Craig Jones (motorcyclist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Craig Jones |
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| Nationality | British |
| Born | 16 January 1985 Crewe, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 4 August 2008 (aged 23) West Kingsdown, Kent, England |
Craig Jones (born January 16, 1985 – died August 4, 2008) was a skilled English motorcycle racer. He grew up in Northwich, Cheshire. Craig attended Charles Darwin Primary School and later Hartford High School. He sadly passed away in 2008 after a racing accident. He fell from his bike and was hit by another motorcycle.
Contents
Craig Jones: A Motorcycle Racing Star
Early Racing Days and British Championships
Craig Jones was born in Crewe, Cheshire. He spent his childhood in Northwich. Later in his career, he moved to Peterborough. Craig started racing at a young age. He quickly became very successful in junior motorcycle racing.
He won the British Junior Mini-Moto Championship in 1996. The next year, he won the British Senior Mini-Moto Championship in 1997. In 2002, he became the British Junior Superstock Champion. These wins showed everyone his amazing talent. After these successes, he moved up to the British Supersport Championship.
Rising Through the Ranks: British Supersport
In 2003 and 2004, Craig raced a Daytona 600 in the British Supersport Championship. He was part of the Valmoto team. This team was linked with the Triumph factory. Triumph was returning to racing after 30 years. Craig was the only rider for Valmoto in 2004. He finished the season with a win in the final race. He ended up in eighth place overall.
The year 2005 was Craig's best in the British Supersport Championship. He rode for the Northpoint Honda team. He finished on the podium seven times. This meant he came in second place overall in the championship. His great riding earned him a chance to race in two World Supersport events in Britain. He did very well in these races.
At Silverstone, he started near the front of the grid. He was even fighting for the lead. But he had to leave the race because of clutch problems. At Brands Hatch, he finished in eighth place. Craig also got to ride for the famous Ten Kate Honda team at Brno. There, he finished an impressive sixth.
Stepping Up to World Championships
In 2006, Craig moved up to the Superbike World Championship. He rode an FP1 bike for the Foggy Petronas team. This bike was not very competitive. He only scored points once, finishing thirteenth at Imola.
In 2007, Craig returned to the Supersport World Championship. This was his first full season as a Supersport rider. He rode for the Reve Ekerold Honda team. He faced many technical problems early in the season. He even crashed out of the lead at Brands Hatch. But he still managed to get on the podium three times. These podium finishes were at Brno, Vallelunga, and Magny-Cours. At Vallelunga, he was leading when the race was stopped. He ended up finishing fifth in the overall standings.
For the 2008 season, Craig stayed in Supersport. He rode a Honda for the Parkalgar Racing Team. This team was based in Portugal. He earned three more podium finishes. These included the first race of the season in Losail and another at Valencia. He was sixth in the championship before his final race at Brands Hatch.
Craig Jones: His Tragic Passing
Craig Jones passed away due to head injuries. These injuries happened during a fall and collision. This occurred at the Brands Hatch race on August 3, 2008.
The accident happened at Clark Curve. This is a fast turn that leads to the main straight part of the track. Craig was in second place at the time. He was trying to take the lead from another rider, Jonathan Rea. As Craig sped out of the turn, his bike's rear wheel lost grip. He was thrown across the track. Another rider, Andrew Pitt, tried to avoid him. But his bike's front wheel and footrest hit Craig's helmet.
The race was stopped right away. Medical staff quickly helped Craig. He was taken to the Brands Hatch medical center. Doctors tried to help him there. He was then flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital. Doctors tried their best to stabilize him. Sadly, Craig Jones was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on August 4, 2008. He was running second in the race when it was stopped. This meant he moved up to fifth place in the championship standings. Other racers, Tommy Hill and James Toseland, were with him when he passed away.
Carl Fogarty, a four-time world champion and Craig's former team boss, spoke about him. He said Craig was "one of a crop of good young riders who were the future of British racing."
Remembering Craig Jones: Tributes
Many tributes were made to remember Craig Jones.
The Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, named a corner of their track after Craig. The owners of this circuit were also involved with Craig's Parkalgar Honda team.
British Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow raced with one of Craig's spare helmets. This was at a race in Knockhill a week after Craig's death.
On March 14, 2009, Eugene Laverty won a World Supersport race for Parkalgar in Losail. His bike had a small sticker of Craig's racing number, #18. After the race, Laverty said his win was for Craig. He said Craig had helped make the team competitive.
On August 17, 2008, James Toseland rode in the 2008 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix. He wore a black armband. He also put Craig's number 18 on his bike. This showed his sadness.
On September 7, 2008, Tommy Hill rode Craig's bike for one lap around Donington Park. He carried the English flag to remember his friend. The race marshals also waved their flags.
Craig Jones Memorial at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
On October 22, 2009, a special ceremony took place. A temporary statue of Craig Jones was shown. It was made by Portuguese artist Paula Hespanha. The statue showed Craig on his motorbike after crossing the finish line. This statue will be the main part of a larger monument. The monument also includes the design of the main roundabout leading to the racetrack.
This monument is a large landscape sculpture. It looks like the main straight part of a racing circuit. It stretches all the way to the main grandstand's car park. This big art project helps frame the statue. It also creates a path for people to walk up to the statue.
Paulo Pinheiro, the owner of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and the Parkalgar racing team, spoke at the event. He said, "it is a very special thanks to Craig Jones who will be forever immortalized in our memories." He added, "This monument will ensure that Craig Jones will never be forgotten."
A permanent statue made of marble and stainless steel was planned. It was expected to be finished in 2010 or 2011. If completed, it would be the only stone statue in the world showing a motorbike.
Career Statistics
Craig Jones competed in various motorcycle racing championships. His career showed his dedication and skill in the sport.
