Simon Andrews Dies Following North West 200 Crash

Simon Andrews Dies Following North West 200 Crash
Simon Andrews near the Penz13.com Team BMW S1000RR
Simon Andrews Dies Following North West 200 Crash
Simon Andrews near the Penz13.com Team BMW S1000RR

North West 200 Fatality

Simon Andrews, the well-known international road-racing and British Superbike competitor, has died due to injuries sustained in a North West 200 crash.

The 29-year old of Worcester, England, passed away Monday, May 19, at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Ireland.

Andrews, who was racing aboard a BMW S1000RR for the Penz13.com BMW team, crashed Saturday during the second Supersport race. The accident – only involving Andrews – occurred just ahead of the “Metropole” corner of 8.9-mile “Triangle” circuit in Northern Ireland.

Andrews, who made his North West 200 debut in 2011, was flown to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he was submitted to the intensive care unit. North West 200 official reports say Andrews passed away with his parents – Stuart and Dee –  girlfriend Lisa, and best friend Breakers by his bedside.

The British rider had been confirmed in February to ride with the Penz13.com Team – a time when he was still recovering from major injury sustained during the 2013 Le Mans 24-Hour round of the World Endurance Championship. During the Le Mans wreck, Andrews sustained two broken legs, broken ribs, a broken forearm, a broken shoulder, three broken vertebra in the lower back and a punctured lung.

He recovered, and the North West 200 was his first race since the Le Mans crash. The North West 200 is the ultimate pre-test for the Isle of Man TT, which Andrews was set to attack aboard the S1000RR.

Andrews’ TT record has included four top-15 finishes including 11th place in last year’s RL360 Superstock Race. He made his TT debut in 2011, taking 11th in both the Superstock and Senior Races, also finishing as the fastest newcomer with a lap of 125.134 mph, the third fastest newcomer in the all-time list. He has a fastest lap to date of 126.001mph around the TT Mountain Course. He also finished third in the 2012 Macau Grand Prix.

Since the North West 200 race began in 1929, 16 people have died, including the man who holds the most wins (15) at the North West 200 – Robert Dunlop.

3 COMMENTS

  1. I’m now in my mid 70s having raced myself in the 50s &60s Simon reminded me so much of men like John Hartle and Steve Henshaw real Triers. when they had an off it was usually a big one, gave there all for the sport they loved ,as did many more ,and no doubt more will .Truly fearless men . RIP Simon.

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