The partner of one of the two motorcyclists killed in a race suffered the death of a previous partner in the sport.
Tragedy has struck twice for Hannah James, whose partner, Shane Richardson, was killed in a horrific crash at Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire on Monday. The loss echoes a previous heartbreak for Ms James, who lost a former partner in a similar racing accident.
Mr Richardson, 29, died alongside fellow competitor Owen Jenner, 21, when 11 riders crashed at the first corner of the race. The incident has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community.
Ms James, a former “grid girl,” has experienced loss before. In 2016, her then-boyfriend, 24-year-old Billy Redmayne, was killed in a crash at the Oliverâs Mount Spring Cup in North Yorkshire. A former paratrooper, Mr Redmayne met Ms James two years before his death. She posted a tribute to him online in April 2020.
Ms James, a social worker and former grid girl and promotional model, updated her Facebook profile photo on Tuesday, showing a photo of Mr Richardson and their two young children.
Tributes have poured in for both men since the devastating crash.
A third rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, also suffered âsignificant injuriesâ.
They were taking part in the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship organised by MotorSport Vision Racing, which abandoned the race as medical services deployed to help the injured.
Mr Jenner, from Crowborough, East Sussex, was taken to the circuit medical centre and given further resuscitation treatment but died from a âcatastrophic head injuryâ, the organisers said.
Mr Richardson, who friends said has a young family and who described himself online as âjust a joiner from New Zealand chasing my dreams and racingâ, was taken to the medical centre with âsevere chest injuriesâ but died while he was being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital, they added.
Mr Tunstall was treated on the track and then taken to the medical centre before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with âsignificant back and abdominal injuriesâ.
Five other riders were treated in the medical centre with minor injuries, but did not need hospital treatment.
Personal tributes were paid online to the family of Mr Richardson, his partner and children, and Mr Jenner, from friends and from the wider world of motorsport.
Kate Buchanan, writing on Facebook said: âThis sport can be so damn cruel.
âOur racing family is devastated to lose one of our best and my heart breaks for you Hannah James, Maddie and Max.
âShaneâs legacy lives on in each of you and all those who knew and loved him. Ride on forever Shane.â
Steve Wilf Moore, writing online, said: âOur best day of racing has turned to the worst imaginable.
âIf you ever spent any time with Owen Jenner then you will feel the same terrible loss we do.
âRIP Shane M Richardson, such a gentleman you could barely think he was such a racer. Iâm so sorry Hannah James. Get well soon Tom Tunstall. Truly awful day for everyone.â
Will Juggins, paying tribute to Mr Richardson, said: âSaddened to hear the news today. Condolences to your family your parents raised a true gentleman, you have done New Zealand motor sport proud and will be remembered in history.
âIt was a pleasure to share the track with you some of my best racing memories were junior motards at go kart tracks and car parks in adult sized leathers. Rest in Peace.â.
New Zealand motorcyclist Cormac Buchanan said Mr Richardson was one of the âbest 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 itâ.
Australian rider Ben Currie said the loss was âhard to put into wordsâ.
The Supersport Championship is a support class to the main British Superbike series.
Mr Jenner became the 2024 British GP2 champion and was signed to Rapid Honda.
Mr Richardson was in the Astro JJR Hippo Suzuki team sponsored by Hippo waste removal service
Cheshire Police said they are investigating the fatal crash along with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing.
