A 23-Year-old Cheshire motorbike racer, tipped as a future world champion, died in hospital yesterday after he fell from his bike and was hit by another rider during a race.
Craig Jones, originally from Northwich, fell from his Team Parkalgar CBR600 Honda bike at Clark Curve at Brands Hatch on Sunday, and was struck by a following rider as he challenged for the lead in the British Round of the World Supersport Championshipat the track in Kent.
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The race was stopped and Mr Jones was treated at the track before he was airlifted to hospital with a head wound.
He died yesterday at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel with his family by his side, according to the team he raced for, Parkalgar Honda.
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda team manager, said a corner at a new race track being built in the Algarve in Portugal would be named after Jones following a request from his family.
Mr Buckmaster said: “Craig’s dad Steve is obviously very upset but he called me. He wanted to thank everyone for everything they have done.
“We all know the risks. Safety measures and technology have improved in racing but it does still happen.”
Mr Buckmaster said Jones, who had moved to Warmington, Peterborough, joined the Parkalgar Honda team this year, would have been a world champion.
He said: “It’s obviously very sad. Craig was a great guy and a great rider. He was a genuine person. It is a big loss to sport.
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