Tragedy struck at Oulton Park on May 5, 2025, as the opening round of the British Superbikes Championship was abruptly cancelled following a horrific crash that claimed the lives of two riders. The incident involved a chain-reaction crash with 11 bikes at the start of the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race, exiting turn one on the first lap.
In a statement released by the British Superbike Championship, it was confirmed that Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, tragically died from their injuries sustained in the crash. The scene was described as "severe and catastrophic" by race organizers, with immediate medical response deployed to assist the injured.
Eyewitness reports indicated that one bike was engulfed in flames after the pile-up, marking one of the worst crashes in the sport's recent history. Tom Tunstall, 47, was also among the injured, suffering significant back and abdominal injuries, and was rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital for treatment.
"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 statement from the organizers read. "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."
Jenner was initially treated trackside but succumbed to a catastrophic head injury despite resuscitation efforts in the medical center. Richardson, on the other hand, was treated at the scene before being transferred to the hospital, where he died prior to arrival due to severe chest injuries.
In addition to the fatalities, five other riders—Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes, and Morgan McLaren-Wood—were treated for minor injuries at the circuit medical center but did not require hospitalization. Three additional riders—Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker, and George Edwards—were involved in the incident but escaped uninjured.
BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs expressed his condolences and concern regarding the incident, stating, "It was a severe and catastrophic incident coming off of turn one at the start of the British Supersport race. There were 11 riders involved, which naturally invoked an immediate red flag and full medical response given the severity of the incident. The medical response to that is technically still ongoing, and as a result of that we can confirm that the event is now cancelled and there’ll be no more racing today."
The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board, in conjunction with Motor Sport Vision Racing, has initiated an investigation into the incident, with Cheshire Police also assisting in the inquiry. The tragic events unfolded during a bank holiday meeting in Cheshire, which was immediately suspended following the red flag that halted the race on the first lap.
As the motorsport community mourns the loss of Jenner and Richardson, discussions surrounding safety measures in motorcycle racing are expected to intensify. The British Superbikes Championship has faced scrutiny in the past over safety protocols, and this incident may prompt a reevaluation of existing measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
With the race cancelled and investigations underway, the focus now shifts to supporting the families of the deceased riders and ensuring the well-being of those who were injured. The British motorsport community has expressed its condolences, with many reflecting on the risks that come with the sport, despite its thrilling nature.
As the dust settles on this devastating incident, the future of the British Superbikes Championship hangs in the balance, with fans and participants alike hoping for answers and improvements to enhance safety in the sport.
