PA SPEEDWEEK GREMLINS - posted 7 July, 2009
Talented Australian Brad Cox had a frustrating 8 days of the Pennsylvania Speedweek. Super fast every night, evident by his 5 heat race wins and making ALL A MAINS except when denied by electronic issues resulting in his engine shutting down.
Missing Friday nights show at Lindas Speedway after yet another strong performance at Susquehanna Speedway on Thursday night was cut short whilst leading the B main with his engine shutting down due to a boiled battery, The team spent countless hours trying to rectify the problem before Saturdays $10,000 to win show at Lanco Speedway.
Winning his heat race, 10th to 5th in his other heat race, and qualifying directly to the A MAIN in 13th position, Cox was denied again. 20 laps into the 50 lap event Cox was coasting in 10th position, and looking at a strong finish, when yet again his #17 Castrol/ Leckie Insurance Brokers machine shut down with electronic issues.
A dejected team was left to wonder what could have been. “ We had updated to the latest wiring harness available, and at this stage everything points to a problem within this harness” a disappointed Cox stated after the event, “ We were very fast every night this week, and have very little to show for it”.
FEATURE RAINED OUT - posted 1 July, 2009
Path Valley Speedway - Friday 29th June 2009
Night 3 of the PA Speed week events at Path Valley Speedway were brought to a premature end last night as rain began to fall from the heavens just as the best micro drivers in the world presented for the 30-lap A MAIN. Young Australian Brad Cox had put in a strong performance to this point, and was set to start the main event from inside of the 7th row.
Heat one seen Cox start on pole, and he was never headed in the 10-lap journey, despite several restarts. Heat two, with a full inversion, found Cox starting from the rear. At the drop of the green Cox blasted from 10th to 8th on the first lap, and up to 6th by lap 5. By race end the talented youngster had climbed into the top 5. “We definitely could of done with a caution period about mid race” Cox stated, “ by the time I got to 5th the front 4 had to great of a lead”
With 70 plus cars in the pits, Cox qualified directly to the abandoned A MAIN in 13th.
Next event is at the huge ½ mile Susquehanna Speedway on Thursday night.
COX DENIED - posted 1 July, 2009
Hard charging Australian Brad Cox was denied a certain A MAIN start last night. Qualifying an excellent 23rd out of 96 cars after the heat races Cox was set to transfer to the A MAIN via his 2nd row starting position in the B MAIN. At the first restart in the B MAIN, and in a strong A MAIN qualifying position, Cox’s machine failed to accelerate off the line. The talented young Australian was forced to retire.
On inspection Cox’s crew found that they had let the kid down. A piece of race tape placed over one of the electrical components to stop water getting into it whilst washing the car had not been removed, ultimately resulting in its failure. A dejected crew chief, and father, Michael Cox was devastated at his oversight that had cost his talented driver yet another A MAIN start. “ Races are won in the race shop at home in preparation. This time the lack of preparation on my part has cost us dearly. We will regroup and make certain that it never happens again”
The Brad Cox Motorsport Team now prepare for tonight’s event at Path Valley Speedway, where the young Australian has been running strong in recent weeks.
IMPRESIVE - posted 29 June, 2009
Path Valley Speedway - Friday 26th June 2009
Kicking off a huge week of racing the Brad Cox Motorsport Team was in the pits at the picturesque Path Valley facility Friday night. With cars from throughout the USA, and even another Aussie entered, the racing was sure to be fast. Starting on the out side front row Cox hung tough on the high line for two full laps before gaining the lead. From there Cox drove away from the opposition to score an impressive win.
With a ten car inversion for the A MAIN, the young Australian was buried deep in the field, with the likes of Dicely, Sawyer, Brokens all starting up front. With a super fast, and very rough track following rain earlier in the night, it was no place for the faint hearted. Cox put in a very impressive drive, finishing again in the top 5. “ It would have been great to have more than one yellow” Cox stated following the A Main, “ We had a great car, super fast, we just needed some more caution periods to give us some more opportunities.”
Trailways Speedway - Saturday 27th June 2009
A slick one lane track greeted drivers for night one of PA Speedweek. With passing and finishing points on offer, it was all about heat racing to gain a good A main start position. Heat 1 found The AUSTRALIAN start out of position 7. Cox drove a good heat to finish in 5th, although it could have been 3rd had it not been an incident in turn 2 with 3 laps to go. Passing two cars on the outside, Cox was all but passed, when these two cars got into each other, resulting in them running high into the turn, chopping Cox’s run.
Heat two seen a outside second row start. Again Cox done all he could on a one lane track, finishing 3rd.
With the top six transferring from the B MAIN, the young Australian’s 4th spot start was a blessing, with a follow the leader event to the checker flag, Cox drove a great race to lock the Castrol/ Leckie Insurance Brokers #17C into the main event.
Starting way back in 24th position in the 26 car field, Cox was hoping just to avoid the carnage, and finish with some points. With only one yellow flag stoppage the field became strung out, and passing was difficult. Cox manage a great run to be up to 16th position at the only caution period on lap 20, but pushed high into turn 1 on the restart, to finish in 19th.
“Disappointed to lose those few spots on the restart, but very happy to make the A MAIN and finish the event with some points” Cox was quoted as saying following the event, “ their where a lot of very fast guys that never even made the A main, so we are reasonably happy with what we done hear tonite. We will go to Lincoln Speedway tomorrow nite and see if we can get this #17 closer to the front”
TOO AGRESIVE - posted 22 June, 2009
That was the only way to describe the cause that denied young Australian Brad Cox another top 10 finish last night at Trailways Speedway.
With most tracks in Pennsylvania rained out, Trailways track conditions were always going to be a challenge. With a slick one lane track for heat races, there was very little passing, with most drivers finishing where they started, and Cox was no different, finishing in 10th position.
With nothing to loose, the Castrol/Leckie Insurance Brokers backed team made what they believed was necessary changes to the #17 machine. With a race track very slick, but widening up allowing more opportunity to pass, Cox blasted from his 19th starting position to be in 12th place by mid race. Making some in car adjustments during a yellow light caution period at lap 13, Cox was on target for at least a top ten finish.
With 6 lap to go, running in 9th spot, the young Australian got into turn 3 a little too aggressive, resulting in a half lose, climbing up onto the infield.
Rejoining the field back in 15th, Cox was able to get back to 13th position by race end.
The Brad Cox Motorsport Team will now set their sights on the gruelling P.A. Speedweek with eight races in nine days!!!!
GOOD RECOVERY - posted 21 June, 2009
Young Aussie Brad Cox recovered from an ordinary heat race to blast to another top 5 finish last night at Path Valley Speedway.
Starting from 6th position on a super tacky track, Cox struggled to find his grove, with a super tight race car, finishing in a disappointing 7th.
Come A MAIN time COX was on the money. With the crew making wholesale changes to the car to free it up prior to the main event, the young Australian was undeniably one of the fastest cars on the track.
Starting deep in the field in position 13, the #17 Castrol/Leckie Insurance Brokers backed machine was up to 10th at the first caution and 8th at the second caution on lap 16 of the 20 lap journey. Making some in cockpit adjustment whilst under the caution flag, Cox picked up the pace considerably, finishing a credible 5th.
“The car was super fast following that last caution period. I just wish I had adjusted a few things earlier” the Australian stated after the event, “We had a car in the A MAIN quick enough to win this thing, we just need to get better at getting the car right earlier in the night”
LATEST RESULTS - posted 17 June, 2009
ILLINIOS SPEEDWEEK-
Night 2- Tri-City Speedway- Pontoon Beach IL
Following the disappointment of travelling some 13 hours only to have the first round of the Illinios Speedweek rained out at Macom,IL, Young Australian Brad Cox was excited about his prospects on night two at the awesome 3/8 mile Tri City venue. With the best of the best in town for the event, Cox and his crew rose to the challenge early with an emphatic heat race win, in a track record time, to the delight of the huge crowd.
With his heat race win securing a second row starting position in the 20 lap A MAIN, the 15 year old Australian done himself proud to finish with a top five, following home 4 factory backed machines, to be the first "privateer" across the line.
Night 3 Belleville Highbanks IL
Following an impressive result the previous night, the Brad Cox Motorsport Team were excited to be racing the high banks of Belleville. With a track that did not allow much passing early, Cox was forced to be happy with his 3rd place finish in his heat race.
With well in excess of 50 cars in attendance this 3rd would force COX to race his way into the A MAIN via the B MAIN . Cox put on a dazzling display to finish a close 2nd, thus locking himself in for the 20 lap A MAIN.
Starting deep in the field in position 19, the young Australian was putting in an amazing display of running the bottom groove, making progress every lap, when on lap 14, whilst running in 10th position, he clipped the inside concrete wall coming of turn 4, resulting in a spin. Cox would rejoin the field at the tail for the last dash to the chequered flag, where he passed several cars to finish in 15th.
"I made a stupid mistake" Cox stated after the event,"We had another top 5 car tonight. I had rubbed the inside wall in turn 4 a few times earlier in the Amain, but I got into it just enough to turn me around on lap 14, trying to get a good drive down the inside to take 9th position"
The Brad Cox Motorsport team are now back in Pennsylvania for the upcoming PA SPEEDWEEK, but are already planning their next assault to the mid west and more POWRi events.
COX RULED OUT - posted 4 June, 2009
Following further medical tests yesterday, doctors have told Brad Cox NOT TO RACE this coming weekend. Still suffering the effects of an accident last Friday night at Path Valley Speedway which left the talented young Australian unconscious, doctors have scheduled more tests for later this week should his condition not improve.
At this stage Brad Cox Motorsport are hopeful that their driver will be 100% recovered in time for next weeks Illinios Speed Week, commencing Thursday night at Tony Stewart's (NASCAR Driver) Macon Speedway.
"Attending Illinios Speed Week is high on our list, but the health of our driver is #1. We will do whatever the doctors say is necessary to see his full recovery from this accident"
COX INJURED - posted 1 June, 2009
Young Australian speedway star Brad Cox was knocked unconscious and sustained a dislocated finger and bruising to the upper torso, in a racing incident Friday night at Path Valley Speedway.
The accident occurred during the A Main event when Cox was dicing for third position with a fellow competitor when their two machines came together, resulting in little damage. Moments latter Cox was struck from behind at full speed by another competitor who apparently "had not seen what was happening in front of him" Cox stated. Momentarily knocked unconscious from the force of the impact, Cox was still suffering from headaches and dizzy spells Sunday.
The #17c Castrol/ Leckie Insurance Brokers machine suffered significant damage from the impact, both to the chassis and engine. With the car already undergoing chassis repairs, and engine components on order, the Brad Cox Motorsport Team are hopeful that their driver is fully recovered in time for the Illinois Speed Week in ten days time.
$10,000 to WIN Spring Nationals- DAY TWO Sunday. - posted 25 May, 2009
With passing points on offer, the Castrol-Leckie Insurance Brokers #17C team was hoping to draw a good number resulting in starting deep in the field. Not exactly the spot they had hoped for, Cox started 4th in his heat race. Again the young Australian made his way forward, finishing an exciting 2nd.
This transferred Cox directly into the Qualifying race, which he started out of 8th position. With a track starting to take rubber fast, the team missed the set-up badly, and although climbing to 5th early in the qualifier the hard charging Aussie finished a disappointing 7th.
Happy to make the A MAIN, and yet disappointed to be starting deep in the quality field out of 18th position, the team adjusted the car for what they believed would be a rubber down, single lane race track. And they were right on the money.
At the drop of the green young Cox missed his gear change, and immediately dropped down the order to 22nd position. Methodically working his way forward from his disastrous start, Cox was back up to his 18th starting position on lap 24 when the yellow flags flew for the first, and only, stoppage of the gruelling 50 lap event. With many of his fellow competitors struggling with the rubbered track, Cox continued his progress forward, and by race end had put in a fantastic drive to finish a credible 11th position. " I just wish I had not of missed that first start. Maybe we would of been able to finish in the top 5, as the car was great!!" stated the talented young Australian following the event.
$10,000 to WIN Spring Nationals- DAY ONE Saturday. - posted 23 May, 2009
With the best of the best gathered for the running of the Spring Nationals at Trailways Speedway, Brad Cox and the entire team were looking forward to a strong showing against the cream of Micro racers, and although not taking home the top prize, Cox definitely left the two day 'marathon' event with the respect of a lot more of his more seasoned competitors.
Day one saw the young Australian start 5th in his heat race, and, from the get go, Cox made his intentions clear, driving a great race to finish a very close second.
With so many cars in the pits, this qualified Cox out of 10th for the all important A-MAIN.
With the top 5 finishers from this first day A-MAIN, Cox knew the importance of making his way forward. At the drop of the green the Castrol machine made immediate progress, and with 5 laps to run was up to 6th position. Cox set out after the 5th place, (and the last transfer spot for Sundays A-MAIN) but unfortunately came up about 2 car lengths short, finishing in 6th.
Missing that last direct transfer spot to Sundays "big one" Cox wasknow forced to do it all again on Sunday, and try and race his way into the $10,000 race.
Another Top 5 - posted 22 May, 2009
Despite suffering electronics issues in the heat race, which resulted in a disappointing 5th, Brad Cox blasted from his 10th starting position to finish a very impressive 5th place. Still learning the likes and dislikes of the new car, Cox showed plenty of tenacity to work his way to yet anther top 5 finish.
The Brad Cox team are now focused on the $10,000 to win Spring Nationals at Trailways Speedway this Saturday and Sunday.
New Car Debut - posted 19 May, 2009
This past Friday night saw the Brad Cox Motorsport team un veil the new CASTROL EDGE- LECKIE INSURANCE BROKERS machine.
The night got off to a brilliant start with the young Australian blitzing the field in heat two, winning convincingly by the straight away.
Starting the A MAIN from 8th position, Brad drove the new "green machine" into 4th position before breaking a chain, resulting in a DNF.
Saturday night Cox dished up more of the same in his heat race, blasting from deep in the pack to a brilliant 2nd place. The Castrol machine was finding plenty of bite in the Trailways clay, pulling the front in the air lap after lap.
With the strange way A main's are lined up at Trailways, Brad started out of 9th on the grid. Passing three cars on the inside for 4th position on lap 6, Brad was "chopped' coming off turn four, resulting in substantial front wing damage to the 17C machine. With a quick drive through visit to the pits, the young Australian rejoined the race in last position. Undeterred, Cox drove an aggressive race from the back of the pack, passing cars at will whilst pulling huge wheelies, (due to no front wing) with 5 laps to go in the 20 lap Feature event, Cox was up to 7th position, only to suffer yet another broken chain, the second in two nights. Cox's father (crew chief) laminated that the new cars geometry was substantially different than the old car, and that he had made the wrong adjustments with chain tension.
Although disappointed with the two DNF's for the weekend, the team were very impressed with the speed that Brad has shown in the new car. With 3 race meetings this coming weekend, including the $10.000 to win Spring Nationals at Trailways Speedway on Sunday, the team are adamant that they will have the chain issues sorted in time to have a crack at the money on offer.
Cox On The Podium Again! - posted 5 May, 2009
14 old Australian speedway sensation has visited the podium for the second time in two weeks, after driving a brilliant A MAIN race at Trailways Speedway on Saturday night (May 2nd). Finishing 3rd in his heat race on a track that was super hooky, and super rough, Cox qualified 5th for the A main.
On a freshly graded track for the A MAIN, Cox was quietly confident his Castrol/ Leckie Insurance Brokers backed #17C micro sprintcar was running good enough to give the more fancied drivers a "run for their money". And the young Australian, now residing in USA, did not disappoint. Cox drove to 4th by lap 8, and by lap 13 of the 20 lap journey had driven into third. Although catching second place with every lap, Cox rode out a huge moment on lap 18, stalling his run for 2nd position.
The Brad Cox team was extremely happy with the nights results, and are very much looking forward to getting their driver in the teams new car in the coming weeks.
Back On Track - posted 25 April, 2009
Brad is feeling a bit better, so we decided to attend the meeting at the 3/8th mile Trail Ways Speedway. Still trying to work out how everytime we race at this place we start our heat race from the rear. Anyway, starting last did not effect our results, as we were really ordinary in the heat race, and with the track super fast, we finished where we started.
Starting from the second last position of the 24 car A MAIN, we decided to throw caution to the wind and try a few different things. With Brad feeling worse by the minute, we were not expecting any miracles. Without giving you a blow by blow description of the A MAIN, the end result was Brad drove a great race, and secured an amazing 9th place finish in a tough field.
Outstanding result considering Brad's virus, and 23rd starting position.
We hope to have our new car on the track in two weeks, complete with a new engine plant, just in time for the beginning of the big money shows starting with the $10,000 to win race at TRAIL WAYS SPEEDWAY.
Unable To Race - posted 24 April, 2009
We should have been racing at Path Valley but Brad has picked up a virus and is in bed.
Big Decision To Continue The Dream - posted 20 April, 2009
Well we have made the huge decision, we have moved the entire family to the USA for Brad to continue to live the dream.
Brad had his first race since arriving in the USA this past Friday night at PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY.
With a quality field of drivers on had the racing was tuff. Brad started 2nd in his heat race, but fell back through the field to finish 5th, after sustaining a broken left front shock. This qualified Brad 10th for the feature.
Come feature time Brad was back doing what he does best. He drove a calculated race to finish an impressive 3rd place in the main event. An awesome result considering this was his first race in 5 months, and only his second in 9 months.
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