EX-MARINE DIES IN CRASH

DISABLED former Royal Marine Mark Fincham was killed in an horrific crash at Thruxton yesterday.

The 37-year-old was riding for the True Heroes team in a round of the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship at the fast Hampshire circuit.

The team was founded five years ago to give wounded service personnel the chance to race.

And Fincham was racing despite having his lower left leg amputated following a traffic accident a decade ago.

He had qualified on the 12th row of the grid and was gaining ground when he high-sided over the top of his BMW going through the club chicane.

He slammed down heavily right in front of team-mate Jim Walker, who had nowhere to go and collided with the stricken rider.

The race was stopped as medics rushed to the scene and both riders were treated trackside and then at the circuit medical centre. Walker escaped unhurt.

After a lengthy delay, racing resumed.

Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman claimed their first victories of the season in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Brookes turned on the style that took him to the crown two years ago as he powered in his first victory of the season in the opening race of the seventh round.

He looked set to complete a double before crashing out on the penultimate lap in the next race. That left the way clear for Hickman, who moved up to third place in the standings.

Shane Byrne leads overall after taking fourth in the first race but retiring from the second with tyre problems. He is 19 points ahead of Leon Haslam in second.