Racing Community Mourns the Death of Race Announcer Brian Drebber
Longtime motorcycle race announcer Brian Drebber passed away today, August 23, from injuries sustained after a collision with a deer. Drebber was en route to the airport on his motorcycle from his home in Georgia to fly to Pittsburgh to commentate on this weekend’s MotoAmerica round at Pittsburgh International Race Complex.
Drebber was 68 years old.
Racing Announcer Brian Drebber Dies In Motorcycle Accident
“The entire MotoAmerica family is saddened today by the loss of Brian,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Brian had a passion for our sport that was evident in his announcing. He was a big part of our paddock and he will be missed.”
Drebber was a professional cyclist in the 1970s and that’s where he got his start in announcing. He began announcing and commentating on motorcycle racing in the late 1970s and has been the lead track announcer for MotoAmerica since it took over the AMA Superbike Series in 2015. He was formerly a TV sportscaster for the old Speed Channel.
“It breaks my heart to learn that Brian Drebber passed away this morning,” said beIN motorcycle sportscaster Greg White. “Brian had one of the biggest hearts in all the world. His generosity is a major reason why I have a career in television. He was many things to many people, but what Brian taught me about being a human being first and competitor second will live with me forever. Brian always had a great way of being in the moment while exploring, at length, the past. His passion and voice will be missed around the motorcycle racing paddock and beyond.”
Drebber is survived by his fiancée, Mara Yetter, daughter, Robin von Drebber, and granddaughter, Kylie von Drebber.
