GODSPEED! ROGER WESTON (1937-2016)

Roger Weston.

It is with great sadness and personal loss that we announce the passing of Roger Weston, former president and co-owner of Arai Helmet Americas. Mr. Weston died from injuries sustained in an accidental fall several weeks ago. He passed peacefully after being taken off life support, and was surrounded by his wife and children. Roger was 79.

Roger B. Weston was born on August 16, 1937, in New York City. He was the first of his family to be born in the United States. His parents, Harold and Anne (Brumpton) emigrated from England along with his older brother, Harvey. After living in Florida for a few years in his youth, Mr. Weston returned to New York City. While still a teenager, he began competing in motorcycle enduro racing, a sport in which he competed for decades. At the same time, he started in the motorcycle industry as a warehouse employee at a newly formed motorcycle accessory distributor, working his way up to vice president before leaving to start Arai Americas in 1979 after meeting and forming a relationship with Mr. Michio Arai of Arai Helmet Ltd. He built the Arai Americas company from its small U.S. beginning to a position as arguably the U.S. industry’s premier helmet brand. Mr. Weston was the President and co-owner of Arai Helmet Americas until his retirement in 2012; he continued as a consultant to Arai until his death. He is survived by his wife of over 55 years, daughter Suzy Sciancalepore, son Brian, eight grandchildren, his older brother Harvey and nine nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers or cards, Mr. Weston stipulated that he, fittingly, wanted donations to the Roadracing World air-fence charity to protect crashing racers. The Roadracing World Action Fund, is a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization which promotes the use of soft barriers to help prevent rider injuries at racetracks nationwide. Donations may be made in memory of Roger Weston, online with a credit card at www.Roadracingworld.com/actionfund, or via PayPal to [email protected] sent to: Roadracing World Action Fund, PO Box 1428, Lake Elsinore, CA, 92531.

Godspeed, Roger. You were a good man. You won’t soon be forgotten, especially by all the riders and racers who owe their lives to the Arai helmet brand.