Motorcycle rider dies at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough

Aran Sadler died following the incident at the Bob Smith Spring Cup at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough on Saturday (April 11), according to reports.

North Yorkshire Police said it is appealing for information after the rider came off a Kawasaki ZX636 during a race at around 3.20pm on Saturday.

The force said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The man’s family are aware and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said.

Police are urging any spectators present during the incident who have not yet spoken to officers to come forward.

Mr Sadler, from County Durham, was a former race winner at Oliver’s Mount and had previously competed at road racing events on the Isle of Man and in Northern Ireland.

He died after the incident in the SuperSport A Race 1 during Saturday’s Spring Cup, Northern Irish daily newspaper News Letter reported, citing a statement from Oliver Mount’s managing director, Andy Hayes.

Mr Hayes, in the statement, said Mr Sadler was a “tremendously popular member of our paddock community and a champion several times over at Oliver’s Mount”.

“He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and raced alongside him.

“Our thoughts are entirely with Aran’s family and his partner Lorna at this devastating time.”

Mr Hayes said the track had consulted with Mr Sadler’s family and confirmed that racing would continue on Sunday.

“We ask everyone – in the paddock and in the grandstands – to keep Aran in their thoughts and to continue the consideration shown to Aran’s family and friends as it has been today,” Mr Hayes said.

“We are grateful to everyone who showed patience and respect in waiting for this official statement to be released. It means a great deal to Aran’s family and to us.”

The remainder of Saturday’s race programme was suspended following the incident, according to News Letter.

Earlier on Saturday, rider Joey Thompson said he had been “involved in an incident at Oliver’s Mount on lap one of the Supersport race”, adding: “I am sore but okay, thanks for the messages.”

Mr Thompson later said he would not be racing on Sunday as it was not “physically possible”.

“There is no one that wants to go racing more than me but unfortunately I just can’t do it today,” he said in a post on social media.

“My thoughts are with the family of Aran in these tough times.”

Tributes flooded in on social media for Mr Sadler after his death.

A Teesside Motorsports spokesperson said: “Aran was a familiar and valued face at Teesside, attending many events over the years, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and the wider racing community at this difficult time.

“Rest in peace, Aran.”

The Bikers Blog said Mr Sadler was the reigning overall Oliver’s Mount Racing champion.

A spokesperson for the page described Mr Sadler as a “true racer who loved the sport and gave everything to it”.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and everyone in the road racing community at this incredibly difficult time,” they added.

“Rest easy, Aran.”

Oliver’s Mount has been approached for comment.