The change of personnel from Freddie Spencer to Simon Crafar has been positively received by the riders – the New Zealander can better understand the current sport
From the 2025 MotoGP season, there will be a change in personnel at the FIM Race Commissioners. Freddie Spencer, who has been the Chairman of the Stewards since 2019, will retire. The role of the three-time motorcycle world champion will be taken over by ex-racer Simon Crafar
The New Zealander has been Dorna Sports’ pit lane reporter since 2018 and shares his expertise on the English Worldfeed. Like ServusTV expert Alex Hofmann, he also rides around each track on a camera motorcycle to present the track.
Crafar is seven years younger than Spencer. His appointment is welcomed by the riders. “I think it’s one of the most difficult tasks here in the paddock,” says world champion Francesco Bagnaia. “I think we can have a good dialog with Simon.”
“We talk to him a lot over the course of the weekend.” Because when the riders come to their media meetings with the journalists in the afternoon, Crafar is usually there too. He listens and also asks technical questions.
That’s why Bagnaia is confident: “If he always follows the same line, then it can be really good. But it’s not an easy job.” It remains to be seen whether new rules or a new list of penalties will be drawn up with Crafar in the future.
“I wish Simon all the best, because it’s a very difficult position,” says Marc Marquez. “It’s like the referee in soccer. You can never make everyone happy. We’ll see if the rules stay the same or where the limits will be. “
Spencer has often been criticized in recent years because penalty decisions were often not consistent and comprehensible. He was also criticized for being too far removed from actual racing. After all, he ended his GP career in 1989. A comeback in 1993 was not successful.
Crafar rode a few races in the 500cc class and the 250cc class in 1993. Between 1994 and 1997, he competed in the Superbike World Championship. In 1998, he returned to the 500cc class with the WCM Yamaha team.
Third place in Assen was his first highlight. Then came Donington. Crafar took pole position, set the fastest race lap and won the Grand Prix. Eleven seconds behind him, a certain Mick Doohan was second.
In the fall, Crafar was only narrowly beaten by Doohan on Phillip Island. In 1998, WCM rode on Dunlop tires, which Crafar coped with perfectly. The works teams rode on Michelin tires. WCM also switched to the French tires in 1999.
Crafar did not get on with the tires and parted company with WCM after a few races. He briefly returned to the Superbike World Championship and also rode in the British Superbike Championship (BSB). He ended his career as a racing driver at the end of 2002.
Since then, the New Zealander has worked as an instructor and still regularly attends track days. He also had the opportunity to test the KTM RC16 in Spielberg in 2021 and the Ducati Desmosedici in Misano in 2022.
“I think he has a better understanding of racing,” says Marco Bezzecchi. “Freddie also raced, but that was a completely different era. Simon also raced in the past, but he’s always been here in recent years.”
The fact that Crafar is currently in contact with the riders is particularly appreciated by them. “He always comes to us to understand the sport and asks us questions,” praises Jorge Martin. “He will do a good job. He will understand how a motorcycle moves.”
Crafar and his family have also lived in Andorra for well over 20 years. Many MotoGP riders have settled there in recent years. They therefore also see each other in the neighborhood between races
