BMX racer crushed by roller building track at Halton Place been planted years earlier. "When he was three we had a house with an unfinished basement and he'd ride around down An elite BMX bike racer was killed Saturday there on his three wheeler for hours. He loved afternoon while building a new track at Halton anything fast." Enjoying success on both sides of the border Place in Halton Hills. over the past several years and looking ahead to Tim DaSilva, 20, of Milton died when a roller the Olympics, DaSilva was always eager to give he was operating overturned, pinning back to the sport that had given him so him underneath as he was helping to much. finish construction of a new track at A role model in local BMX circles, he the farm on 15 Sideroad, near Highway and Chris had helped run a number of 25 south of Acton. clinics-- including one for autistic chilFighting back tears on her front dren. lawn Monday afternoon, Zira DaSilva Girlfriend Lyndsey Finn said that recalled her son's passion for the sport. was typical of the avid racer, whom she "I can't imagine any other place he described as "the happiest person ever." could have passed on," said the grief"I don't know what else to say. He stricken mother while surrounded by was always there for everybody. He's family and friends. "That's where he TIM who you'd go to if there was anything would have wanted (to go). He died DaSILVA wrong," she said. "He was a big dreamer living his dream." Among those on his crew was younger broth- as well and was going to make them all come er Chris, a prominent local racer himself who true." Added big sister Jessica, "Tim'll live on forevhad been competing with Tim for the better part er in his family and friends. He'll be missed by of the last decade. Seeing his big brother head up his first track- all who knew him." That's no hollow gesture, given the everbuilding project had been extremely rewarding. growing list of condolences on the Milton Track "Every time he'd finish a new jump there'd be a huge smile on his face. He was so excited," 2000 website, which can be added to by visiting recalled a somber Chris. "I really looked up to www.track2000bmxracing.com. Memorial donations to a trust fund through him." Prosperity One in the young racer's name-- to While the E.C. Drury High School graduate played a number of sports growing up, all took a be used at Track 2000-- can be made at back seat when he discovered BMX racing, said McKersie-Kocher Funeral Home. DaSilva will be laid to rest Wednesday at Milton Evergreen his father Manny. Cemetery. "Once he found racing, that was it," he said. Halton Police, the Ontario Coroner's Office And although he didn't officially start taming the track until he was about nine or 10, his and Ministry of Labour officials are investigating mother said that the love-of-racing seed had the accident. STEVE LeBLANC Special to The IFP