Fujitsu 'Cool' Drivers In Winning Mix At City of Melbourne Titles
press release
Last weekend’s City of Melbourne Titles, held at VACC Park in Port Melbourne, saw three Fujitsu ‘Cool’ Drivers competing in four classes. In glorious winter conditions Melbourne’s Damon Strongman was joined by Tasmania’s Brody Appleby and WA’s Jason Le Cocq, the latter crossing the entire continent to go into battle with some of Australia’s hottest young talent.
While 13-year-old Strongman enjoyed yet another stellar front-running weekend, Appleby improved all weekend on a circuit he was unfamiliar with, and Le Cocq starred throughout, only to be denied a brilliant win in the final when within sight of the flag.
It was so close to a fairytale victory for the 15-year-old Kingsley driver, but after 15 thrilling laps, where the battle for the lead changed virtually every lap, Le Cocq was to be denied one of his biggest career wins when he was speared off the road as he commenced his final lap. The youngster had every reason to be disappointed yet showed remarkable maturity after innocently being eliminated.
“It was such a good race. We were battling so cleanly and all race long I had been setting myself up for that last lap and really felt I had done enough to claim the win. I was well clear going into turn one when South Aussie Luke Marquis came from a mile back and fired across the front of my kart out of control. He hit me so hard it broke the steering and I was out on the spot, less than 500-metres before the chequered flag. We had worked so hard all weekend and been right amongst it throughout and I’m so disappointed to miss out on a win here after coming all the way from WA.”
Strongman claimed second overall in Junior National Heavy, finishing a close second to National champion Anton De Pasquale, before bouncing back with a brilliant win in Junior National Light from grid post five after dominating the class in Saturday’s qualifying and opening heats.
“We’re pretty happy with finishing in second place in JNH to the Australian champion, but we lost pace with the kart in Junior Light in the Pre-Final as the weather changed to warmer conditions. We just couldn’t repeat the speed from yesterday and felt slightly disappointed with the end result of fifth, but we made some changes and the kart was a rocket in the final ... I’m over the moon with taking the win, especially having to race and pass my way to the front - what an unreal feeling, this is really big event and I’m stoked.”
