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.)
humpty ·
Y the hell have we not heard of this guy b4?
N where is he now?
dangerous ·
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.
dangerous ·
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 ]
dangerous ·
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 ]
humpty ·
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?
humpty ·
dangerous wrote:Plus the many people that have rung for advice but never needed our service.
That would be me..... Eerrmmm Sorry!
Stanley ·
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 ·
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.
humpty ·
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!
Dasdubber ·
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!
dangerous ·
Some more shots
dangerous ·
Craigs work space for special Volksy jobs
dangerous ·
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.
humpty ·
Not exactly a street car huh? But impressive none the less!
Mechanical Hilborn injection?.... Kinda old skool!!
I like!
dangerous ·
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.
Gibbo ·
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.
Dak-A-Tak ·
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
Stanley ·
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.
matberry ·
Craig, I hope you get well soon,
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, mate.
Dave please keep us updated.
LIFE IN THE LOW LANE ·
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.......
Dasdubber ·
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
Keith Haeusler ·
Our thoughts and wishes are with Craig and family.
Here`s to getting better.
Regards,
Keith and family.
humpty ·
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...
mactaylor ·
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.
andrewmurphy ·
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.
1303Steve ·
Hi
I hope he has full & speedy recovery.
Steve
LIFE IN THE LOW LANE ·
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.
matberry ·
How is Craig, any more news Dangerous???
davidoconnor ·
Really sorry to hear this!!
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. Craig if you read these things: get well soon mate!
Dak-A-Tak ·
Guys , I spoke to Dave on friday night . Said basicaly the same as Andrew wrote above.
andrewmurphy ·
I First heard aout the incident on Monday afternoon from Dave Stek (Craigs business partner), the first news was that he was not going that fast. I got updated by Mark on Friday night after Julie popped into Crankshaft to let everyone know more details.
I will pass eeryones best onto Julie through Craigs email and Mobile phone. She is checking his emails.
andrewmurphy ·
(I copied what i sent to Julie)
Hi Julie,
Just thought to drop you another email to say hello and to say our thoughts are with you.
I also would also like to pass on the best wishes of the VW scene around Australia and NZ.
There are many people who are wanting to say hello and let you know that they are hoping and praying for a speedy recovery.
Andrew and Winnie Murphy
grumble ·
Dangerous you have a wealth of information,thank you for enlightening those of us who weren't aware of his achievements and my best wishes for his fast and complete recovery. Kind regards Les
dangerous ·
I got a message thos morning saying that Craig has reponded to the nurse by wiggling his toes and squeezing her hand.
Thank F#%K for that!
westi ·
that's great news.
hopefully for him it will be quick and not to painful road to recovery.
mactaylor ·
very good that is a great sign look after your mate dave hope your knee deep in a workshop helping him out, good news!
LIFE IN THE LOW LANE ·
Good new Dangerous. Any progress is good progress in a situation like this.
matberry ·
Fantastic news Dave
Thankyou very much for the update.
66deluxe ·
So whats the latest with Craigs health? i hope he is wiggling more than this toes now.
dangerous ·
Last I heard was he still cant do much.
They are weaning him of the sedatives, and he can hear things and respond with hand squeezing.
He has a tube in his neck for breathing, and I guess so they can work on his shattered jaw.
They have fitted a 'halo' to his head to stabilise his broken neck,
but there are many other little things hat will make progress very slow.
From what I heard, each day things will improve.
But it will be a slow recovery.
LIFE IN THE LOW LANE ·
If each day yields only small progress then that is certainly good progress.
Good news Dave to say the least.
andrewmurphy ·
They also operated on his knee (he had a piece of bone behind his knee bone from his broken leg). i have not heard how that operation went.
h ·
not good news..
as a biker rider i hope he has a speedy and full recovery..
good luck craig 👍
andrewmurphy ·
just received an update regarding Craig.
they ended up not operating on his knee. they plan on doing that this week.
He has a broken ribs, jaw, collar bones, leg and arm. He has fractured several vertebrae and a cheek.
They have a halo so that he doesn't move his vertebrae.
they currently have a traecheotomy for him to breath through but they are hoping to pull that out this week.
he is conscious and responding to people that visit. His legs are also moving a mile an hour (he could never sit still).
he should be able to start talking when they remove the traecheotomy.
He is doing very well.
Thank goodness for that.
Dasdubber ·
Great news Andrew - hopefully the recovery continues smoothly (albeit slowly).
Al
pudgy ·
All my best wishes going his way...
Craig and the crankshaft team have done a lot of work for me over the years, and for those who've never dealt with Craig, all I can way is his willingness, enthusiasm and great advice stay with you along time, and quite honestly the quality of his work is phenomenal.
Here's to a smooth recovery...
matberry ·
Fantastic news, thanks Andrew.
The words from Pudgy above are absolutly on the money and I would like to say same goes from my family and I.
dangerous ·
Well it has been nearly seven weeks since Craig's accident,
and he is recovering slowly but surely.
On my vist on Monday he passed his "twelve questions" well,
but he must do this for three days straight
before they consider his short term memory to be good enough
and then they will move him out of the neurology ward.
His other injurys are healing well,
except the broken knee, which will take some time they think.
He was hoping that the halo could be removed within a couple of weeks.
That is driving him mad, but at least he knows, now, that it is there for a good reason.
It was very confronting to see craig all banged up like that,
but it seems very promising that he will have a full revovery in time.
I gave him an update on how all the VW people are doing and you could see
the old Craig shining through with all the gears turning with interest.
If the knee and memory keep on the same recovery track,
he may be home for Christmas, which will be a huge positive for him,
and also all his family and friends.
matberry ·
THANKYOU Dave. That is all fantastic news. It would be great to get Craig home by christmas.
LIFE IN THE LOW LANE ·
Troy passed on the news re his recovery. Great to hear Dangerous. Might take him up some one of Pete's videos from Warwick.....
Dak-A-Tak ·
Good to here ,was getting concern deep down inside , but to here he is breathing on is own and talking, is very ,very good news . Hope he gets to go home for Christmas .
Thanks Dangerous for letting all of us know .