Two riders have sadly passed away following a serious multi-bike incident during the British Superbikes Championship.
Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, sustained fatal injuries during Monday’s Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park.
The incident occurred when one rider lost control and fell, leading to a chain reaction involving multiple competitors.
Eleven riders were impacted, several bikes collided, and one briefly caught fire as emergency services responded rapidly.
Trackside medical teams acted immediately. Jenner, rider #86 from Crowborough, East Sussex, received on-site treatment before being moved to the circuit’s medical centre.
He was unable to be airlifted and later passed away due to the severity of his injuries. Richardson, #28, originally from New Zealand
And racing for Astro JJR HIPPO Suzuki, suffered critical injuries and sadly died while en route to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Another rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including trauma to his back and abdomen.
Five additional riders were treated for minor injuries, while three others escaped without physical harm.
Due to the seriousness of the incident and ongoing medical response, the remaining races at the event were cancelled out of respect for those involved.
MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), the organiser of the championship, issued a statement confirming the details:
“At the start of this afternoon’s Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park, exiting turn one,
Old Hall corner on the first lap, there was a chain reaction incident involving 11 riders falling.
The race was immediately stopped, and medical services were deployed. This tragic incident has resulted in two riders losing their lives, and another being significantly injured.”
Cheshire Police have launched a full investigation in cooperation with the Coroner, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board, and MSVR.
A police spokesperson stated: “Emergency services responded promptly to the incident, which led to two riders sustaining fatal injuries and one other being seriously hurt.”
Jenner had recently secured the 2024 British GP2 title with an impressive record of 18 wins out of 20 race finishes.
Riding for Rapid Honda, he was considered a rising talent in the sport.
Richardson had shared a social media post shortly before the race, writing, “Race 2 ready, let’s go!” He was also known for frequently posting about his family, including his young children.
The motorsport community has since expressed an outpouring of grief. Fellow competitor Ben Currie wrote on Instagram: “Gutted for everyone involved.
Two of our finest men lost to the sport we love.” A close friend of Jenner shared: “You made time for others when you didn’t have to. This is heartbreaking. You will be missed, and my heart goes out to your family.”
Photographer Darren Oliver-Jones remembered Jenner fondly: “Owen was a very special young man. I truly believed he would one day become British BSB Champion.”
Tributes to Richardson also poured in, with one fan writing: “Godspeed Shane M Richardson. An incredible talent and a genuinely kind person.”Another added: “Our racing family is heartbroken. Shane’s legacy will live on through all who knew and loved him.”
One more tribute read: “RIP Shane M Richardson. A true gentleman and fierce competitor. This is a deeply difficult day for everyone.” Our thoughts are with the families, teams, and communities affected by this devastating loss.