What or who got you interested in becoming a rally driver? Or is it something you always wanted to do?
I was never competitive as a child happy to cruise at the back of the field. I remember following my dad when he was competing in motorsport and got interested myself.
I joined the Rotorua Car Club at 12. At 14, I started winning local hill climbs and rally sprints, and from then you couldn't stop me.
Who taught you how to drive?
My dad Steve Cox taught me how to drive in my first rally car, a two-wheel drive Suzuki Baleno. When I first started racing at 12, I had to drive confidently, not fast. In about a year I had driving sorted then it was time to learn driving fast safely.
From the age of 15, ex-New Zealand Rally Champion Geof Argyle has mentored me, he continues to advise me and was even in my ear at my last rally that I placed 3rd in, even though he was competing himself.
For readers who have not experienced rally driving first hand what is it that you love about the sport?
It's the thrill and buzz I get when racing though forests and next to big drops. I enjoy racing on circuits as well, but there isn't a better feeling than giving it 100 per cent down a gravel road with no safety barriers.
You need to have full trust in your ability, car, pace notes and mostly your co-driver.
When they all click together the speed you go and the feeling you get is unbelievable.
You come from a really close family, working and driving together under Cox Motorsport. Has this changed your family dynamic at all?
Rallying as a family with Cox Motorsport has made the family closer. My sister Tarryn and I have a relationship based on respect and trust.
Some people can't understand how we can get along so well but it is all because we are a team who want to be the best .
At events we try to have fun, have a good time while taking it seriously at the same time.
Have your goals remained the same- Do you still want to race in the Asia Pacific rally? Or have you greater aspirations?
No. My goal is to go overseas and compete in a championship, I have been looking at America because extreme sports is big over there and I love doing extreme things.
What do you want to have achieved as a rally driver in 10 years' time?
To be well known in New Zealand and someone young people can aspire to. To be competing and competed overseas. I want to do some crazy extreme stunts in my race car that people haven't seen in New Zealand and aim to become a YouTube hit. Watch this space ...
What are your career highlights to date?
The 2008 Elite Motorsport Academy graduate, 2010 New Zealand Rally Championship Junior Rally Champion, 2011/12 New Zealand Hillclimb Champion and 2013 3rd overall Possum Bourne Memorial Rally, placing 3rd in the New Zealand Rally Championship and 1st in the Xtreme Rally Championship for this event.
How does it feel to have finished on the podium the Possum Bourne Memorial Rally last weekend?
It feels amazing to get my first overall podium. However I am still desperate to get my first rally win which is hopefully really soon.
Tell us three things about yourself that people wouldn't know.
I'm a Type 1 Diabetic - insulin dependent since I was 11.
Pink is my favourite colour, I like making a statement.
I was a 2009 Rotorua Young Achiever at John Paul College.
