Ollie Bridewell dies after crash

tazrocks88 · July 22, 2007

most will think who? he was an up and coming racer its sad to think he was only 21

Ollie Bridewell and his brother tom

By Dave Fern

Last Updated: 11:34pm BST 20/07/2007

Tragedy struck the British Superbike Championship yesterday as the highly talented young rider Ollie Bridewell sustained fatal injuries during opening free practice for the weekend's ninth round at Mallory Park.

The Devizes rider had completed two flying laps in the rain at the Leicestershire circuit aboard his Team NB Suzuki when he charged into the Esses section and the bike snaked out of line, throwing him off.

Bridewell, 21, in his second season in the series, crashed down heavily onto the track surface and then slid towards the barriers. The session was halted as medical teams were scrambled to him.

advertisementHe received treatment at the scene before being moved to the circuit medical centre, where he died.

The incident has been the subject of a full investigation by the race organisers, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board. Their race director Stuart Higgs said: "Initial evidence shows that he lost control and fell from his machine, making a heavy impact with the surface and then the Recticel protective barrier. He sustained critical head and neck injuries. On behalf of MCRCB Events and the BSB community we extend our profound sympathies."

Bridewell's father, Marcus, was at the circuit, watching from the team's pit-garage together with his younger brother Tommy, who also rides in the series.

The news left the tight knit paddock in a state of shock. Michael Rutter, one of the most experienced competitors in the championship, said: "Ollie was highly talented and a very popular young lad.

"As riders and teams our thoughts are with his mum and dad, Tommy, and the rest of the family." The session, in which Shane Byrne had set the fastest time, was suspended. All practice and qualifying sessions have been rescheduled for today with the races going ahead tomorrow.

At Brno in the Czech Republic, Yamaha rider Noriyuki Haga headed the qualifying leaderboard ahead of the ninth round of the World Superbike Championship.