Reece Cohen made his way to Newcastle for the final round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship over the weekend. Cohen, a state champion in the KZ2 class, was looking to finish his season on a high. Reece was in his new CRG chassis with ABS braking and was looking to get as far up the grid as possible for the Topgun Racing team.
Cohen headed out on circuit for Saturday morning qualifying and was looking to get himself as far up the grid as possible. The DMC Security sponsored entry quickly worked his way into the top 20 and was then into the top 15 looking to make his way further forward. Reece was pushing hard on the back of the top 10 and was trying to get himself in the hunt. Cohen ended the session in position 13 with the team tuning up the kart for the opening heat race.
Reece knew he had some work to do in the opening heat starting for position 13. The CRG Australia supported entry had an opening lap that had to be seen to be believed, jumping up 8 spots and straight into the top 5. Cohen raced in the top 5 for the entire heat and was showing the pace he had to offer. Reece crossed the line in position 5 but due to post race penalties was classified in the top 3 in 3rd place.
Cohen was back to position 13 for his 2nd heat start due to his qualifying position but was able to move up a spot on the opening lap. The Mattia Madami powered entry moved his way into the top 10 and was chasing after the drivers ahead, once again showing improved pace from his qualifying effort. Reece crossed the line in position 10 but was relegated to 12th spot due to a drop down penalty.
Cohen was starting heat 3 out of position 6. Reece was up on the 3rd row for the final heat of Saturday and he was looking to make up more spots in a package he had great pace in. The St George Karts supported entry settled into 7th on the opening lap but looked racing and was back into 6th by lap 5. Cohen made his way into the top 5 in the back end of the race and was looking strong. Reece crossed the line in position 5 but was elevated to 4th spot in the post-race penalties.
advertisement
Position 5 was the starting point for the final heat but Reece didn’t get the start he was after dropping down to position 8 on the opening lap. The Topgun Racing Academy driver was racing on the edge of the top 10 in one of the most frantic and tense KZ2 races in recent memory. Cohen try as he might couldn’t make up positions crossed the line in position 9, only 3 and half seconds behind the race winner!
Cohen was ready to do battle over 25 laps and got a great start jumping into 6th spot on the opening lap. The DMC Security backed entry was racing well and made his way into the top 5, when he began to struggle with the ABS braking on his entry. Reece drove his heart out and continued to battle on the edge of the top 5. Cohen crossed the line in position 7 rounding out a strong weekend for the NSW state champion.
Reece’s father Darren spoke post weekend on his son’s racing and strong performance. “Running a new chassis was amazing this weekend. The 2022 CRG road rebel is weapon and great on its tyres and our engine had plenty of power. When battling with his front rival they couldn’t pass Reece down the straights or out of corners even with Reece being 10 kg heavy. Mattia had provided Reece plenty of power and we just need to learn and adjust to the new ABS brake system. We hope to be right on the weight limit at the start of 2023 and we’ll be back to have another shot at the championship”.
Cohen will be a driver to watch once again in the 2023 season!
advertisement