New Zealander Shane Richardson has tragically died following a doube-fatal crash involving 11 bikes during a British Supersport Championship race, according to reports.
As reported by the BBC, Richardson, 29, and English rider Owen Jenner, 21, sustained fatal injuries in a first-corner incident at Oulton Park, located just south of Liverpool.
Originally from Wainuiomata, Richardson received initial medical attention at the scene before being transported to the circuit’s medical centre. He was then transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with serious chest injuries but sadly passed away before arrival.
Fellow Kiwi competitor Morgan McLaren-Wood was also caught up in the crash but escaped with minor injuries.
The Supersport Championship is a support category that runs alongside the British Superbike series.
Richardson, a father of two, had dedicated his life to the sport.
Raised in Lower Hutt, he relocated to the United Kingdom in pursuit of a career in professional motorcycle racing, a passion he had followed for 24 years.
Outside of racing, he worked as a test rider for Triumph Motorcycles in Leicestershire and ran his own joinery business. The crash occurred during the third race of the event, which marked the opening round of the 2024 British Supersport Championship.
A statement from the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing described the crash:
“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 trackside medical services deployed.
“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 Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary.”
Adrian Cox, the general manager of Whites Powersport, which had sponsored Richardson, spoke to the Herald about the loss’s impact.
“Richardson was completely passionate about what he was doing and loved what he was doing,” Cox said.
“It’s just absolutely devastating news that a young Kiwi travels over to the other side of the planet to live his dream, and it all comes unstuck in such a tragic way.
“It’s a dangerous sport, but there’s a lot of safety elements within the sport, so you don’t hear of too many people dying, so when it does happen, it’s still super tragic and super painful because it doesn’t happen every day, it doesn’t happen every year.
“It’s huge for our community. The road racing community in New Zealand is pretty small and pretty tight, and a lot of people are going to be affected by it.”
Allan “Flea” Willacy, organiser of Whanganui’s Cemetery Circuit—an event where Richardson had been a regular competitor—also expressed his sorrow to the Herald.
“It’s very, very sad news.
“Shane’s such a gentleman, lovely guy, [would] do anything for anybody.
“It’s a sad loss to the motorcycle community in general, of course; for Hannah (his partner) and two children, it’s absolutely devastating.
“It’s the nature of the beast, I’m afraid, though, isn’t it? He did what he loved doing.
“Shane had the potential to go a long, long way [in motorsport].”
Cormac Buchanan, a Kiwi rider in the Moto3 Championship, took to Facebook to pay tribute to his friend and fellow competitor.
“Shane M Richardson was truly one of the best people I ever had the privilege of sharing the track with, not only a super talented rider but a down-to-earth person away from it.
“You never failed to put a smile on all of our faces. You were someone I could look up to and learn from, and I am so lucky to have had your guidance in my first year in Europe in the UK.
“I cherish all of the track walks with you and Damo, the hard battles we had, bumping bars and swapping paint. I’m grateful to have been able to consider you a competitor, a rival, and a friend.
“I always felt your support no matter what the situation, race, or outcome was. To Hannah, Max, and Maddie, I send you all of my love, support, and condolences.
“I will always be riding with you; thank you for everything, Shane.”
This tragedy comes nearly two years after the loss of fellow New Zealander Damon Rees, who sadly passed away in the UK following a sudden medical event.
