Craig Jones (1985-2008)
(5 August 2008)
It's always difficult to know where to begin with this sort of thing. Craig Jones, who succumbed to injuries sustained following a crash at Brands Hatch last weekend, was a shining talent destined for future world championship. He will be missed by family, his Parkalgar Honda team, the WSS paddock and fans alike. It would be wrong for us to embellish anything already written by others who knew him. Suffice to say that our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Motorcycle racing is phenomenally dangerous and thankfully, deaths are rare. Riders go out on track knowing the risks but also with an unquenchable desire to race a bike to its limit. It's acknowledged that if you don't fall at least once, you're not going fast enough.
"Not going fast enough" wasn't something that could be levelled at Craig who, in what turned out to be his final race, was harrying Jonathan Rea for the lead, despite being on inferior machinery. Ironically, he was awarded another career best second place for the race.
Hearing of the death of a rider always comes as a shock. Craig was a racer through and through. Rest in peace.