CRAIG JONES AND NORTHPOINT HONDA RACING KEEP CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES ALIVE
26 September 2005 - Northpoint Honda Racing

20-year-old Craig Jones could still lift the British Supersport crown at the final round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time after finishing fourth at Donington Park, three places in front of his main rival in the Championship Leon Camier.

The Northpoint Honda rider rode a gritty race in the inappropriate conditions at the Moto GP Circuit. A heavy downpour prior to the race saw a mad panic within pit-lane and a dash to fit the wet Metzeler tyres to the youngsters'' machine. Qualifying in sixth position on the grid Jones was eager to get the better of Camier and to regain some vital Championship points. Riding a cautious race in the traitorous conditions Jones mastered his Nokia N-Gage backed Honda round the 2.5 circuit to a creditable position.

His fellow team-mate 19-year-old Cal Crutchlow suffered a disaster after winning the previous two races at Cadwell and Oulton Park and qualifying in second position at Donington Park, his run of good luck came to an abrupt end and he crashed out of the lead at the Old Hairpin. The talented rider gained yet another fantastic start getting away with the leaders and it was not long before he once again hit the front of the pack. Pulling a lead on his fellow rivals on every lap Crutchlow soon began to suffer with grip as the track began to dry out.

Jones commented ''Those were the worst possible weather conditions. With a partly drying track it was essential to remain focused and not lose concentration. I saw Cal had crashed out which also made me a little more cautious. I still have a chance of winning the title at Brands Hatch, it''s a lot to ask but anything is possible in racing.''

Crutchlow backed up his comments saying ''I felt comfortable all weekend in both the wet and dry sessions and I was looking at taking another podium here at Donington but sadly it wasn''t to be. I was losing grip as soon as the track started to dry, I lost the rear end going into the Old Hairpin and managed to save it but before I knew it the front tucked underneath me. It''s such a lottery in those conditions and anything can happen to anyone, unfortunately it happened to me. I''ll be back on it at Brands and looking forward to the last race of the year as it''s certainly going to be an interesting one.''

The final round of the season is at Brands Hatch on the 9th October.

www.northpointhondaracing.com

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