New doesn’t always mean better, but in the case of Geoff Cook’s brand-new Wingless Sprint Cool car that’s exactly what it means in the 2018-19 season, with the machine last Saturday night rewarding its pilot with his maiden feature-race win.
Prior to last Saturday night’s outing, Cook’s previous best result in Wingless Sprints was a runner-up finish to eventual series champion Luke Weel in a 2016-17 season Super Series round at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway, but that was all set to change as he headed to last Saturday night’s club show at Darlington’s Mid-Western Speedway aboard his new car.
Making his presence felt from the outset aboard his Lightning McQueen-inspired Vic # 95 The Tyre Factory – Warrnambool supported Cool car, which was built specifically for him by John Cooley, the owner of Cool Chassis, Cook drove to victory in his opening heat race, before going on to place fourth in his second heat race.
Lining up on the inside of the second row for the feature race, Cook felt comfortable throughout the 20-lap feature race, having been able to tailor his setup due to his enhanced understanding of his new car; a setup which ultimately paid off, with Cook greeting the chequered flag as the winner.
“It’s amazing how much easier it is to feel how the car’s reacting to the track and make changes based off that,” explained the owner of The Tyre Factory – Warrnambool, who visited the podium earlier this season at Geelong’s Avalon Raceway when he managed to place an impressive third amongst some 60 competitors.
“John Cooley and his team have done a brilliant job of building this car and their service and assistance throughout the build has been impeccable. I can’t thank them enough.”
Having come away with a respectable eighth-place finish in the opening Indy Race Parts Super Series round at Moama’s Heartland Raceway in addition to his recent minor podium finish, it was clear that it wouldn’t be long before Cook reached the top step of the podium. He was quick to pay homage to his team upon achieving Saturday night’s feat.
“I have to say a huge thanks to my two main pit crew members Jack McConnell and Shane McKenna,” he praised.
“They have worked tirelessly so far this season to give me the best possible car and it really paid off on the weekend. The win is as much an accomplishment for them as it is for me.”
Racing Speedway Karts for six seasons in the late 1990s throughout Victoria, along with focusing on local footy commitments, Cook later began helping a few of his mates in the Formula 500s class, as well as contesting a few Demo Derbies.
Eventually undergoing his introduction into the Wingless Sprints class in 2009, contesting a handful of race meetings in a car owned by Brad Warren, Cook purchased his own car in the form of cousin David Cook’s Cool car and ran it for three seasons, before buying another Cool car, which he’s been running for the past four seasons.
For the remainder of the 2018-19 season, Cook will focus on the rest of the Indy Race Parts Super Series rounds, along with the Summer Slam Series over the Christmas-New Year period, and the Australian Championship, which will take place on home soil at Premier Speedway from February 22 and 23, where his sole aim is to qualify into Australian Championship-deciding feature race.
Cook’s next appearance will be this Saturday night’s second Indy Race Parts Super Series round at Simpson Speedway.
Cook is proudly supported by his 2018-19 season sponsors: The Tyre Factory – Warrnambool, Malone Race Engines, Gulf Western Oil, Watts Excavations, Macka signs, Nutz Wheels, Cool Chassis, Elite Cars & Trucks, and Slade Shock Technology. Special thanks go to Jack McConnell and Shane McKenna, along with Mick Rigby, Elira DeGrandi and Matt McGregor.
To find out more about Cook and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching V95 Tyre Factory Racing Team.
