As you will probably know by now, one of the great British hopes in World Championship motorcycling, Craig Jones, died in hospital on the 4th of August very early in the morning after his crash at Brands Hatch on the third.

In his career he won the 1996 British Junior MiniMoto Championship, the 1997 British Senior MiniMoto Championship, 2002 British Junior Superstock Championship and many more wins, awards and plaudits.

In 2005 he finished second in the British Supersport Championship before moving to the World Superbike Championship with Foggy Petronas for 2006, where he acquitted himself well on a bike that was down on power compared to the rest of the field.. In 2007 he finished fifth in the World Supersport Championship. In 2008 he was a regular podium finisher and contender for race wins and amongst the favourites for the Championship title with Parkalgar Honda - again proving that a power deficit was never going to be enough to stop him scoring well and consistently

But the simple facts about an illustrious race career don't tell the whole story. Because Craig Jones, more than anything else, was simply one of the nicest, kindest, funniest and most caring people that you'd ever meet. From a personal point of view, Craig was a good friend of ours so his death has hit us hard.

So now that the editor has written the formal stuff I just wanted to share with you all a few of the memories that I have of him so I can try and show you all what a wonderful person he was.

The memory that always sticks out for me, when I think of Craig Jones, is when I was walking around the paddock at Brands Hatch two years ago involuntarily getting a pair of jeans signed by the racers. Eventually I gave in and decided to start asking for the signatures, and when I saw Craig passing on his moped I pulled him over and gave him my marker pen. By this stage my jeans were full of signatures in reachable places, so he had to sign my lower leg…but being on a moped made it more difficult. Eventually he told me to put my leg up on the pillion so that he could reach where he wanted to sign. Needless to say, this caused him some humour and I’m certain he took extra long signing just to see how long I could balance in my heels.

Then there was the time in 2007, when he crashed his bike and broke his pelvis. That night his arm bled all over the table at the CRASH gig, but he still had a smile on his face and laughed and joked with all of us sitting at the same table. Our editor offered to drive his motor home back the next day, which was much appreciated. However, the next morning when we texted to ask what time he would like us to be there the reply was “Oh thanks mate but I’m already nearly home…couldn’t sleep so I drove.”

That increased my admiration for him to even more than I thought possible. (Ed - I thought he was nuts. Something I regularly reminded him about. In fact we were laughing about it on Saturday...)

A friend of mine just showed me a quote that was written regarding Barry Sheene (Dave "Lippy" Lippett, Wed Mar 12 2003, Team Ixion Mailing List) and I thought I would copy it into here because the words made me think of the situation in a different light:

“Saddened to hear about the tragedy at Brands, but the Sheene thing sort of puts it in perspective a little bit. Imagine if Sheene had never raced, and spent his life in pursuit of motorcycling fun...He would possibly have been
just another unfortunate individual who succumbed to illness at a ridiculously early age...As it is, he leaves behind a legacy of heroism, bravery, triumph over adversity, a rich life spent enjoying himself doing the things he most wanted to do, competing in the company of friends and like minded people. An epitaph that can be applied to everyone that ever raced and lost their life in the pursuit of their passion...Without passion and commitment, life is empty and hollow....Chase your dreams whatever they are, and let us celebrate the lives of those who chose to do likewise....”

So, all that is now left for me to say is this:

Craig, you have always been one of the people I admire most in the paddock, and whilst you may not have known that, it was always the case. You always made me laugh and smile and you always restored my faith in people with how you never failed to be a great person. To watch you crash was heartbreaking, but it was even more heartbreaking to hear of the result.  

Rest In Peace and I have no doubt that you will win your big race in the sky. Everybody I have ever encountered, who had met you, adored you and looked up to you as the next big thing. Whenever I see curved clouds I will think of you inventing your own circuit up there. Mate, you’ll always be remembered as a winner in my heart.

Our love and sympathy goes out Craig’s parents, to Karen and her children, and to the rest of Craig’s friends and family.

LB