: “ACU Events Ltd regrets to announce that Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita, 43, was killed during the qualifying session at the 2013 Isle of Man TT races in an incident at Ballacrye in the North of the Island.
“The session was immediately red-flagged following the accident.
“Yoshinari, from Saitama in Japan, was an experienced racer who first competed at the TT races in 2009.
“As well as competing regularly in the Superstock and Superbike classes he also finished fifth in the 2011 TT Zero for electric bikes. He was also the 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.
“The ACU wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Yoshinari's family and friends.”
Isle of Man TT clerk of the course, Gary Thompson, said Mr Matsushita was a 'genuine and friendly character'.
“Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT races paddock.
“He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.”
The Coroner of Inquests has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.
Practice on Monday evening was untimed and restricted to Supersport and Superstock machines due to wet roads and mist on the Mountain.
The 43-year-old lost his life after crashing out at Ballacyre.
Mr Matsushita had hours earlier been officially unveiled as part of the high-profile Tyco Suzuki team of Josh Brookes and Guy Martin, agreeing a deal to compete for the Northern Ireland outfit in the Supersport class on the blue and white GSX-R600.
His best result at the TT was fifth in the TT Zero race in 2011.
A statement issued by the event organisers, the Auto Cycle Union, said: “ACU Events Ltd regrets to announce that Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita, 43, was killed during the qualifying session at the 2013 Isle of Man TT races in an incident at Ballacrye in the North of the Island.
“The session was immediately red-flagged following the accident.
“Yoshinari, from Saitama in Japan, was an experienced racer who first competed at the TT races in 2009.
“As well as competing regularly in the Superstock and Superbike classes he also finished fifth in the 2011 TT Zero for electric bikes. He was also the 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.
“The ACU wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Yoshinari's family and friends.”
Isle of Man TT clerk of the course, Gary Thompson, said Mr Matsushita was a 'genuine and friendly character'.
“Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT races paddock.
“He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.”
The Coroner of Inquests has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.
Practice on Monday evening was untimed and restricted to Supersport and Superstock machines due to wet roads and mist on the Mountain.
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