The world of motorsport is mourning the devastating loss of two promising riders, Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson, who tragically lost their lives following a horrific accident at the British Superbikes event at Oulton Park in Cheshire on Monday.
The incident has cast a dark shadow over the opening weekend of the 2025 British Superbikes Championship, leaving fans, fellow riders, and organizers in deep grief.
The crash occurred during the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race, one of the support races of the larger British Superbikes weekend. Just seconds into the race, as riders exited Turn One—Old Hall Corner—a major chain-reaction incident unfolded, involving no fewer than 11 competitors.
What should have been a celebration of speed and skill quickly turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy. According to eyewitnesses and footage captured on television, the accident was sparked when one rider lost control exiting the corner.
That loss of control set off a violent cascade, sending bikes skidding across the track and into one another. Within seconds, several bikes were caught in the melee. One machine was seen launched into the air, while another caught fire, flames briefly engulfing a portion of the track.
Medics rushed to the scene as officials waved the red flag, halting the race immediately. Among the injured, 21-year-old Owen Jenner was one of the most critically hurt.
Despite being treated immediately at the scene and receiving further resuscitation efforts at the circuit’s medical center, he tragically succumbed to a catastrophic head injury. Jenner, known as a rising star in the paddock with a bright future in racing, leaves behind not just a competitive legacy but a personal one marked by humility, focus, and a deep love for the sport.
Shane Richardson, aged 29, was also treated trackside before being transported to the Royal Stoke University Hospital. He sustained severe chest injuries during the crash. Despite medical efforts, Richardson sadly died before arriving at the hospital.
Originally from New Zealand but long active in the British racing scene, Richardson was respected for his grit, talent, and sportsmanship. His loss is deeply felt not only in the UK but across the international racing community.
Tom Tunstall, another rider involved in the crash, sustained significant back and abdominal injuries. He was treated at the medical center before being transferred to the hospital for further care. His condition, while serious, is believed to be stable.
Other riders, including Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes, and Morgan McLaren-Wood, received treatment for minor injuries at the circuit’s medical facility. Fortunately, they did not require hospitalization. Riders Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker, and George Edwards were also caught up in the crash but escaped injury.
In response to the tragedy, MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR), the series organizer, released a statement confirming the fatal outcomes and expressing their deep sorrow.
“Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled. This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries,” the statement read.
MSVR promised to issue further updates and expressed condolences to the families, teams, and fans affected by the incident. The shock has reverberated through the motorsport world, with tributes pouring in for Jenner and Richardson from fellow racers, teams, and supporters who recognized the two men not only for their talent but for their character and dedication.
The weekend had initially shown signs of high competition and excitement. Sunday’s races saw Bradley Ray take a remarkable victory from 14th on the grid, while Leon Haslam celebrated his first British Superbike win since 2018. These early moments of triumph were meant to set the tone for the season ahead, but they have now been overshadowed by this heartbreaking loss.
