Foggy Petronas sign Craig Jones
 

Just seen that Craig Jones British Supersport runner up has been signed to ride the FP1 next season.

Good break for him I guess as will not have the pressure to win any races!

How much longer are they gonna last? Hard to believe that Craig will get much from it.

what did he do wrong to deserve that? :D

I guess it is not the first time he has ridden an under-performing bike; and he did ok on that Triumph. :D

I think he's mad to sign to ride that thing.

:SHAKES HEAD:

Looks like Foggy has discovered that he's a bolock short!!!! ;)

He is certainly a piston short of being competetive.

I'm with Twinfan on this.......

Look a little further up this thread.....

Do you see the picture Domski has posted? Now look above it to Twinfan's avatar...Do you see the resemblance?

One is a googly eyed, intensely irritating, whining creature...the other is crazy frog!

Like Felix, I can't undestand how Petronas keep going, anyone seen a road bike on the road yet?

color siuts him

Why is he mad, I can't see how it is much different than James Ellison riding the WCM, everybody knows that the equipment is handicapping him but he still recieves alot of attention for his riding ability.
So if Craig Jones is on the Petronas next year and puts in better times and performances than Gary McCoy and Steve Martin and maybe even beats a few bikes/riders that he shouldn't then I can't see as it will do him any harm, especially if he hasn't been offered any other rides outside the UK.
It will give him a chance to learn world championship tracks, gain alot of experience and could help put him in with a chance of a better ride in the future.

anyone seen a road bike on the road yet? [/quote]

they are making them in Basildon/essex about 30 miles from me and i have seen the mock up being tested on the road and recently the finished article.

not too bad i suppose, defo wont see many in the car park, but not worth half what they sell them for.:o

Saw one at Silverstone WSB on a stand, actually looked really nice with the lights/mirrors etc, just a mock up I guess, but looked good

I can't see it leading to better things. I think he'd have been better off in WSS on a CBR, or even in BSS for another year.

Being on a lower quality bike hasn't worked for James Ellison yet has it?

Kev, I don't disagree with you. I can understand Jonesy wanting to get on the world stage to show his stuff, but history suggests it's a hard slog to get from the back of the grid to the front in one series. If you look at most riders across the top classes, they came from somewhere near the front of their previous class and got a competitive ride in the new class. In other words, in order to get the very top, you need to be near the front in the lower classes first. Even then it's not easy.

Yes Felix it is certainly better that way, but it does depend on what his other options are, after all it wasn't that long ago Karl Harris was dominating BSS and since then it looks as if he is still waiting for his oppotunity to arise. Where as Craig didn't dominate BSS and is now getting onto the world stage to see if he can do something there. Can't say riding the Petronas stuffed Corsers Career

Time will tell

Yes, but Corser was proven winner before he went to ride for Foggy. Had he stayed any longer he's career would certainly have suffered.

But Corser is an ex World Champ on a Duke and was at the front on an Aprilia. I think he took the Petronas job when the possibility of being near the front was there, but when the 1000cc ruling came in it was clear they'd never reach it.

Karl Harris is in the factory Honda BSB team next year, so it's worked for him.

I can't think of a single example where running "well" at the back of the field on uncompetitive machinery has lead to a front running ride in the same series...

I agree - look at Garry McCoy. He was challenging Rossi on the Red Bull yamaha and winning races. He was seriously considered as a championship contender before having a horror run of injuries etc.

Look where he is now!

Yes, that's my point. Somewhat depressing really for all these young guns. Yet, we need more young guns getting good rides in top classes.

I don't know if it's depressing, I just think some riders should choose their rides better.

For example, where would Chris Walker be now if he'd chosen to ride for Suzuki in WSB instead of the Shell Honda in GPs?

I'd like to know what Leon Camier is doing next year...

Its worked for him in that after wining BSS a few years later he gets a top ride in BSB still doesn't mean he will get anywhere on the world stage. Rutter was also a factory BSB rider this year and last so where is he next year WSB ? or Moto GP what was his reward for being one of the top Brits in one of the most respected domestic series in the world.

Chris Walker has had some good rides over the years, made a few wrong choices and is on a underdog of a bike this year, but his riding is doing the talking as did Corsers when he was on the Petronas. Team managers know what they are looking for when it comes to hiring riders and there arn't to many Brits on the world stage in top teams next year and even in BSB the Brits played second fiddle to foreign riders.
I'm certainly not going to condem Craig Jones for giving it a go I would rather encourage him to get out there and show them what he has to offer.

I think it's fair to say that there isn't a "cook book" approach to a successful career in racing, even if you have the best ability. Making the smart decision at the right time is not straighforward. Let's hope Craig made the right one. It would be great to see him succeed.

Maybe the money is good?? Maybe he likes his food, FPR were runners up in the WSBK food Championship.



On four wheels I grant you but the current F1 World Champ Fernando Alonso got a break at Minardi, a team nailed firmly to the back of the grid!

Can't think of something similar on two wheels though.

Talent can shine through on a ****e bike, given the right circumstances. A. Gobert on a Bimota in Aus anyone?

Ray

[Edited on 20-10-2005 by Ray]

Good luck to the lad. I'll cheer for him. He's got into a high profile championship at a time when there ain't enough seats for all the riders .

True, but how many wanted that particular seat???

I think it's a great shame that foggy and his team get such a consistant slating. At least he has had the guts to see the project thru. It's not the teams fault that the rules changed to their disadvantage. What would people have wanted ? for them to throw the towell in and walk away?? With regard the riders, best of luck to them , they have all managed to take some scalps over the past few years. Lets not **** Jone's decision give him a chance. Who cares if they don't win races at least they are trying . AND i'm sure Craig will be giving it his best.

Fair point, can't say I agree with you though. I think they should have thrown the towel in. Plus they're not really playing the game are they - how many FP1s have been sold to the public?

Well if you have invested a vast sum of money into developing a race bike, and you don't throw in the towell, there must be a reason. Who really cares if we have not been able to rush out and buy one, how many people will rush out and buy an FO6 next year. They obviosly satisfied the rules re the bike numbers otherwise the bike would not be there. SO SHOULD A CLUB RACER CONTINUE IF HE IF CONSTANTLY AT THE BACK OF THE FIELD??????