Experienced racer John McGuinness says Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson “will never be forgotten” after Monday’s fatal accident at Oulton Park.
The two riders lost their lives after an 11-bike crash in the British Supersport Championship, which was supporting the opening round of the British Superbike Championship.
McGuinness, who is a 23-time winner at the Isle of Man TT road race, said the accident was “awful” and riders who witnessed or were involved in the accident will “need an arm around them”.
He added that 21-year-old Jenner, who was a three-time British Champion, and New Zealand rider Richardson, 29, “were living their dream”.
“Those kids will never be forgotten and they were doing what they loved doing,” McGuinness added.
“When racing’s at its best it’s the best thing in the world. When it’s not it’s pretty brutal and that was a brutal thing that happened yesterday.
“It’s bad times but the racing community is strong and I’ve been through it so many times for so many years.”
Another rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, is in the Royal Stoke University Hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries, while five other riders suffered minor injuries.
McGuinness is preparing to compete at the North West 200 road race in Northern Ireland, and says the paddock is “certainly more sombre” after Monday’s accident.
A number of riders who were competing at Oulton Park, both in the Supersport class and on other bikes, will race this week on the Triangle Circuit, which comprises 8.9 miles of closed public roads.
McGuinness says it is “tricky” having to prepare to compete just days after two riders have lost their lives and that “nobody never said to stop racing, we’ve just got to find a way to make it safer”.
The 53-year-old reiterated that riders who were involved or witnessed the accident will receive support if they need it.
“There’s going to be people there who will have nightmares about that for a long time, sometimes they need an arm put around them, said McGuinness.
“I still have nightmares now about things I’ve seen on tracks over the years.
“I still ask them to look after me, you know. I’m not a religious person or anything but I ask the boys and ladies that aren’t with us any more to look after me.
“It’s a bit of weird thing but it’s a superstition I’ve got.”
Peter Hickman, who is a winner in the British Superbike Championship, North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, said the crash was “tragic”.
“It’s difficult for people who are not in this sport and haven’t been around it for a very long time to understand how we can all just move on,” said Hickman.
“As riders, it’s something that we already accept as a risk before we enter.
“It can be quite difficult for everyone – everyone does it in a different way. We’re looking forward to the North West 200.
“We’ve got to clear it out of our minds as riders and ride in their memory. If that’s something we can do, that’s something we will do.”
Lee Johnston was competing in the Supersport race but was in front of the accident that claimed the lives of Richardson and Jenner.
He will not be racing at the North West 200 but will be part of BBC Sport’s punditry team at the road race.
“Firstly, my thoughts go out to the families of all the people that were involved. There were obviously other people injured in the scene as well so it’s really, really sad and very hard.
“You can see how close the sport is because it’s affected everyone within the sport.”
Johnston said he sympathised with the other riders involved in the accident and said “you can’t do anything about what’s happening in front of you at that speed”.
“I feel a lot for the riders that were injured in the crash and in the midst of trying to help those riders afterwards.
We know each other, a lot of the riders. We’re not all close, personal friends but you still know guys and when you race them you have a mutual respect.
“I can’t really say anymore, I’m just thinking about the families at this time. If anyone needs anything, hopefully the whole biking community gets together and helps them out as much as possible.”
