Two Competitors Have Died at the Isle of Man TT

It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of two competitors who died in separate incidents while at the Isle of Man TT. Dwight Beare died during today’s Sidecar TT Race 1, and Paul Shoesmith who died during this evening’s solo-class practice sessions.

Dwight Beare was a 27-year-old from Melbourne, Australia who moved to Onchan on the Isle of Man. While competing in the Sure Sidecar 1 TT, Beare unfortuantely did not survive a crash near Rhencullen, the race was red-flagged immediately after the crash.

Beare’s sidecar passenger, Benjamin Binns, was airlifted from the crash site to Nobles Hospital, and thankfully is reported to have only a fractured ankle.

Later that day, 50-years-old Paul Shoesmith from Poynton, Lancashire died during Saturday’s evening practice session. His incident occurred on the Sulby Straight. The practice session was red-flagged immediately following the incident.

Beare made his TT racing debut in 2014, with his father as his passenger, and they achieved a 12th place result on that year’s Sidecar TT Race 2. Last year, the father-son duo returned to the Isle of Man again, finishing 17th in the Sidecar TT Race 1.

Shoesmith made his TT racing debuting in 2005, and finished as high as 8th and 11th in the 2008 and 2009 Lightweight TT races, and had 15th place finished in both the 2011 Superbike and Senior TT races.

Shoesmith’s fastest lap ever around the Snaefel Mountain Course was set during this year’s Superbike TT, with a 125.896 mph lap that earned him aa 29th place finish.

The loss of both riders hangs heavily on the TT paddock tonight. Our thoughts go out to both Dwight and Paul’s family, friends, and fans.