Shane Richardson (Wellington) racing in the Formula 2 class at the 2017 Battle of the streets in Paeroa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It's been an emotional 24 hours for Whakatāne rider Mitch Rees following the death of Shane Richardson at a Superbike meeting in England on Tuesday.
Richardson, from Wellington, who was 29, died following an 11-bike pileup during a Supersport race at Oulton Park which also claimed the life of English rider Owen Jenner.
Rees raced at the same meeting in Cheshire.
"We all know the risk going into it which definitely does not make it easier, but unfortunately it is what it is," Rees told RNZ.
"You never expect it to happen and it rarely does.
"It's always going to affect you, anyone that was in the paddock, anyone that knew Shane."
Rees is competing in Britain and Ireland for the first time. Part of his motivation to compete there was in memory of his brother Damon, who died two years ago.
Damon Rees left New Zealand a year after Richardson in 2020 and competed for two seasons in the British National Superstock 1000 Championship.
He died from a heart condition in 2023.
Richardson and Damon Rees battled for the 2017 New Zealand Supersport Championship and later Richardson helped Damon get to the British championship.
"I know what the Richardson family is going through.... it's a tough one."
Rees said so many New Zealanders in motorcycling had been touched by Richardson in some way and will be saddened by his passing.
"He was part of the reason I actually started racing.
"He's helped a lot of us Kiwis get there and just an all-round fantastic guy.
Richardson helped many top level riders including Cormac Buchanan who is now competing in MotoGP3.
"Just a super nice guy who would do anything for anyone, just so helpful.
"His riding speaks for itself, if you're a New Zealand motorcyclist you know about Shane Richardson and what he's done.
