Craig Jones, one of the rising stars of British motor sport, died on 4 August, 2008, after a high speed crash at Brands Hatch.
He came off his bike rounding the circuit's demanding last corner while chasing the leading rider in a Supersport World Championship race. The 120mph crash left him unconscious in hospital with severe head injuries.
He died the following morning in the intensive care unit of the Royal London Hospital with his father, mother, sister, girlfriend and racing friends Tommy Hill and James Toseland at his bedside.
The 23-year-old was a former British Junior Superstock champion and had been competing in Supersport since 2003. He had a troubled season in the World Superbikes in 2006 but his form since moving to World Supersport had demonstrated his development as a racer, winning the title of 'Young Rider of the Year' in 2007.
Mr Jones was born on 16 January, 1985, in Crewe and lived in Oundle in Cambridgeshire. He took part in his first race at the age of 14 in 1999, winning for the first time later that season at Oulton Park, a circuit that would remain one of his favourites.
At 17 he became British Superstock champion and earned the step-up to British Supersport, in which production motorcycles run in highly competitive races, the following year.
In 2006 Carl Fogarty personally selected him to ride for his Foggy Petronas Superbikes racing team. The youngster was flung in at the deep end and though he came in a disappointing 27th overall, he gained valuable experience.
This showed itself when he finished an impressive fifth in his debut World Supersport season, despite suffering a spate of technical problems over the course of the year. With his new Parkalgar Honda team he was having a good 2008 season with four podium finishes before his death.
Racing legend Fogarty was quick to pay tribute to Jones: "Craig was one of a crop of good young riders who were the future of British racing and I took a chance on him to ride for our team in 2006 because I thought he was the pick of the bunch."
Jonathan Palmer, head of Brands Hatch circuit, said: "He was a really super young guy and only on the Saturday evening was I chatting to him in the paddock with him telling me about his World Superbike ambitions for 2009. Craig was so determined and professional, would always say hello and enthusiastically keep me in touch with his progress.
"Britain has lost a wonderful rider whom I admired enormously and had every chance of being a future world champion. It is fitting that the abiding memory so many of us will have of Craig was him riding brilliantly, battling for the lead of an incredible race, in front of his home crowd."
Report this message By The Starkies xx RIP on 14th Oct 2011He did it for you Craig a very emotional win
He did it for you Craig an emotional win
Report this message By Tabbie Ruff on 27th Aug 2010I never knew Craig, or even heard of him, racing not being an intrest, but I heard about him from his little sister, Cassie, who is one of my best friends, and all I can say is that he is duly missed, by his family, and definately by Cassie and her Mum.
R.I.P
Craig.
Report this message By Conrad Furmston on 24th Nov 2008We will never forget your smile and your friendly personality always remember those good times when i was there with you you were and still are my hero i will see you soon .x
Report this message By John Gateley on 7th Nov 2008I was one of many there at Brands Hatch on the day that Craig died. It is one of those terrible moments when everything stands still and you realise that we had possibly lost a fantastic talent. Far too young to go with way too much to still do. He came across as a good lad and a rising talent. May he rest in peace and look down on us in the years ahead. God Bless you, Craig.

Report this message By Jim Wicklund on 10th Sep 2008You will be greatly missed. I will save your memory in my heart and mind. What a great racer and person. DAMN, this sucks!!
Report this message By Kevin Lyth on 9th Sep 2008The price you pay is very high
You never think your going to die
The speed, the buzz, crowds flashing by
And for just one moment, you actually flyIt's all gone wrong and you hit the floor
The lucky ones just come out sore
Then like a drug, you just want more
You race again to get your scoreBut weep so deeply for the very few!
Who never really make it through
There time is up! They race no more
Lying motionless on the cold hard floor
The muted crowd, the silenced roarA racer gives his very soul
To grab the prestigeous place called pole!
If he could return to hear crowds sing
He would'nt change a bloody ! thing !He's given his life ! His very soul
Rest assured he's up there, racing still ! for pole !!I know the pain of racing, so I write from the heart.
R.I.P.
Craig Jones
Report this message By julia c on 1st Sep 2008I was there at Brands Hatch for my second time for the WSB, and saw what a gift for racing he had. I was amazed and then so so saddened.
Thoughts and love to family and friends and all touched by you.
God bless
Report this message By colin eve on 31st Aug 2008I never met Craig but i remember and grew to love him since watching him race for the lead in british supersport in 2005!!! With Keith Heuwen and Niall Mackenzie's superb comentry and Craig's superior riding skill you couldn't help but notice this true motorcycling talent. The motorcycle racing community has lost a bright shining star. Racing is what we all love!!! He was gone so suddenly we will never recover or forget him!!! We all love our bikes and our racing!!! God rest your soul Craig!!! Heaven is a better place with you in it!!! We will never Forget You!!!! God Bless You!!! XXXXX
Report this message By BOB WAY on 25th Aug 2008Me and my son had just arrived on the sweeping bend towards the home straight at brands when this accident with craig happened,it absolutely took my breath away,and to see him motionless on the track was something i still have not got out of my mind.
Craig seemed to be stretching this bike to its limit,and for it to have ended the way it did was such a sad ending,i never met the man,but feel he would have reached greater heights in the future as you could see how much effort he was giving and it really was hell for leather racing.
Whenever i attend world superbike racing now,i will always have a small thought for craig,someone who we would have all have heard of in the future,for all the right reasons,,,,RIP mate,, from all of us here
Report this message By Andrew Lester on 21st Aug 2008We had watched the race on TV and then travelled to Turkey on holiday. It was only when we read the papers later that we realised, we were all so upset.
Jonesy was absolute class, always giving 100%, he rode the wheels off that bike and nobody could have got as much out of it as he did.
He was a crowd favourite not just because of his style but also because he was one of us, he was a young guy who enjoyed what he did.
I truly hope Andrew Pitt decides to carry on, I think we all know Jonesy would want him to.
We have all lost one of lifes good guys, he may not be here but he will never be forgotten
All our love
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