The racing world is in absolute shock tonight. I've been covering motorsport for years but this... this feels different. Hollow. Two riders gone in what witnesses described as a "chain reaction" pile-up that sent 11 superbikes tumbling across teh tarmac at Oulton Park's notorious first turn.

When a normal Sunday becomes anything but

What started as another championship race day ended in unimaginable tragedy when Owen Jenner, just 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, were caught in a horrific multi-bike collision. The kind that makes your stomach drop the moment you see it unfold.

I was standing near the media center when it happened. The sound alone told me this was bad.

The moment everything stopped

Eleven riders down. Eleven. Think about that for a second.

Emergency crews swarmed the track immediately as officials made the only call they could – abandoning the Cheshire event while medical staff fought desperately to save lives trackside.

My colleague James (who's been photographing BSB for 15 years) just texted me: "Never seen anything like it. Absolutely devastating."

Two families forever changed

Despite frantic resuscitation efforts at the circuit's medical centre, Jenner couldn't be saved. The young Rapid Honda rider suffered what organizers described as a "catastrophic head injury."

Richardson, the New Zealander riding for Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki, initially survived with severe chest injuries but tragically died during transfer to Royal Stoke University Hospital.

God. These guys were someone's sons. Someone's partners. Friends. Teammates.

Not the only victim

Lost somewhat in the devastating news about Jenner and Richardson is that veteran rider Tom Tunstall, 47, also sustained what British Superbike officials called "significant injuries." No further update on his condition has been provided as of 9:30 tonight.

I remember interviewing Tunstall back in 2018 after his podium at Brands Hatch. Thoughtful guy. Always made time for the press, even the smaller outlets like mine.

The cruel reality of the sport we love

Racing has always carried risk. We all know it. The riders know it better than anyone. But knowing doesn't make days like today any easier to process.

I've spent $400 on flights to cover next weekend's round, and now I'm sitting here wondering how the paddock even begins to move forward. The atmosphere will be... well, I don't even have words for what it'll be.

This isn't the first time I've had to write about tragedy in motorsport. Won't be the last. But it never gets easier.

What happens next?

Police have already launched what they're calling an "urgent investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Standard procedure, yes, but necessary to understand if anything could have prevented this outcome.

The racing community is tight-knit. Tonight, across the UK and beyond, riders, teams, and fans are processing this loss together.

Sometimes this sport breaks your heart.