The partner of the Kent rider killed at a British Superbike meeting says he died a happy man.

Mick Whalley, 42, suffered fatal injuries in a seven-bike crash at Donington Park on Saturday.

It was his first ride in the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup, a support race to the British Superbike Championship.

Previously a club rider, he’d revelled in the atmosphere of BSB.

Kayleigh Shoebridge, his girlfriend of 12 years, followed his racing career and was with him on the grid before the race.

She said: “It was the first time we’d been to a BSB meeting and he was walking around saying he felt like a superstar.

“Everybody said before we went you either love BSB or you hate it because it’s a different environment to club racing.

“We were there two days and he was loving it.

“He was laughing, taking the mickey out of me on the grid before I left for the start of the race. He died happy.”

The pair shared a joke about being on television shortly before the race - the last words Whalley uttered to her.

Kayleigh added: “When he leaves for a race I never say good luck or see you soon, we just nudge, like knuckles.

“We’d had this joke about being on TV and he was laughing his head off.

“He had a good start, he was riding the best I’ve ever seen him.

“He’d done the best lap time he’s ever done and everything was looking good. It was just a shocking accident.

“I just didn’t believe it was true - I didn’t want to believe it.

“The trauma response team was with him in a minute and they worked on him for 20 minutes before transferring him to hospital. He had the best possible care.”

Whalley, a father of two boys, went to Fulston Manor School in Sittingbourne and lived in the town before moving to Sheppey.

He got into racing a few years ago, enjoying the adrenaline fix.

Kayleigh said: “He lived life to the max. He was the most spontaneous person I’ve ever come across. It was kind of that which got him into racing.

“He loved his racing, he loved his boys. Anything fun was what he wanted to go and do.

“When he got into racing he knew it was dangerous but he always used to say ‘I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time’ and that was how he was.

“That’s how he lived his life. He loved anything dangerous.

“Anything that was dangerous, he would do it. He liked the adrenaline rush.

“He can never be replaced. He was one of a kind. I just don’t know how I’m going to be without him.”

Sittingbourne rider Mike Honey remains in hospital in Nottingham after suffering serious leg injuries in the same crash.

He’s due for more surgery tomorrow (Thursday) to repair his left leg.

Honey’s wife, Jenni, said: “On behalf of Mike and myself, I would like to thank everyone in the BSB paddock for all of their support, the medical crew and marshals of Race Safe for dealing with the incident with such efficiency and speed.

“Our sincere condolences go out to Mick Whalley’s family and girlfriend Kayleigh.”