| November 2, 2017
Tom White R.I.P – Tom White, one of the motorcycle industry’s most iconic and beloved figures, passed away peacefully today, Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 9:07 am, surrounded by family members in his Villa Park home.
Tom White R.I.P
White was diagnosed with cancer in April of this year and fought hard, but the disease had already progressed too far.
Tom was a nationally ranked flat track racer and working at Orange County Cycles in the service department during the early seventies, when he partnered with his twin brother, Dan, to form White Brothers Performance Products. Tom later bought his brother out and built the aftermarket shop into an industry powerhouse that raked in over $37 million in 2000, the year that he sold it for an undisclosed sum.
Tom had been enjoying collecting and restoring old motocross bikes for years alongside his son, Bradley. When Brad suffered a catastrophic head injury in 1997, Tom used his collection of over 200 bikes to raise money for the High Hopes Head Injury program in Orange County, hosting events at his “Early Days of Motocross” museum.
Tom White R.I.P
Tom White and his creation – the Early Days of Motocross museum. Photo: Joe Bonnello
White was a diehard racer at heart and rarely missed a Saturday at REM at Glen Helen Raceway, where he also served as race announcer during the AMA National Motocross Championship and FIM Grand Prix races held there over the years. His genuine enthusiasm and a love for the sport that he wore on his sleeve endeared him to racers and fans alike.
Tom was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2014 and will receive the Dick Hammer Award from the Trailblazers MC next April. His legacy will live forever, not only in his Early Days of Motocross museum and the hearts of motorcyclists everywhere, but in the minds of every racer on the starting gate at the Dubya Vet World MX Championships this weekend at Glen Helen Raceway, an event he founded 33 years ago.
Tom is survived by his wife Dani, daughter Kristin Anderson, sons Bradley and Michael and three grandchildren. Godspeed, Tom.
By Steve Bauer
Tom White R.I.P
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