MOTORCYCLE racing suffered two tragic deaths over the Bank Holiday weekend after Ben Gautrey and Wayne Hamilton sadly lost their lives at Cadwell Park and the Manx GP.
18-year-old Gautrey, from Southport, fell on the right hand corner at the bottom of the Mountain section on the first lap of the Superstock 600 race. He was unavoidably hit by two riders immediately behind him.
Ben sustained significant and serious chest and head injuries, he was treated immediately trackside before being transferred to the circuit medical centre where further attempts to resuscitate him were made. Tragically he succumbed to his injuries.
Stuart Higgs, British Superbike Series Director said; "I am so desperately sad that Ben died from the injuries he sustained at Cadwell Park.
"He was a really super young guy on his debut season at National level showing plenty of promise having won the Thundersport GB Moto450 Championship the previous year. It was entirely fitting that Ben Wilson was able to dedicate his Supersport win to Ben ."
Wayne Hamilton was described by Phillip McCallen as 'up and coming superstar' in road racing. The 20-year-old was a winner in Manx GP Newcomers race earlier this weekend, unfortunately he succumbed to injuries after an accident at the 13th Milestone in the Junior race.
Bill Bennett, Chairman of the Manx Motor Cycle Club, paid his tributes: “Wayne was a very promising competitor who had already achieved notable success in his road racing career.
"He had already set the meeting alight with his excellent performance in Saturday's Newcomers Race and have no doubt that he would have won many races on the Isle of Man. He is a great loss to the sport and I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his friends and family.”
Visordown sends its condolences to the family and friends of Ben and Wayne.
