Cox Wins NZ Rotax MAX Challenge Round 2

press release

NZ National and South Island  Junior Yamaha champion and Formula Junior NZ2 Chris Cox from Rangiora achieved an impressive win at the second round of the NZ Rotax Max Challenge on the weekend of  17th and 18th May at Te Puke in his Arrow AX9 28/30 chassis.

Chris qualified 5th behind Nick Cassidy, Dan Kinsman, Scott McLaughlin and Andy Schofield on Saturday and finished heat 1 in 4th place after slipping back to 10th early in the race after a first corner incident caused some minor damage to his kart.  Things went more smoothly in heat 2 and once again he was placed 4th with everything to play for on Sunday and only a couple of 10th’s separating the first 4 drivers on the track.

pic by Andrew Bright, www.ultrapix.co.nz

The pre-final saw Chris post the fastest time in lap 18 of 20 and take 2nd place putting him in a good position to challenge the pole sitter Nick Cassidy in the 25 lap final.  In the 7th lap of the final Chris took the lead and though Nick kept up the pressure throughout the remaining laps a smooth consistent performance from Chris meant Nick was never quite close enough to challenge him for the win.  Chris once again posted the fastest lap time, this time in the final lap of the race.

The weekend’s result places Chris in the lead in the series with two rounds to go at Hamilton on July 19th and 20th and Auckland on 4th and 5th October.  The two highest placed junior Max drivers win a trip to represent New Zealand at the Rotax World finals in Italy at the end of November. 

Chris will be back on the track at Christchurch on 25th May for the 2008 Big Ben Pies Enduro and the chance to win a trip to Queensland, Australia with Tasman Motorsport and Jason Richards.

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