Road racer Dan Kneen died Wednesday in a crash during Superbike qualifying at the Isle of Man TT, organizers said.
Kneen, 30, of Onchan, was aboard a Tyco BMW Motorrad/TAS Racing S1000RR when he crashed at Churchtown on the first lap of the qualifying session. Kneen died at the scene, organizers said.
Kneen won three races in his debut on the Mountain Course in 2008, racing to the Manx Grand Prix Junior, Newcomers C, and Ultra Lightweight MGP wins. Kneen raced in the British Superbike Championship in the Superstock, Supersport Cup, and Superbike EVO categories.
Kneen won the Ulster Grand Prix Superstock race in 2014, and was a regular podium finisher in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Isle of Man events. Kneen was third in the 2017 IOM Superstock TT event and had set a lap record on the way to the Superbike win at the Tandragee 100 Superbike race earlier this year.
The official statement from organizers is below:
ACU Events Ltd regrets to confirm that Dan Kneen, 30, from Onchan in the Isle of Man died this evening following injuries sustained during the Superbike qualifying session on the Isle of Man.
Dan had an accident at Churchtown on the first lap of the session and died at the scene of the incident.
Dan made his mountain course debut at the Manx Grand Prix in 2008 and won an unprecedented three races – the Junior, the Newcomers C and the Ultra Lightweight MGP Races.
He achieved his first TT podium in last year’s Superstock Race, finishing third in the Superstock TT Race. He has a fastest official lap of 130.347mph which he set in last year’s Superstock Race and recorded a lap of 132.258mph (17:06.994) in last night’s Superbike qualifying session.
ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Dan’s partner Leanne, his family and his many friends in the road racing community and beyond.
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
The BMW Motorrad Motorsport family mourns the death of Dan Kneen.
Munich. With great disbelief and sadness, BMW Motorrad Motorsport has learned the sad news of the death of road racer Dan Kneen (GBR). The 30-year old Tyco BMW rider lost his live in a tragic accident yesterday, Wednesday, during the Superbike qualifying session at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.
Kneen was a member of the international BMW Motorrad Motorsport family and participated in the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy. Last year, the Manxman had achieved his first ever Isle of Man TT podium in the Superstock race.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s thoughts are with his family, friends and team Tyco BMW in these difficult times, and the whole BMW Motorrad Motorsport community would like to express its most sincere condolences.