TRIBUTES were today pouring in for schoolboy motorcycle champion Chris Jones, who was killed in a crash at a racetrack.

Dozens of people have signed cards and left messages of condolence on bunches of flowers at the bike shop his parents, Pam and Clive Jones, run in Droitwich.

Family friend Simon Cooper, who has known the family for four-and-a-half years, said: "Clive and Pam did everything for Chris, and they were 100 per cent behind his riding.

"It is a such a tragic waste of talent and a shame for such a very popular family.

"He was a very down-to-earth kid and the response from the town shows there is plenty of support for them."

Chris, aged 14, died on Bank Holiday Monday when he was involved in a collision on the starting line of the 10th round of the British 125GP Championship race at Cadwell Park, near Louth, Lincolnshire.

The Droitwich Spa High School pupil was flown by air ambulance to Hull Royal Infirmary but later died.

'CHRIS WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS SPORT AND IT SHOWED IN HIS RESULTS'

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the motorcycling world's "greatest talents" who was killed doing what he loved best.

Fourteen-year-old Chris Jones was critically injured after being involved in a nine-bike collision at the start line of the tenth round of the British 125GP Championship race on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Droitwich Spa High School student, who started riding at the age of two, was flown by air ambulance to Hull Royal Infirmary where he lost his fight for life yesterday.

Stuart Higgs, race director for MCRCB Events which organises the 13-round Championship, said it was believed Chris stalled his bike as the starting signal went out.

"Just as the race started it appears that Chris stalled which rendered him stationary," he said.

"The 39 other competitors accelerated away and within a matter of seconds he was hit two or three times from behind, causing him to suffer critical head injuries."

Mr Higgs added that the 25-strong British Superbike Championship medical team rushed to the scene within three seconds and every available resource was used to help Chris.

"Sadly, his injuries proved too grave and he died in hospital," he said. "The racing community is very much a family and everyone is deeply shocked by what has happened.

"The incident would have been witnessed by many team personnel and a large spectator crowd and it was extremely horrific."

Mr Higgs said Chris was undoubtedly one of the brightest talents the sport had seen for many years. His team, Red Bull Honda, had made a long-term commitment to him.

"We would have seen him progress to world level, I am sure," he said.

He added an appropriate mark of respect would be held at the 11th round of the Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire on Sunday, September 11. "The racing community will be looking to pay its respects and we will be talking to Chris's family to ask what they would like us to do."

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of MotorSport Vision, said that to have a fatality in motorsport is always terribly sad, but for a 14-year old to lose his life is devastating.

"My thoughts are mainly, of course, with Chris's family, but also his team and the many friends he had in the motorcycle racing world.

"Chris had been racing bikes since the age of nine and had competed in more than 60 races in that time.

"I have watched him compete many times in 125cc races at our circuits and admired his talent.

"He was absolutely passionate about his sport and it showed in his results."

Chris was competing in his first season with the Red Bull Honda squad and was proving his talent, with two wins and five podium finishes to his name so far.

He was third in the points coming into the Cadwell Park event.

FLORAL TRIBUTES AT PARENTS' MOTORBIKE SHOP

FLORAL tributes, pictured left, adorned the outside of a Droitwich motorbike shop as the town yesterday reeled from the death of teenager Chris Jones.

CJ Motorcycles & Scooter Dealers in Colman Road had seven or eight bunches of flowers by its door within hours of the tragic news breaking yesterday.

Friends and industry representatives sent their condolences to Pam and Clive Jones, the owners of the shop and parents of 14-year-old Chris, who died after a motorcycle accident

on Monday.

A home-made, printed notice on the door read 'Shop will be closed until further notice, Pam and Clive, 29/8/05'.

A card accompanying one bunch of flowers said, 'Our thoughts are with you all' and another, simply, 'I am so sorry for your loss'.

A single rose and other cards had been pushed through the letter- box. One customer, known as Butch, who has his motorbike serviced at the store, yesterday said: "When I saw the shop was shut this morning I immediately knew something was up.

"It's such a shame.

"He was a good kid and had a great future."

Another visitor to the store, who declined to be named, said: "My company sponsored him, through mini-moto, since he was about six.

"He was a really talented kid, but it's his family I feel sorry for now. They lived for it and it's very sad. It's a desperate situation.

Strict safety at all race meets

THE organisers of the British Superbike Championships have stressed that stringent safety measures are in place at every race.

MCRCB Events race director Stuart Higgs said each race circuit used to host the 13 rounds of the championship are licensed by MCRCB.

"Every motorcycle and all equipment is required to pass safety tests before each race and every precaution is taken to minimise any risk of injury," he added.

"We have a 25-strong medical team on site at all times to provide any medical assistance required.

"Unfortunately, the moment the starting signal is given, if someone stalls nothing can be done."