TT racer died after bike tyre exploded

AVETERAN motorbike racer from Stockport died from horrifying injuries when a tyre exploded during a 190mph TT race, an inquest heard.

Paul Shoesmith, from Poynton, was killed instantly in the tragedy during the Isle of Man TT races last June.

An inquest at Douglas Courthouse on the island heard the 50-year-old was a hugely experienced and respected racer who ran the sport’s Four Anjels race team.

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 4, the dad-offour was celebrating after recording his fastest lap time at the TT that morning.

John Needham, the island’s Coroner, heard how Mr Shoesmith had lapped the 37-mile course at an average speed of almost 126mph. However, at around 6.30pm he crashed on a different motorbike at a section of the course called the Sulby Straight during a practice session.

Spectator Paul Homer described how Mr Shoesmith was travelling at his bike’s top speed when the front wheel lifted a foot into the air. When the wheel touched the road again the tyre exploded, throwing Mr Shoesmith over the handlebars of his 1,000cc BMW machine.

Race Marshal Thomas Bevans told how he reached the scene within seconds the crash and a medical helicopter landed just ten minutes later.

However, when medics saw the extent of his injuries they said trying to resuscitate him would have been futile.

Consultant pathologist Dr Irvine Long gave the cause of death as multiple injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident.

He added toxicology tests on a urine sample for alcohol and drugs had all proved negative.

A vehicle examiner at the Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure, Anthony Bode, said he’d been asked to check the wrecked bike after the crash.

He told the court the front tyre had suffered a ‘catastrophic failure’ but he could find no other faults on the bike which could have explained the crash.

Mr Needham recorded a verdict of misadventure, saying “I am satisfied there was nothing on the road which punctured the tyre and caused it to deflate.

“It is not for this court to speculate as to reasons for the tyre’s failure. I find the tyre failure was entirely unforeseen. The activity of competing in the Isle of Man TT races is inherently dangerous.

“I know it is little comfort to those left behind, but Paul was clearly pursuing his dream of racing and he died instantly, and so would not have suffered.”