A devastating crash during the opening round of the British Supersport Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire has claimed the lives of two talented motorcycle racers. The incident, described as “catastrophic,” involved 11 bikes and occurred on the very first lap of the race at the challenging Old Hall Corner.
The two riders who lost their lives in the crash have been named as 21-year-old Owen Jenner and 29-year-old Shane Richardson. Both riders were well-known figures in the UK motorsport community and had high hopes for the 2025 racing season.
Jenner, a promising young racer from Crowborough, East Sussex, suffered what officials described as a “catastrophic head injury”. Despite immediate medical attention at the trackside and being rushed to the on-site medical centre, he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Richardson, originally from New Zealand and living in the UK, sustained severe chest injuries in the same incident. He was stabilized at the scene and transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital, but died en route due to the extent of his injuries.
The accident occurred during the very first lap of the British Supersport race. According to Motorsport Vision Racing (MSVR), the organization behind the championship series, the crash unfolded as a “chain reaction” incident as riders exited turn one at Old Hall Corner.
In total, 11 riders were thrown from their bikes in the high-speed pile-up. Of those, three sustained serious injuries, while five other competitors were treated at the circuit’s medical centre and fortunately did not require hospitalization.
Another well-known racer, Tom Tunstall, 47, is currently being treated at Royal Stoke University Hospital for what have been described as “significant back and abdominal injuries.” His condition remains under medical evaluation as the motorsport community hopes for a full recovery.
In light of the fatal crash and the ongoing investigations, organizers made the decision to cancel the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event at Oulton Park.
“Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled,” MSVR said in a public statement.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal incident are now under thorough investigation. Cheshire Police, in coordination with the Coroner, have opened a case to determine the cause and contributing factors of the crash.
Additionally, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board (MCRCB) and MSVR have confirmed a joint inquiry into the crash, pledging to work closely with authorities to assess all aspects of the tragedy.
“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,” a joint statement read.
Owen Jenner had quickly risen through the ranks of British motorcycle racing. Crowned Superstock Champion in both 2020 and 2023, he further solidified his reputation by winning the GP2 Championship in 2024, a title he earned with an impressive 18 wins out of 20 finishes.
His performance attracted the attention of top-tier teams, and he recently signed with the Rapid Honda British Superbike Team—a move that many saw as a major step toward future stardom.
Jenner had shared his excitement for the new season in the days leading up to the Oulton Park event, posting enthusiastically about returning to the track.
