From a press release issued by Team Velocity Racing:

AUGUSTA, Ga. Team Velocity Racing started the 2008 WERA National Endurance Series season last weekend during round one at Roebling Road Raceway. The four-hour race marked Rory Partin’s debut as a Team Velocity Racing (TVR) rider after two years of dedicated work as a team crew member.

Along with co-riders Mike Wheelis and Jimmy Vanderhaar, Partin earned fourth in Mediumweight Superstock and 10th overall on the TVR 136 Yamaha R6. Their sister team, TVR 131, also ended the race on a high note after Chuck Ivey, Zac Chapman and Reuben Frankenfield won Heavyweight Superstock and finished fourth overall on their Yamaha R1.

The great start to the season was cause for celebration Saturday evening following the race, and the successful day took on a deeper meaning after Partin was fatally injured in a crash during a sprint race the following day.

“Rory was a great friend and teammate,” said TVR team owner Chuck Ivey. “He excited everyone with his passion for racing. Rory had a great talent for racing motorcycles, and a gift for touching people’s hearts with his smile and wonderful personality. It is an honor to have had him be a part of TVR and an even greater honor to have had him as my friend. I know he will be with us, watching and cheering us on. We all will miss Rory dearly. He is now truly larger than life.”

TVR would like to extend its condolences to Partin’s family and friends, and is proud to have called Partin a teammate over the past two years. He will be fondly remembered as a friend, teammate and racer.