Motorsport: Kiwi rider seriously injured

Former world superbike racer New Zealander Simon Crafar was seriously injured in an accident while riding an enduro bike two weeks ago in Romania.

Racing websites have reported that Crafar, 40, 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 reported as able to move his legs and has been transferred to a spinal unit in Barcelona.

The highlight of Crafar's grand prix career was a victory, from pole position, in the 1998 500cc British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Crafar started 123 World Superbike (WSBK) races over a period of ten seasons, although he only competed in four full seasons between 1994 and 1997.

He 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.

- NZPA

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