- Simon Crafar’s former Honda VFR750R RC30 is heading to auction in the UK
- The bike is expected to sell for up to £70,000
- Crafar is now Chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel
A Honda RC30 raced by New Zealand’s Simon Crafar before later being campaigned by TT legend Phillip McCallen is set to go under the hammer in the UK this July alongside an incredible collection of historic race bikes.
One of the motorcycles raced by former New Zealand road racer Simon Crafar is set to headline a major UK motorcycle auction this summer, with the ex-Crafar Honda RC30 expected to fetch as much as £70,000.
The 1992 Honda VFR750R RC30 — finished in iconic Castrol colours — will go under the hammer at Iconic Auctioneers’ motorcycle sale at Kempton Park in London on July 18.
The bike was originally raced by Crafar during the 1992 British championship before later being campaigned by Isle of Man TT legend Phillip McCallen in short circuit competition the following year.
According to the auction listing, the RC30’s engine was fully tuned by respected race engineer Tony Scott and the bike also features flat-slide kit carburettors and Öhlins front forks.
From GP Winner To MotoGP Stewarding Boss
For Kiwi fans, the Simon Crafar connection is what makes the bike especially significant.
Crafar remains one of New Zealand’s most successful international motorcycle racers, competing in both World Superbikes and 500cc Grand Prix racing throughout the 1990s. He famously won the 1998 British Grand Prix at Donington Park aboard the Red Bull Yamaha WCM YZR500 — one of the standout results of the 500cc era and notably the only non-Honda victory during the 1998 season.
After retiring from racing, Crafar reinvented himself as one of the most recognisable faces in MotoGP broadcasting, becoming hugely popular through his pitlane reporting and technical analysis for Dorna’s world feed coverage.
More recently, he stepped into one of the most influential roles in world championship motorcycle racing.
From 2025, Crafar became Chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel, replacing Freddie Spencer in the role overseeing race incidents, penalties and rider conduct across MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3.
The role effectively places the Kiwi at the centre of MotoGP’s decision-making process whenever controversial on-track incidents occur — something that has become increasingly high-profile in recent seasons.
More Than Just The RC30
While the Crafar/McCallen RC30 is likely to attract strong interest from collectors, it’s far from the only significant race bike heading to the auction.
Another standout is an ex-works Kawasaki GPX750R World Superbike machine that won the Hungarian WorldSBK round in 1988. The official Kawasaki France-backed racer remains in running order and carries an auction estimate of £8,000–£10,000.
A 1989 Kawasaki ZXR-7 TTF1 endurance racer from the World Endurance Championship will also be offered for sale. That machine competed at Le Mans, Spa and the Bol d’Or during the 1989 season.
And for classic racing enthusiasts, the auction catalogue also includes a 1958 Moto Morini 175 Corsa and a 1955 MV Agusta 175 CSS Squalo from the famous Robert White Collection.
Other interesting models include a 1955 Vincent Series D Black Knight, a Ducati Desmosedici RR, a 1952 Vincent Series C Black Shadow and, for some reason, a very ratty 1980 Harley-Davidson FLT Road Glide – unrestored…
However, for Kiwi motorcycle fans, it’s hard to go past the significance of seeing one of Simon Crafar’s former race bikes emerge from the glory days of early 1990s superbike racing.
To follow the auction, head to Iconic Auctioneers.
Pics: Iconic Auctioneers
