Ollie Bridewell
Encyclopedia
Oliver Frederick Bridewell (10 December 1985 - 20 July 2007), from Etchilhampton
, Wiltshire
, known as Ollie Bridewell, was a British
motorcycle
road racer
.
In 2005, he competed in the British Superstock Championship, as well as a European series one-off at Brands Hatch
.
In 2006 and 2007, he raced in the British Superbike Championship for Vivaldi Suzuki
, racing alongside his brother Tommy
in 2007. His best results were two 8th places.
Bridewell died during practice at Mallory Park
on the July 20, 2007. Torrential rain had made the circuit slippery, and he lost control entering the esses and crashed, suffering head and neck injuries. As with all UK Motorsport events an ambulance was at the scene and tended to him, but without success and he was pronounced dead at the circuit.
Air Ambulance Volunteer Doctor Dhushy Kumar reported that "Unfortunately, Mr Bridewell was in cardiac arrest when we arrived". Michael Rutter
described him as a "highly talented and a very popular young lad".
Around 1300 people gathered for Ollie's funeral at St Mary's Church, Bishops Cannings
on 1 August 2007.; this was followed by a private family burial at Etchilhampton Churchyard.
Etchilhampton
Etchilhampton is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England.The United Kingdom Census 2001 recorded a parish population of 152.-Local government:Etchilhampton is a civil parish with an elected parish council...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, known as Ollie Bridewell, was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
road racer
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
.
In 2005, he competed in the British Superstock Championship, as well as a European series one-off at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
.
In 2006 and 2007, he raced in the British Superbike Championship for Vivaldi Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
, racing alongside his brother Tommy
Tommy Bridewell
Thomas George Bridewell is an English motorcycle racer, currently competing in the British Superbike Championship for the Motorpoint Yamaha team...
in 2007. His best results were two 8th places.
Bridewell died during practice at Mallory Park
Mallory Park
Mallory Park is a motor racing circuit situated in the village of Kirkby Mallory, just off the A47, between Leicester and Hinckley. With the full car circuit measuring only 1.35 miles it is amongst the shortest permanent race circuits in the UK...
on the July 20, 2007. Torrential rain had made the circuit slippery, and he lost control entering the esses and crashed, suffering head and neck injuries. As with all UK Motorsport events an ambulance was at the scene and tended to him, but without success and he was pronounced dead at the circuit.
Air Ambulance Volunteer Doctor Dhushy Kumar reported that "Unfortunately, Mr Bridewell was in cardiac arrest when we arrived". Michael Rutter
Michael Rutter (motorcycle racer)
Michael Karl Rutter nicknamed "The Blade", is a British motorcycle racer. He has a reputation for being at his best in wet conditions and his favourite circuit is Oulton Park. He has won 27 British Superbike Championship races, most recently at Knockhill in 2010, and finished as series runner-up...
described him as a "highly talented and a very popular young lad".
Around 1300 people gathered for Ollie's funeral at St Mary's Church, Bishops Cannings
Bishops Cannings
Bishops Cannings is a village and civil parish in the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire, England. The parish includes the settlements of Coate, Horton, Bourton and Easton, as well as the village of Bishops Cannings itself.-History:...
on 1 August 2007.; this was followed by a private family burial at Etchilhampton Churchyard.