Crafar seriously hurt in Enduro accident

Former grand prix race winner Simon Crafar has been seriously injured in an accident whilst riding an Enduro bike in Romania.

It was reported that Crafar was hit by a car in the accident, fracturing his vertebra and requiring a nine-hour operation to put a metal plate in. Crafar is believed to be able to move his legs.

The highlight of Crafar's grand prix career was a victory, from pole position, in the 1998 500cc British Grand Prix at Donington Park, when he exploited a Dunlop tyre advantage to the maximum.

Crafar's Red Bull Yamaha crossed the finish line a massive 11.530sec ahead of five time world champion Mick Doohan (Repsol Honda). The New Zealander finished the season seventh in the world championship, with three podiums, but left Red Bull Yamaha early in 1999.

In addition, Crafar started 123 WSBK races over a period of ten seasons, although he only competed in four full seasons between 1994 and 1997. The New Zealander enjoyed his best season in 1997 whilst riding for Kawasaki, scoring seven podiums and a pole position on the way to finishing fifth overall.

Although he never won a WSBK race, Crafar came close to triumphing at Sentul in Indonesia, he was taken out on the final lap by John Kocinski, the eventual title winner.