Craig Jones, 23, World Supersport motorcycle racer died in a high-speed accident at Brands Hatch
ZapRatz
Wednesday, 6th August 2008
http://www.crash.net/motorsport/wsbk/news/167328-0/a_battle_craig_jones_couldnt_win.html
http://pix.crash.net/motorsport/view/436702.jpg
Craig Jones' parents and girlfriend pay tribute to the fallen World
Supersport rider. Fellow British motorcycling stars James Toseland and
Tommy Hill were at his bedside.
Craig Jones' parents and girlfriend have paid tribute to the World
Supersport star, who died in a high-speed accident at Brands Hatch on
Sunday.
"Craig fought his utmost - like he always has done - but this was one
battle he just couldn't win," Craig's father, Steve Jones, told the
Northwich Guardian.
The 23-year-old was battling for his first World Supersport victory in
his home event when he lost the rear of his Parkalgar Honda as he
accelerated through the fast right-hand turn that leads onto the home
straight.
Third placed Andrew Pitt was unable to avoid the fallen rider, who was
flown by air ambulance to Royal London Hospital suffering from a
serious head injury. Jones died shortly after midnight with his family
and friends by his side.
Jones was runner-up in the 2005 British Supersport Championship, rode
for Foggy Petronas in the 2006 World Superbike Championship and had
taken seven podium finishes since switching to the World Supersport
series at the start of 2007.
"He was beyond repair," said Steve of Craig's condition after the
accident.
"Craig was a fit lad and he didn't want to give in - now was not his
time to go.
"But that's the character of my boy - he was young, strong and brave."
Speaking to the Peterborough Evening Telegraph, Steve added:
"We keep thinking he's going to walk through the door, or there will
be a phone call saying it's a mistake. But it isn't.
"For his mum, she always worried about the dark side of the sport. I
never did. You think it will never happen to you.
"At three, his mum bought him a PW50 Yamaha motorcross bike, and we
played around the fields that backed onto the house.
"I took him to race meetings, because I used to do grass track racing
myself. But it wasn't for him and I never pushed him.
"Then in 1995, he went on to race mini motos, and that was it - he was
hooked.
"At seven years old, he could ride a Yamaha like a speedway rider.
"I knew he had something about him, and he wanted to win at everything
he did."
Mum Yvonne confirmed that she 'hated him racing' due to the dangers,
but took comfort from the fact that Craig fully understood the risks
involved and loved the sport.
"I hated him racing... But he said to me, 'Mum, you might as well cut
off my arms and legs if you say I can't race'.
"It was what he loved. He died doing what he loved best. We do take
comfort from that.
"He told me, 'If I die racing, I will die happy'."
Craig also leaves a girlfriend of five years, Karen Atkins.
"He was charming, witty and fantastic," she told the 'paper. "He was
everything to me. He was my world."
Karen revealed that double World Superbike champion James Toseland,
racing in MotoGP this year, had rushed from a gig with his band in
Leicester to be by Craig's bedside at the Royal London Hospital.
Another British motorcycling star, Craig's best friend Tommy Hill, was
already present.
"As I opened the curtains, James came through the door, and I said,
'Your hero is here, Craig'," she recalled.
"I'm sure that was the moment he went. He heard my voice and knew
James and his family and best friend, Tommy Hill, were there."
Steve explained: "Someone mentioned to James Toseland if he had heard
what had happened to Jonesy, and he put his mic down and rushed from
the gig straight to the hospital."
Steve also wanted to thank everybody who had passed on their best
wishes to the family.
"We've been overwhelmed," he said. "And I just want to thank every
single person who has tried to contact us."
Craig leaves two sisters, Cassie (20) and Kirsty (29), and a niece
Libby (18 months).
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ZapRatz
Aug 8 2008 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/chester-sport/other-sports/2008/08/08/motorcycling-tributes-paid-to-racer-who-died-doing-what-he-loved-59067-21488418/
TRIBUTES have been pouring in for tragic Cheshire motorcycle racer
Craig Jones, who died following a crash at Brands Hatch on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was battling for the lead in the British leg of the
World Supersport Championship when he lost control of his 600cc bike
at the 120mph Clark Curve, fell and was hit by the following bike.
Parkalgar Honda rider Craig suffered serious head injuries and was
transferred to the Royal London Hospital by Kent Air Ambulance, but
died in the early hours of Monday having never regained consciousness.
Craig, of Northwich, was a well-known figure on the Cheshire
motorsport scene, having risen through the ranks to become one of the
sport’s outstanding prospects.
Mum Yvonne, who rushed to Kent after seeing the crash on television,
said: “It is our only consolation that he died doing what he loved.
“We had talked about the dangers seven years ago when he had a bad
smash and he said then, ‘mum, if I die racing, I’ll die happy’.
“He has had an extra seven years.”
Former World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty added: “It’s such a sad
loss for his family and racing.
“Craig was one of a crop of good young riders who were the future of
British racing.”
Craig regularly raced alongside Frodsham rider Howie Mainwaring during
his teenage years.
Howie’s dad Steve, himself a former superbike rider, contacted The
Chronicle on Tuesday to pay tribute to Craig.
He said: “I’d like to pass on my sympathies to Craig’s family. Howie
and Craig grew up together and Howie is devastated.
“From a parents’ point of view, you just don’t expect this sort of
thing to happen and it is so upsetting when it does.”
Steve, of Frodsham, added: “Craig’s death is a big, big loss to the
sport. He was one of the best, if not the best, in his series.”
Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision, which owns
Brands Hatch as well as Cheshire circuit Oulton Park, said Craig was a
“determined and professional” rider.
“I am so desperately sad that Craig died from the injuries he
sustained at Brands Hatch,” he said.
“Britain has lost a wonderful rider whom I admired enormously and had
every chance of being a future world champion.”
Wrexham-based freelance photographer Glynne Lewis captured pictures of
Craig just two minutes before his crash.
He had spoken to him earlier in the day.
Glynne said: “He spoke of his ambitions for next year and getting
better results this season. He was determined to do well in front of
British fans.”
Craig, who attended Hartford High School and Mid-Cheshire College, won
the British Superstock Championship in 2002.
Jones moved to Peterborough five years ago, setting up home with
girlfriend Karen Atkins. He had two sisters, Kirsty and Cassie, and a
niece, Libby.
Craig’s funeral will take place on Monday, August 18, in Peterborough.
To leave your tributes to Craig, visit www.chesterchronicle.co.uk.
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