I met Craig in 1989 whilst we was working at Manx Buggies.
This is a photo of his Volksy that was still street regestered at the time.
It was a 1970 1500 bug with a 2386cc volksy case and heads, and ran 12.2 with the bumpers and petrol for fuel,
and without the bumpers and with methanol running through the IDA's it ran a best of 11.65@113.8.
At the 1990 Winternationals it reset the ss/c record @ 11.80. (Freestone, and then Berg held the record after him.)
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Y the hell have we not heard of this guy b4?
N where is he now?
While at Manx Buggies, Craig began doing engine work for a local Midget Speedway guy called Stan Burrow.
Eventually they developed about 275hp out of a pauter cased Autocraft headed 2700 that was used in that type of endurance racing.
Craig now is part owner of Crankshaft Engineering where I have worked for the last 10 years, and with Craigs experience and attention to detail, we have passed on some of that hard earned R&D to customers VW combos all around Australia and NZ.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Here is Stan's car but with the Pauter heads.
Also the ARPM engine that craig built for his Red car. It was 2800cc.
[ Edited on 19-3-2006 by dangerous ]
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
In 1995 Craig fitted Stan's heads to his 2800, but fuel system Dramas prevented any runs that were representative.
He then sold off the car to buy into Crankshaft engineering where the VW R&D has become a special favour to the lucky few.
Here are some of the cars and people who have used our Cylinder head R&D and engine machining sevices:
Dave Butler
Darrel Yates
Dave Prior(secret agent B4...="before"...Prior...get it?!)
David O'Connor(DO'C....)
Dave Stoker(heads)
Peter Page
Rod Richardson
Michael Nash (VW prostock, and VW 2275 that ran 11.1@119!)
Glen Ruddick 2386cc w'Autocraft heads (NZ)
Two other street guy's in NZ that I can't recall their names (sorry)
Mike Kristen, crank, and Autocraft heads.
Rene Felkel, head R&D (top seret)
Plus the many people that have rung for advice but never needed our service.
[ Edited on 31-3-2006 by dangerous ]
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Well I guess he'd know of Geoff Pilgrm here in WA....
Geoff was a bit of local (WA) legend in the VW powered Midget world.
I have a 69mm crank, rod set and FW that he built for a local methanol burning short course off roader.... God damn you should see the machining on the FW!
Thats a wild looking exhaust on that engine! Was that a 'street' engine or midget?
dangerous wrote:Plus the many people that have rung for advice but never needed our service.
That would be me..... Eerrmmm Sorry!
I've used their service on a few occasions...just let me say they do a fantastic job.
and Craigs never short of advice for the novice.
dangerous wrote:Plus the many people that have rung for advice but never needed our service.
Oh Crap, I didn't mean for that to sound nasty.
We don't mind offering advice at all, just keep us in mind when you need something done. No pressure at all.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
dangerous wrote:dangerous wrote:Plus the many people that have rung for advice but never needed our service.
Oh Crap, I didn't mean for that to sound nasty.
We don't mind offering advice at all, just keep us in mind when you need something done. No pressure at all.
I didn't take it that way Dave... If ever I need more head work or machining done.... Either Shimo of you guys will get the job... No one else gets a look in IMHO!
Yeah I have to second Dave and Craig for their quality of craftsmanship, not to mention work ethic and assistance for all those questions we ask! When I get some spare money (whenever that will be) I'll be lining up for some headwork on these nasty crossflow type IV heads!
Some more shots
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Craigs work space for special Volksy jobs
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
This is two of the engines that Craig tinkered with.
The first was a 1915 built up from spares that ran in the Twelves.
The other shot is the 2800cc ARPM engine that ran a best of 11.50@118mph....pretty damn good when you
think that this car was all steel and had factory glass...only bumpers and interior removed.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
Not exactly a street car huh? But impressive none the less!
Mechanical Hilborn injection?.... Kinda old skool!!
I like!
For those people that know or have had dealings with Craig,
this is just to let everyone know he is in hospital in a serious condition
after a nasty crash on his KTM.
Details are sketchy as to the the cause,
but it was only 5 doors up from his house and no other vehicles were involved.
His injuries are extensive with many broken bones, and he is in an induced coma after the first scans showed brain swelling.
Please dont ring Crankshaft engineering, because they are now snowed under with one man down,
and only know what Craigs family, and his wife Julie have passed along.
....but if praying is your thing, please do what you can.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.
I wish him all the best, after a 120mph coming together with a car on my bike in 93, fractured pelvis and the rest, I can only sympathise.
All the best Craig.
Shit Shit Shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not good news .
My thoughts & Wishes are with you mate . Top bloke to know & deal with . All ways helping people behide the scene .
Get well fast buddy !!
Dave keep us up todate please !
Peter Page
Man that is no good, I hope he heals quickly....I used to work down the road from Craig (Crankshaft) and even when he was busy he always had time to help you out and talk volksies.
He was also at Warwick last year racing one of Tom Poots' (I think) old offroad buggies.
Craig, I hope you get well soon,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, mate.
Dave please keep us updated.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
Damm!! I keep telling Troy bikes are 2 wheeled coffins!! Please keep us informed Dangerous!
Craig did a hell of a lot of work on Troy's turbo EFI set up in his Fasty as well.
my prayers are with the family.......
ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE
Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!
I was pretty shocked when Dave told me the news today - as a bike rider (except at the moment due to funds!), I can always appreciate the fine line between enjoying a ride and ending up badly hurt.....I have my fingers crossed Craig makes a full recovery. Best wishes to him and his family.
Al
Our thoughts and wishes are with Craig and family.
Here`s to getting better.
Regards,
Keith and family.
All the best Craig... I think its safe to say the Oz VW fraternity are looking forward to seeing you back on the road and doing what you love real soon...
must be the thing to do at the moment a mate of mine came off his ktm down here in albury a week ago and looks like he wont be back at work for months, hope all goes well up there. We allways find in these situations that you find who are your real friends are.
EVERLAST CONCRETE TANKS
1800 552 123
I was chatting to Mark of Crankshaft last night. The doctors tried to operate on his arm yesterday and reduce the amount of sedation to see how he would react. They were unable to operate and they decided to keep him fully in a coma. he also has a broken jaw. The latest i heard was that he hit a tree at full noise.
I used to hang out with the guys at Crankshaft when i was in school. Craig had all the time in the world for me and my dumb questions. He also helped many time with my engine including dropping his work to rebuild my engine when it seized. He is also building my 2275 EFI engine. I am one of the guys that lives in NZ.
Winnie and my thoughts are with Julie, Craig and their families.
Hi
I hope he has full & speedy recovery.
Steve
Well I heard he wasn't at full noise and actually not going too fast at all but I guess it depends on who you hear it from but I do trust the person who told my brother and he certainly isn't someone who stretches the truth one bit.
ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE
Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!
How is Craig, any more news Dangerous???
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
Really sorry to hear this!!
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. Craig if you read these things: get well soon mate!
