Cook comes home with Waikato title

STRONG FINISH: Sidecar team Rob Miller (right) and swinger “Red” George overcame a poor start in the Waikato sidecar championship final to finish runners-up. Picture by Doug Menzies

GISBORNE saloon car racer Ethan Cook piloted his 76G car to first place in the Waikato championships at Huntly Speedway on Saturday night.

Sidecar pairing Rob Miller and “Red” George (8G) were runners-up in their class at the same meeting.

A field of 18 saloon cars split into two groups. Each group raced over two heats to decide the finalists.

Cook qualified second on accumulated points for the final and started from the outside pole position on the grid.

“Ethan fully committed himself to the first corner and from then on he was able to control much of the race,” his father Dean said.

“He was challenged by a Huntly driver, who got past him at one stage, but Ethan returned the favour and ended the race six car lengths in front.

“He was very happy with the result but had to get home in a hurry, so I climbed up on the podium for him,” Dean said.

“That felt pretty cool.”

Cook’s elder brother Daniel (77G) also raced in the Waikato champs.

“Daniel was very fast and also qualified for the final, where he went from Grid 6,” said his father.

“But he picked up a bit of damage and had to go to the infield.”

Miller and George went into the sidecars final as top qualifiers after three wins from three heats.

Fifteen bikes were vying for the title.

“A bad start in the final cost us,” Miller said.

“But we were able to make our way up from fifth to finish second. We nearly got the leader on the last corner but we hit a rut, and that slowed us down a bit.

“Red and I were rapt, just the same. Our new motor is going great. The bike is flying.”