American Suzuki spokesman Morgan Broadhead confirmed today that Steve Young, father of Suzuki support rider Blake Young, died Saturday night in a car accident while returning home to Madison, Wisconsin from a motorcycle race. Before he was picked up by the Suzuki Sports support team program, Blake Young was sponsored by his father’s motorcycle shop. Blake Young currently rides for Matsushima Performance Suzuki; last year, he rode for Millenium KWS Suzuki. Blake Young graduated from high school last month, and Steve Young hosted a barbecue in the pits during the Road America AMA National to celebrate. More details will be posted as they become available. Godspeed, Steve Young. FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: Our family met Steve and Blake Young last year at Road America at the AMA races. Our teenage daughter, Katie, was delighted to be Blakes’ umbrella girl for both of Blake’s races. From the moment we met at the track we found them to be a very nice and hospitable family, they even invited us to dinner Friday night and lunch the day of the races. Not only Blake and Steve, but even Blake’s crew were great. When it came time for Katie to go out onto the track Steve Young was a wonderful chaperone, a very protective father figure, and escorted her like she was royality even though she was the one in awe of them. When the raceday was over Katie asked not only for Blake’s autograph on the umbrella that they gave her to keep but also for Steve’s autograph as well. She still cherishes the experience and the umbrella to this day. And I know she’ll be very sad to hear of Steve’s death, as much as I and my husband, Joe, were, later this morning when her father tells her about it. Meeting the Young family was as big a highlight for us as the races were. We will always remember Steve. Our sorrow cannot compare to that of the Young family. Our condolences to all of them. May God bless them at this time. Mary Beechler Phoenix, Arizona