The latest edition to the #TeamTCF blogging team is current Renault UK Clio Cup championship leader, SV Racing’s KX Akademy member Josh Cook. In his first blog, Josh rounds up his season so far:
“First of all, I would like to say that it is an absolute privilege for someone of my number #19 stature in “The Checkered Flag’s Who To Watch In 2014” poll to be given the opportunity to blog alongside #1 Alex Morgan.
(Editors note: Josh is of course referring to our writer Simon Paice’s pre-season rundown, found here)
It would be fairly difficult for me to sum up this season so far within this one blog without boring everyone to death, but having said that, I will do my best.
Having joined the KX Akademy fairly late, Brands Hatch Indy was very much a case of getting through with as many points as possible. We managed a podium in the first race with a fairly poor result in race two, however we came away from the weekend having learnt a massive amount about the car.
After ending on a fairly poor result at Brands, the whole team had a massive drive behind them to ensure we came away from Donington with some good points on the board. After two pretty awesome races (with a car that was as near perfection that I have ever experienced), we came out with a double win.
Moving onto Thruxton, we were sat second in the championship behind #1 Alex Morgan. Thruxton qualifying was a big talking point for the whole of the SVR KX team. This was for a number of reasons:
- Track Limits – I didn’t drive off the circuit.
- Track Limits – Everyone else drove off the circuit and had their times disallowed.
- Track Limits – The Clerk of the course told me to not be so conservative on the kerbs.
- Track Limits – The Clerk of the course reinstated the disallowed times against the “Judge of Facts” decision.
Obviously I am not bitter about it in any way.
So with the absolute mayhem that was labelled “Qualifying” completed, I ended up seventh and sixth for the races, surrounded by my KX team mates. After the first lap of race one, due to a pretty mega start, we found ourselves in third. With a bit more battling we finished the race in second, which was a very meaningful finish.
This was not due to any talent or ability accomplishments behind the wheel (which are virtually non-existent), but this marked a special occasion of finishing a fifth consecutive race without me throwing the car at a wall. This is completely down to the ability and competence of the engineers and mechanics alone, so for that I thank them.
Moving onto race two, another stonking first lap got us up into third once again. After some contact from another driver I dropped down to sixth. This was highly frustrating; however we kept on it and tried to close the gap back up.
Taking back fifth from Bushell into Goodwood was pretty risky (flat in fifth, but we managed to survive). A few laps later two cars in front decided to throw it at the scenery which put me in third. Happy with this position and thinking of the championship points I decided to settle for two strong points finishes. This put us 21 points clear of second in the championship.
We now move onto Oulton Park where I will continue to be as incompetent as ever and do my best to justify the ability and skills of all my mechanics and race engineers.
I will be sure to keep this blog up to date with all the motorsport shenanigans I am involved in.
Cheers, Josh Cook #66″