Tributes have been paid to a father-and-son duo who died in a tragic Isle of Man TT crash. Roger Stockton, 56, and his 21-year-old son Bradley, both from Crewe, died after an incident at Ago’s Leap just under one mile into the final lap of their second race at the event on Friday (June 10).
Following their passing, which sadly takes this year's TT's death toll to five competitors, tributes have been paid to the pair, CheshireLive reports. Shavington-based ABP Motorsport, where Bradley worked, posted on Facebook: "The whole ABP family are absolutely devastated to share the news that ‘our Brad’ has sadly lost his life during today's TT sidecar race.
"Following an accident on the 2nd lap both Brad and his dad Roger have sadly passed away. Brad was just 21 and was taking part in a sport that he loved - he was funny, brave, annoying, loved, brilliant, handsome and had his whole life ahead of him. He left us today alongside his father - pursuing a dream, a passion that brought both glory & danger."
READ MORE: Family miss £1.5k holiday after being escorted off cancelled TUI flight by ARMED POLICE
It continued: "We all loved Brad and today has been one of the hardest days for me and ABP, we are a very close family and we now have a huge gaping devastating hole in our hearts. Fly high Bradley, ride fast and we all pray that you have gone to a better place. Gone but never ever forgotten."
Roger, who was a truck driver for a Crewe-based haulage firm and used to serve in the Armed Forces, was making his 20th TT race start, while this was is son's first ever TT event. Cooper Buckley Ltd, where Roger had worked for more than 20 years, said his loss would "leave a huge hole in the company".
In a social media post, it said: "It is with a heavy heart that I find myself having to write this post. Our dear work colleague and friend Roger Stockton and his son Brad have sadly lost their lives today participating in a sport they both loved, Sidecar racing at the Isle of Man TT. Roger has been a part of the Cooper Buckley family for over 20 years and he'll leave a huge hole in the company.
"On behalf of everyone at Cooper Buckley we pass on our most sincerest condolences to Roger and Brad's family and also to Rogers partner Mel. Rest in peace Roger & Brad."
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, Isle of Man TT Races said: "It is with deep sense of sorrow that the Isle of Man TT Races can announce the loss of Roger and Bradley Stockton following an incident on the final lap of the second Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. Roger and Bradley were father and son, and driver and passenger respectively. We extend our deepest sympathy to their families, loved ones and friends.
"Aged 56, today marked Roger’s 20th race start in his 11th TT appearance. Bradley, aged 21, was competing in his second race at his first TT. Racing together, they recorded an impressive 8th-place finish in the first Sidecar Race of TT 2022, with a best lap at an average speed of 106.00mph.
"Whilst it was Bradley’s first TT as a competitor, it was by no means his first experience of the TT, having grown up in the paddock and made his first visit as a one-year old. Aged 16, he decided that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and asked if he could race alongside him as his passenger. Once he had returned to the Isle of Man to begin studying the course, he said ‘he couldn’t wait to race in the TT‘.
"Roger’s first TT was in 2000. He competed regularly until 2008 and returned in 2010, 2017, and for this year’s event. Speaking earlier in the year, he said: ‘I’ve retired a few times before, but always come back for my love of the sport. Going around the course with my own flesh and blood will be incredible.’
"The loss of two members of our paddock and two people from the same family is truly heart-breaking, but the bond between a father and son who achieved their dream to compete together at the TT provides us with a glimmer of light at such a dark time."
