13th August 2013

Cox zooms to the front of karting class - From the CQ News

Jeff Cox with his Go Kart at the Gladstone Double Direct Go Kart meet (Pic: Luka Kauzlaric)

JEFF Cox has only been back on the karting track since the start of this year, and for the first time competitively in his life.

Having driven karts when he was younger just for fun, Cox was enticed to drive in races by a close friend, finally taking to the idea and buying a kart of his own.

“My mate did it and got me into it, and then he left,” Cox said.

Now with a new bunch of friends out at the karting track, and his father and brother having joined him on the tarmac, Cox has already improved to be in the front running of the 125 Tag Restricted Light class without much practice at all.

“I am up there at the front, I don’t get to practice much; I just come out on race days,” he said.

With his new karting mates heckling the relative newcomer from the side of the pit area, Cox explained that the decision to actually take up karting was simple.

Having loved the thrill of being on track as a kid and seeing the chance to again get that experience for a fraction of the cost of other motorsports, he dived in without hesitation.

“My other mate just got into drag racing and it cost him $40,000; it cost me around $7000,” he said.

Despite the heckling from onlookers, who Cox just laughed off, he encouraged more people to join the karting ranks, especially kids.

“If people want to get into it, they just have to ask some questions and have a go,” he said.

Cox is having a good go himself, finishing in the top three in each of three races on Sunday and finally third in his class overall.

Double Direct Winners

• Tag 100 – Rae Fothergill
• Tag 125 Light – Rory Evans
• Clubman Light – Shaun Wilson
• Tag Restricted Heavy – Desmond Hall
• Clubman Heavy – Jereme St Pierre
• Rookies – Tristyn Martin
• Cadets – Ty Spencer
• Tag 125 Heavy – Matthew Dicinoski
• Junior National Light – Jack Bussey
• Junior National Heavy – Kane Bycroft