Carl Cox Motorsport prepares for Extreme H in 2025

Carl Cox of Carl Cox Motorsport - Extreme E

9th February 2024, London: Carl Cox Motorsport will be absent from the Extreme E grid for the 2024 season, with their preparations underway for the launch of Extreme H – the world’s first hydrogen off-road racing series – in 2025.

The team, owned by legendary DJ Carl Cox, scored a podium at last season’s Hydro X Prix in their debut year, with drivers Timo Scheider, Lia Block and Christine GZ behind the wheel during the 2023 campaign.

Block will represent Williams Racing for the 2024 F1 Academy season, racing with ART Grand Prix, and everyone at the championship wishes her well in her future motorsport endeavours.

As announced earlier this week, Scheider will take on a new challenge as driver and Team Principal of the newly-formed SUN Minimeal Team, ensuring the German continues to be a part of the championship he has been involved with since its inception.

Carl Cox Motorsport will return in 2025 for the championship’s new era, which transitions to Extreme H and hydrogen power – a world-first in motorsport.

Carl Cox, Team Owner, Carl Cox Motorsport: “I like to think that I have a pioneering spirit. From music to motors, I’ve always pushed myself to open doors and then go through them. Being invited to bring Carl Cox Motorsport into the highly-anticipated Extreme H series that launches in 2025 feels like a leap into the future. We’ll be working closely with the Extreme E family over the next 12 months as we prepare to launch our championship campaign in the ground-breaking new car. We are most definitely in it to win it.”

Alon Shulman, Team Principal, Carl Cox Motorsport: “You have to immerse yourself in something to fully understand it and that is what we did across an amazing year with the Extreme E family. We’re delighted that our Extreme E drivers have excelled, with Timo launching his own team and Lia moving into the world of F1 Academy. With the first officially sanctioned FIA hydrogen race series kicking off in 2025, our preparations for Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme H are firmly underway”.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E: “It has been great to welcome Carl and his team into Extreme E – his enthusiasm for motorsport is infectious and he has really enjoyed being a part of the championship as much as we have enjoyed him being with us. Carl will be following Extreme E closely this season as Carl Cox Motorsport concentrates on 2025, working closely with us for the momentous launch of Extreme H and the exciting new future for our series.”

One cool Cuda: Carl Cox's Pro Mod dragcar

Carl Cox made a welcome return to the UK's Santa Pod dragstrip a few weeks ago to shakedown his new Pro Mod drag car. Pro Mods are purpose built cars, with replica street car bodies, and the fastest class of drag cars with working doors.

"I've been having some fun at Santa Pod, although first time out on the track with this car I did hurt the engine and possibly the gearbox as well. So we changed the gearbox for the spare that we had, and the converter, and the stator. It seems to run much better through the gears but we also changed the dynamic of the car and how it drives now is much better.

We initially struggled with the car with how I was trying to get down that quarter mile, but we run in some eighth mile passes and we got some data, but we know that it can run faster.

My Pro Mod is a good looking car. It has a certain 'character' at the moment which we're trying to iron out through the MoTeC management system. We've made some changes to the rear steer, and the ballast at the front. It's been a bit of work, and fairly time consuming, but it's all about getting used to the car and for me to get more seat time in.

There's no way you can just get a brand new car and run the numbers. Sometimes it works, but most of the time it doesn't. So we're ironing out these things, spending the time to get it right.

We've got a lot of data on the car now. And I'm really happy getting in and out the car, and feeling comfortable with it. The last car I had we ran some good numbers with it, but I wasn't as comfortable in that as I am with the Cuda. This is the one for me.

I'm really looking forward to getting back the drag strip soon with the crew and hitting the quarter mile as fast as I possibly can.

This car is basically built for a 5.85 index race car in the Pro Mod series. 250mph plus on the eight mile is what I want. That's where I live, that's where I want to be. That's what we're gong to work towards. I'm really happy about where we are with this car, and what's to follow in the future."

Damon Rees (1995 – 2023)

Long time friend of Carl Cox Motorsport, Damon Rees, tragically passed away recently after a short battle with illness.

The young New Zealand racer and his recently wed wife Talia had a positive impact on everyone who met him, a testament to that as illustrated by the heartwarming tribute shown at the Snetterton round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend.

‘Damo’ first came to Carl’s attention on one of his many visits to New Zealand as a stand out talent in the series as he raced with his brother Mitch and father Tony. He was New Zealand Supersport Champion in 2017 before moving on to finish runner-up in NZSBK the following season, whilst also competing in the Australian domestic series.

Damon had ambitions to race in Europe and make a name for himself in the world’s most competitive Superbike Championship, BSB, so in March 2020 with Carl’s support he and Talia made the move to the UK, just as lockdown hit! He went on to make an impressive debut in the Pirelli National Superstock Championship where celebrated two podium finishes in his opening race weekend at Donington Park.

Most recently, Rees competed in the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship with Binch Racing, where he came close to a podium with a fourth place at Cadwell Park last year and was building momentum with top ten finishes this season

Talia Rees made this statement:

"Damo was an incredible sportsman with a natural, undeniable talent for motorcycle racing. But, he was an even better human being. Your kind words and personal memories shared over the past few days have confirmed that.

Damo was the kindest person you could ever meet. He always had time for anyone and often found himself rushing around to get ready for a race as he just spent too long talking to someone who he gave his absolute full attention to.

Damo pursued his dreams without hesitation during his entire 28 years, and especially since we moved to the UK - we can all learn a lot from him. Live hard, love hard & dream hard 🤍 Just like Damo did. We are devastated, we wanted more time with him, he deserved more time. They say only the good die young, and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to Damo. His heart was just too big for this world. Ride in Peace baby, every day I live from now, is to honour you"

Carl invited Talia and Damon out to the Isle of Man TT and was happy to have spent some time with the happy duo before tragedy struck just a few weeks later. We keep Talia, the Rees family and his many friends and fans in our thoughts.

One for the record books - Carl Cox on the 2023 Isle of Man TT

What can I say, this year’s TT was probably the best one I’ve ever been to. Super fast epic battles in every race, and us fans were properly treated to some amazing weather.

We went over as usual as a group of mates and tried to do it all, from Glencrutchery Road on the grid to right up in the hedges, plus we got to ride some laps of our own, and make time for a pint at the legendary Creg-ny-Baa!

Our favourite place though has to be the Black Dub. It’s quite close to our house and the guys who run it have made it a real mecca for TT fans with big screens, tunes, commentary and all-day food and drink. Oh, and it’s situated on the fearsome Black Dub corner where the riders come through at crazy speeds.

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And what about the racing itself! Everything clicked into place for our man Michael Dunlop and even in the early practices you could see he was a man on mission posting light-speed times and looking like he was in full-attack mode into every corner. We’ve been with his MD Racing set-up for a few years now and I can’t say how happy (and a bit nervous) I was to see him flying the way he did.

In Qualifying he posted a 135.531mph average speed lap – the fastest ever circulation of the TT, just amazing. And that’s how he attacked the opening Supersport race and Superbike races, taking wins number 22 and 23. When he won the Supertwin race he overtook the great John McGuinness to become the second most successful TT rider ever, just two wins short of the TT GOAT, his uncle Joey.

We started to dare to believe… but a DNF whilst leading the next Supertwin and some amazing performances from his great rival Peter Hickman slowed the win rate. He did go on to win the next Supersport race and shatter the 130mph lap record. How he did that on a little 600cc I have no idea!

“130mph average speed on a little 600cc?

I have no idea how Michael did that!”

Our friends at Padgett’s didn’t have such a great time as both crowd favourite Davey Todd and local ace Conor Cummins had bouts of illness, but they gave good showings in the last races. And they’ll be back fighting for podiums next year I’m sure of it.

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I’ve always loved the sidecars and it being the 100th anniversary of that class at the TT, we were supporting three crews. World Champ Tim Reeves with his passenger Mark Wilkes and local Manxman Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle had some technical gremlins meaning some frustrations for these lads. It was great to see John Holden/Maxime Vasseur get a podium with John having his final TT! The main thing though is that everyone came home safe.

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As ever the atmosphere down in the holding area and startline is something to behold, you can cut the atmosphere with a knife. We went down a few times and got to spend some time with Michael and the other racers, but you really can’t beat getting out on the course.

And that’s exactyl what Carl Cox Motorsport plans to do next year when Michael looks to become the most winningest IOM TT rider ever!

Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E: Introducing Timo & Christine - our Dream Team!

Drivers Timo Scheider and Christine GZ have signed to Carl Cox Motorsport for the 2023 Extreme E series. Christine had an excellent 2022 in Extreme E and Timo’s career so far includes World Rally Cross, Extreme E, and 24 Hour Le Mans podiums and back to back DTM titles.

Oh yes, oh yes!

Michael Clemente Motorsport and Carl Cox Motorsport announce long-term partnership, and a new name

Michael Clemente Motorsport and Carl Cox, partners for the duration of the 2022 TCR Australia season, announce a more substantial partnership with the team being renamed and officially known as Carl Cox Motorsport (Australia) while Carl has personally invested in both Mike and the team to provide solid foundations for the future.

The partnership with the British and Australian-based house and techno music record producer, and one of the world’s most in-demand DJ’s, continues to demonstrate his commitment to all forms of motorsport, given the recently announced Extreme E team under his name, as well as numerous other partnerships around the world.

Carl, commenting on the partnership, said: “I first met Michael, his family and team in 2022. Seeing Michael's TCR race car for the first time was amazing, what a weapon that car is!

“It’s no secret I have a passion for cars and motorsports, so my decision to support Michael was an easy one, and seeing how excited Michael, his family and team were to have a Carl Cox Motorsport sticker on the car, cemented it. That’s why I want to help their race campaign even more, so here we are with a full sponsorship campaign. 

“The Carl Cox Motorsport TCR Michael Clemente Racing Team will be going hard at it this year… Oh Yes, Oh Yes!” he continued.

Carl Cox Motorsport has been involved with some of the top motorsport events in the world, including the Isle of Man TT race, the Macau Grand Prix, World Super Bikes, British Super Bikes, Leadfoot festival hill climb, the Goodwood Festival of speed and more.   However, he is not afraid to get behind the wheel either, and is a competitive drag racer having achieved a personal best (so far) of 5.9 seconds for a quarter mile reaching 252mph in 2021 in Eleanor, his custom built drag car. Other who benefit from his wisdom and support include Super Stock champion Davey Todd, and twenty one time Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop, who has been supported by Carl since 2017.

Carl Cox began his DJ career at the age of 15 in London, and has grown to be one of the world’s top DJ’s, having played an annual residency at Space Club in Ibiza for 15 years, and last year released his chart-topping new album, ‘Electronic Generations’.

Mike Clemente (#15) also commented on the latest addition to his 2022 partner line-up.  “I have to be honest, and say I am super excited to be racing under the prestigious Carl Cox Motorsport banner for this year. It's incredible to have this kind of support from Carl, and I can't wait to maximise this opportunity and show what we can do as a team. 2023 is different in many ways this year, all for the better and it's all gelling together quite nicely which hopefully sees us spraying some champagne this year. 

“Carl’s a growing force in motorsport globally, and it’s so good to be able to demonstrate to our existing long term partners that Carl, with his Facebook following of 3 million people, cares enough about the sport of TCR Australia and a young kid from Point Cook, Victoria, to invest in me and help me through to the top.   Well, that’s the aim anyway!”

In honour of the partnership and to celebrate the launch, the Audi RS3 that Mike will be running in Tasmania will be sporting a unique Carl Cox Motorsport livery.  The first round commences at Symmons Plains Raceway, Tasmania on the 24-26 February.

Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E team announced

Carl Cox has added to his considerable motorsport stable with an all new venture- the Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E team! After visiting this unique series, Carl has signed up to join the grid of the ‘sport for purpose’ championship for the 2023 season.

The current Extreme E line-up includes teams run by legendary motorsport names including McLaren, Lewis Hamilton (X44 Vida Carbon Racing), Nico Rosberg (Rosberg X Racing) Jenson Button (JBXE), and Carlos Sainz Snr. (ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team).

The eponymous team marks Carl’s first venture into electric racing, however as we know hes been backing riders, drivers and teams on 2,3 and 4 wheels since 2013!

“I’m here to make a difference. To have the opportunity to be part of something so dynamic on four wheels is a dream come true. Racing, like music, is in my blood and I’m going to bring my passion and energy into this series and build something special.”

Cox, Founder and Team Principal of Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E, commented: “Participating in electric racing is new to me but I’m a fast learner and will bring my hard earned know how and experience into the mix at Extreme E. Carl Cox Motorsport is here to take on all comers and we are going to jump straight in. We are in it to win it!”

As well as a love for anything fast, Carl has a huge interest in innovation in motorsport, which ultimately saw his attention drawn to Extreme E. While Extreme E marks something completely new for his career in motorsport, Carl is not unfamiliar with the XE paddock. The long-time motorsport enthusiast joined the championship for its first ever double-header event in Sardinia last season, and had a lap around the course. That evening he played an impromptu DJ set and became part of the Extreme E family. Within weeks he was planning his own team.

The venture will enable Carl Cox Motorsport to embark on a whole new chapter as it navigates the sport for purpose side of racing and gets to live and breathe the possibilities of sustainable mobility and diversity.

Passionate about all forms of racing, Carl has been involved in everything from motorbikes and sidecars to supercars. He is a competitive drag racer and achieved a personal best (so far) of 5.9 seconds for a quarter mile reaching 252mph in 2021 in Eleanor, his custom-built drag car. He is a fixture at the Isle of Man TT where he supports his Carl Cox Motorsport riders as they battle it out on the infamous course. Amongst the talent in Carl’s programme is Super Stock champion Davey Todd, Michael Clemente who drives in the Australian TCR Championship and twenty-one-time Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop, who has been supported by Carl since 2017.

A passion for developing talent saw Carl establish the Carl Cox Motorsport Cup for grassroots riders in New Zealand which is now in its 12th year, where his sidecar team is based. As a team owner in Extreme E Carl can further his mission in a series that offers the perfect platform for the development of young and emerging talent.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: “We are all excited to welcome Carl and his Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E team to the championship. We all know Carl for the superstar he is, but beyond his talents in music it is clear his passion for motorsport runs deep. We can’t wait to work with him and his team as we help them on their journey into sustainable racing. A true icon in music and entertainment Carl will be an important beacon for our series, bringing a whole new energy to the championship and our mission to raise awareness around the world about important climate and societal issues, and their solutions. The grid continues to offer up excitement for our fans, and the countdown to Season 3 is officially on!”

Extreme E aims to minimise environmental impact but maximise awareness, racing in places that have already been damaged or affected by climate change. The all-electric series takes fans deep into the heart of the most pressing environmental issues facing the planet. At the same time, the series has built-in equality and diversity, with each team fielding one male and one female driver, making it the world’s most diverse racing series.

Alon Shulman, CEO of World Famous Group, an experienced brand strategist, rainmaker and Carl Cox’s manager, will take on the role of Team Director at Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E. Alon comments: “On the racing side Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E will be competitive from day one and we have various strategic plans that will elevate the team and what we can bring to the series. We will also be actively supporting the host territories Extreme E environmental projects. My role is to make sure that our team is a 365 operation, not just focused on the race weekends, and to maximise the opportunity that we’ve been presented with. Underpinning everything of course is team boss Carl Cox. He is an exceptional human being who will be fully hands on with sleeves rolled up ensuring that we deliver over and above at all times, on and off the track.”

Carl’s team will make its exciting debut when Season 3 of Extreme E gets underway in Saudi Arabia in just two months’ time on March 11-12, before moving on to the UK in May for race two. Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E will reveal more details about its team’s drivers and set up in the coming weeks.

Season 3 Calendar - 2023
• Saudi Arabia 11-12 March
• Scotland, UK 13-14 May
• Sardinia, Italy 08-09 July
• Amazon or USA 16-17 September
• Chile 02-03 December

Learn more about this exciting race series at www.extreme-e.com

Electronics for the New Generation!

We shocked the British Superbike paddock this weekend at the final round at Brands Hatch with a fully liveried Carl Cox Motorsport machine for young racing superstar Max Cook. The trick looking Yamaha YZF-R6 featured a QR code for Carl Cox’s new album ‘Electronic Generations’ which he was performing at Wembley over the weekend.

Max had won the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Champion the previous event and moved up to British Supersport for the weekend at Brands Hatch with support from Carl Cox Motorsport and UGGLY & CO.

Long time Binch Racing sponsor, apparel brand UGGLY & CO, brokered the deal with Carl who supports many motorsport teams and riders around the world.

Carl commented "I would have loved to have been at my local circuit Brands Hatch this weekend but this is the next best thing, helping young Max show his talents on the next stage of his journey. We'll be watching and cheering the TV from our Shows!"

Read all about it!

Carl Cox gets a massive amount of press coverage in the music press. But he’s particularly chuffed whenever he gets a request about his work with Carl Cox Motorsport and supporting racers in all disciplines.

Which is why a recent interview with renowned MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley resulted in such a cracking six page article which was first published in the UK’s biggest motorcycle title ‘BIKE’ and then Australian MCN, the most established mag ‘down under’

If you get a chance to catch either magazine, be sure to give them a read!

Back to the Island… again!

Despite ‘closing’ his residency at DC10 in Ibiza at 7am, Carl was adamant he wanted to get over to the Isle of Man (his third visit in a couple of months!) to see the unique Manx Grand Prix and his ‘main man’ Michael Dunlop. In true Coxy form, a few short hours later he sent his friends who were still awakening a picture from trackside!

It wasn’t a kind event for Michael, who after logging a phenomenal 125mph lap on his Team Classic Suzuki 1100cc XR69 machine, was hit by a series of mechanicals on his trio of machines (he was also riding a 250cc two-stroke Honda and a Suzuki GSXR SRAD machine). It was however another fantastic event and Carl had a great trip to Mona’s Isle.

Carl Cox and the 2022 Isle of Man TT

Carl returned to his beloved Isle of Man this year, arranging his busy gig schedule around practice and Race week, for two action packed four day visits!

Spending time in different parts of the course including Black Dub, Carl got to see some of his supported riders in action and then managed to get back to the paddock in time to see Michael Dunlop take his 21st TT win.

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A post shared by Carl Cox Motorsport (@carlcoxmotorsport)

With the Padgett’s team of Conor Cummins and Davey Todd also having their own fastest ever laps there, it was a successful trip for the Carl Cox Motorsport sponsored riders.

Of course there was also several tragic incidents and we need to remember the risks these Roads heroes undertake every time they set off from the start line.

Carl Cox celebrates his 60th with Michael Dunlop at the Isle of Man TT!

Carl Cox is flying back from Australia for his 60th birthday to watch his Carl Cox Motorsport riders battle the infamous Isle of Man TT course, including his ‘main man’, road racing royalty Michael Dunlop.

The long-time motorsport enthusiast has, like all road-racing riders and fans, been pining for a return to the ‘Island’ after a two-year COVID-enforced break. In particular, Carl is looking forward to seeing Michael Dunlop campaigning his MD Racing machines, in their striking Carl Cox Motorsport livery.

Carl, who is celebrating his 60th birthday this summer, hasn’t slowed up after his weekly lock-down set ‘Cabin Fever’ was awarded a DJ Mag ‘Best of British’ award, with the recent announcement of a new Ibiza residency at DC-10. His own motorsport exploits haven’t slowed up either, as he blasts his fire-breathing Pro Mod Mustang down the drag strip, breaking the timing beam at an incredible 5.9 seconds for a standing quarter mile with a terminal velocity of 251mph.

Nineteen-time TT winner Dunlop has been supported by the renowned DJ since the start of the 2017 season, which helps him run his own crew and immaculately prepared Yamaha YZF-R6 Supersport and Honda Fireblade Superstock machines. He will also run a Suzuki GSX-R1000RR Superbike with Hawk Racing and a Kawasaki-powered Paton in the Supertwin class, to make it four different manufacturers!

Carl and Michael often enjoy a drink together after a successful event and the often-misunderstood Northern Irishman travelled out to Ibiza to join Carl on stage in front of a massive crowd.

Carl loves the Island so much he’s bought a Manx property and also supports the long-established Padgett’s Racing squad with TT 2022 riders; Manxman Conor Cummins and talented young prospect Davey Todd, plus the Sidecar team of Dave Molyneux (17-time winner) and Daryl Gibson on their KTM-powered outfit.

Other beneficiaries of the Carl Cox Motorsport programme include fast Kiwi Damon Rees who races in the Supersport division of the British Superbike series, Tom Bramich in Australian Superbikes and Michael Clemente in the TCR Australian Touring car series. Over in New Zealand, the Carl Cox Motorsport Cup develops young riders and Carl also supports a pair of NZ sidecar teams (Tracey Bryan-Jo Mickleson and Barry Smith-Stu Dawe).

Carl Cox commented, “I could not be more excited for TT2022, I can’t believe it’s not run since 2019, so the level of expectation is massive! I love supporting Michael and it was so good to see him immediately on the pace at the North West 200 road race recently, whilst young Davey Todd has also been on mega form. We have a busy residency and touring schedule but there was no way I was going to miss this. I’ve been to F1 and MotoGP around the world but honestly there’s nothing like sitting in someone’s front garden with a beer, watching the lads come through at 190mph, every single one of them is a hero in my eyes!”

The 2022 edition of the Isle of Man TT starts on 29th May with the main race week running 4-10th June.

Follow the Carl Cox Motorsport programme at .carlcoxmotorsport.com and facebook.com/carlcoxmotorsport

Michael Dunlop to race at the 2022 North West 200 and Isle of Man TT with PBM Ducati

Following on the agreement made in 2020 only for plans to be scuppered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul Bird Motorsport has confirmed that 19-times TT winner and Carl Cox Motorsport-sponsored Michael Dunlop will race one of the PBM team’s formidable Ducati Panigale V4 RRs at the 2022 International North West 200 and 2022 Isle of Man TT Races.

The 32-year-old from Ballymoney in County Antrim will see the deal with the eight-times British Superbike champions and multiple NW200 and TT winners eventually come to fruition to race a factory-supported PBM Ducati in both the Superbike and Senior races at this year’s festival.

The last time the TT races ran in 2019, Dunlop won the Lightweight TT to add to his tally as the third most successful rider around the 37.73-mile course. He will race his own machines in the Supersport and Superstock events, but PBM will field the Ulsterman in the two main races as they look to add to their illustrious TT history.

The last time the Penrith-based team contested the Isle of Man TT Races was in 2015 when Ian Hutchinson scored a second in the Superbike TT and a third in the Senior TT as well as winning the Superstock TT race, all aboard PBM Kawasakis, to celebrate the team’s first major foray onto the Isle of Man for 12 years.

That success came after PBM previously contested the event with Ducati in 2003 when John McGuinness took second in the TT Formula 1 race and third in the Senior TT riding the MonsterMob-sponsored bikes.

Prior to that, Joey Dunlop (Michael’s uncle) famously won his last big bike TT for Paul Bird when he took victory in the 2000 TT Formula 1 race onboard a Demon Vimto Honda SP1, just a month before he was tragically killed in a race in Estonia.

PBM and Michael have worked together before when they prepared a Kawasaki ZX-10R for him to win the 2011 Superstock TT. Ducati's current quickest lap at the TT is 128.717mph by Michael Rutter in 2011.

Michael will also race the PBM-prepared Ducati at the 2022 International North West 200 in Northern Ireland during the week commencing Monday 8th May.

John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator said: “We are delighted to be able to fulfil our promise and commitment to Michael albeit two years later than we had hoped. We are thrilled to be contesting the major road races with Michael onboard the PBM Ducati and are hopeful of adding to both his and our considerable list of successes.”

Carl Cox Motorsport Cup Fires up for ’22!

After a COVID enforced long break the sixth season of the Carl Cox Motorsport Cup was finally launched at the Grind On Cafe on a stunning day in Auckland, NZ. It was followed by the season kick-off at Hampton Downs a week later.

But back to the launch…  a record 48 riders registered for the Cup making it by far the largest class of racing in New Zealand. The series is run by enthusiast Ken Dobson and has had support from Carl for over a decade. It was devised to promote road racing to all, at an entry level and fostering talented riders who have gone on to win National Championships and compete in Europe.

The series features:

11 x Kawasaki Ninja 400's

37 x Hyosung 250's

8 x women competitors (a record for New Zealand race class's)

21 x new Cup competitors

Our first brother and sister competitors

2 x Champions returning to defend titles

The first round of the season brought some epic racing and the sight of a 43 man (and woman!) running race to the grid for the Le Mans start.

You can keep track of the Cup and its work at www.ccmscup.co.nz

Capturing the moment

Sydney based photographer Skene Motorsport really managed to capture the moment as Carl got ready to launch at this year’s Sydney Jamboree utilising his Canon 1Dx equipment. Drag Racing needs intense concentration and reaction time for the ‘lights’ is as important as the BHP of the car.

This is what Gavin Skene, Australian Speedway Photographer of the Year award winner, had to say about his picture above, “Carl Cox. For a bloke that has made his living being the ‘Hype Man’ and getting everyone else to move around, I was able to find Carl in a moment of being calm, vision-driven and focused on what was something of great strength from not just himself, but a crew that all their combined work would be over in under 10 seconds.

So much goes into what is done on track with Drag Racing that only the fans see the ‘2 dollar part’ in what has significant costs in getting there. Just the sacrifice, time and dedication on how hard it is to make that 10, 8, 7 or 5 second pass. To the punter it is just another car going past, really fast.

What I love about what I do is finding that moment that no one else is in. I could have done a backflip on roller skates and still not grabbed Carl's attention with the amount of mental focus that is contained at that moment he is in. In movies they say, to be continued; in photography I guess it is, never to be repeated.”

You can see more of Gavin's work via his Instagram channel @theartofspeedway.

Oh yes, oh yes! We have a motorsport memories winner!

After much debate the winner of our Signed Carl Cox special edition book is Lisa Flaherty. Carl was touched by so many CCM race fans sharing their many memories of grassroots racing.

Carl Cox chooses the winner

A big thank you to everyone for taking part and congratulations once again to Lisa who won a White Rabbit Collector’s Independent Record Store Edition of Carl's Oh yes, oh yes! book, signed by the man himself!

http://hyperurl.co/CarlCoxBook

Carl Cox and MV Agusta

Carl Cox was recently named as an Ambassador for MV Agusta, something he’s very excited about! In the midst of a crazy schedule of UK gigs, book launches and visiting some of his favourite events such as the Goodwood Revival, Carl was invited up to the new MV Agusta London store for the announcement.

Over to Carl: “What an amazing dealership, I was like a kid in sweet shop!

I’ve always loved MV Agusta’s and have been lucky enough to own a F4 1000 Tamburini, F4 Claudio 1000, 2004 Brutale 910R 2006 and F3 Serie Oro 675. They are also sending me a MV Turismo Veloce, which is nice!

When I received the F4 Claudio 1000 I think I just stared at it for about an hour as it’s just a thing of beauty. When you put your hands across it, you feel the shape of the bike. It’s got amazing lines and the styling is incredible.

There’s just something about MV Agusta for me. The racing heritage, the attention to details – the more you see the more you love. They are uncompromising Motorcycle Art and I think you have to be a true fan to really get it.”

See more about MV Agusta at www.mvagusta.com.

CCM ARCHIVES: Man tracks - Phillip Island by Michael Neeves

Muscling this beast of a GSX-R1100 around some of the fastest, most fierce corners in the world, against a bunch of hard-as-nails Aussies I’ve never seen before, let alone rubbed fairings with, has been an education.

For the past four days of free practice, qualifying and racing here at the International Island Classic at Philip Island I’ve ignored everything except trying to go as fast as I can, but now I’ve crossed the chequered flag for the final time I can finally relax, take it all in and embark on what could possibly be the slowest cool-down lap of all time, to savour the moment at this magnificent circuit.

It’s a dream come true to race at a track I’ve seen on TV the past 25 years, so rolling slowly down the short straight between the Southern Loop and Stoner Corner on perfect tarmac, trimmed with bright blue and white kerbs, I can at last get a good look at the sea to my right and the perfectly manicured grass to the left. A sea breeze takes the edge off the 36°c mid-summer January heat and the sweat of my last race.

The track feels strangely familiar. I’ve been here on two GSX-R launches in the past and recognise every grain of tarmac from the telly, but it feels a lot like two of my other favourite tracks: Donington and Jerez  - wide, swoopy and inviting.

Adored by riders and fans alike, Philip Island is one of the world’s evocative circuits and littered with super-quick corners, named after double hard Aussie racers. There’s no feeling in the world like swooping through Doohan and Stoner Corners flat in fourth, or along the Gardner Straight, stretching the Gixer’s throttle cable to the stop. Then there’s the big dipper plunge from Lukey Heights to MG and the tyre-shredding Turn 12, one of the fastest kneedown lefts on the planet.

Philip Island has played host to some of the most iconic races of the modern era. Wayne Gardner won the first ever 500GP race here in ’89 and again a year later beating fellow Mick Doohan to the line by 0.8 second in a nail-biting race with Gardner’s Honda NSR500 faring hanging off after a couple of near crash highsides during the race.

Then there’s the time Anthony Gobert’s scored a David and Goliath-style wet WSB victory in 2000 on his Bimota SB8R. And what about Rossi’s 2003 win – overcoming a 10 second penalty for overtaking on a yellow flag?

This fast, flowing, anticlockwise ribbon of tarmac has always made for close racing. It rewards corner speed and skill over brute power. Brit Jeremy McWilliams lined-up in pole on his sweet-handling Kenny Roberts KR3 500cc two-stroke here in 2002 ahead of the Rossi and the new four-stroke MotoGP brigade. Superbikes, supersport, MotoGP and Moto2 all run similar lap times. But like all racetracks, they can bite. Carl Fogarty’s career came to a premature, arm-crushing end after colliding with Ducati privateer Robert Ulm at Turn 8 (Hayshed).

The International Island Classic isn’t just about the track, the warm weather, or the superstar riders in the International Challenge, it’s all about the bikes.

Classic racing is gaining in popularity and is bigger than ever. It gives us the chance to see the bikes we’ve grown up, with in race trim, being ridden to the limit and beyond. Here at Philip Island there’s everything from vintage machines to modern classics. Take a look around the pits and you’ll see everything from Manx Nortons, old Harleys, RGV250s, Suzuki XR69s, KZ1000Rs, CB1100Rs, ZX-7Rs, RC30s, TZ250s, FZR1000s, VF750s, FJ1200s and GPZ900s.

It’s a dream version of a UK club racing paddock with smiley, friendly faces, cool bikes and Australian heat. All year I’m trying to keep warm in my awning, but here you’re battling to stay cool and find the shade in the awning. The sun is fierce here, thanks to the depleted ozone down these parts. Must be all the hairspray I used I the 80s.

My classic ride for the weekend is a Suzuki GSX-R1100. It’s actually a GSX-R750J Slingshot (which is the first bike I ever raced back in ’88 at Brands Hatch…I broke my ankle in practice) chassis with an 1100 engine, run by Carl Cox Motorsport. We’re in the snappily titled ‘Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300 & Invitational P6 Open’ race – a support class to the International Challenge where the superstars hang out.

Carl Cox also sponsors the P&H Motorcycles 899 Panigales in the Ducati TriOptions cup in BSB and a sidecar team in New Zealand, who the bike-mad superstar DJ is also bringing to the TT this summer.

Our class gets four free practice sessions on the Thursday, two goes at qualifying on Friday and four races over the weekend. It’s a tightly-packed, but well organised program and races start one after the other in quick succession. There’s no warm-up lap and the only time to get heat into the tyres is the journey from the pitlane to lining up on the grid. But as a club racer from the UK, I’m better-prepared at going hard on cold tyres than my Aussie cousins.

As results go, it’s a dream weekend, racing against everything form a modded FJ1200, GPZ900, 851, 888, YB8 and other Gixers ridden by fellow club racers, as well as classic and Aussie supersport champions. We qualify fourth (on my birthday) and pick-up three thirds and a second in the races, earning us third overall for the weekend and a nice trophy.

The big Suzuki went far better than I’d ever hoped. Yes, it’s heavy, turns slowly, doesn’t stop that well and with its open carbs just gurgles rather than moves forward coming out of the slow Honda and MG hairpins. The rev counter never worked all weekend, either, so I wasn’t sure what rpm to dial in off the starts. I only figured out it had five gears, not six, after watching some on-board footage on the Saturday night…

But the 140bhp (we think) motor is packed with grunt and top end speed. Most importantly the Suzuki loves fast corners and is stable along the main straight. Honda hairpin is the only time you need to brake hard, but lots of back brake and engine braking helps to get you stopped, anyway.

After racing a BMW for the past five seasons and being used to an on-board lap timer, gear position indicator, a quick-shifter, traction control and lose to 200 perfectly delivered bhp, I thought the Suzuki would be like going back to the dark ages. But I never missed any of that stuff. It shows that a bike’s a bike: two wheels, an engine and somewhere to sit. With the Ohlins fork internals and rear shock fitted and modern uber sticky and stable Pirelli slicks, there’s not the gulf between old an new superbikes as you’d expect.

The only moment I had was the butt-clenching time I almost ran off the kerb on to the grass coming on to the straight, but that’s more pilot error than anything.

But I didn’t have a clue how the big Suzuki would go before I arrived. The last time I rode a 750 Slingshot it was tank-slapping bitch of a thing with no ground clearance, but would its bigger engine make it worse?

Our Thursday practice day was a write-off. The old GSX-R, which was bought as ready-prepped racer, but with no known history, kept blowing fuses and eventually the wiring loom caught fire over Lukey Heights. I never did more than two laps without it breaking down and I got two lifts back to the paddock on the back of trailer and pushed it back in twice. As nice as it is racing in mid-summer Aussie heat, it’s not so good pushing a 190kg motorcycle uphill in leathers….

We also made a mistake with the rear wheel. Our 7/11 has been built with a 5.5” rim, perfect for the super-sticky 180/60 x 17 Pirelli Superbike slicks to slip on. But we started practice on spare GSX-R1100 wheels, which are 4.5” and took a 160-section back in the day. It was only after seeing the size of my chicken strips at the end of the day and experiencing huge wobbles out of the corners and down the Gardner Straight, did we figure out we’d been trying to squeeze such a wide tyre on to a skinny wheel.

But with the help of my mechanics for the weekend: Mick and Bob and the help of the Dynoverks team and TT Motorcycles, we replaced the minimal wiring loom, fitted the right rear wheel and settled into a perfect race weekend.

By Friday qualifying and with the help of the Carl Cox Motorsport team, Dynoverks, TT Motorcycles and mechanics Bob and Mick the GSX-R1100 was a different beast thanks to a newly built wiring loom and the correct size 5.5” rear wheel to take the super-sticky Pirelli WSB slicks (we’d been running a 4.5” rim).

From that second row qualifying through to the podiums and finally my pinch-myself-I’m-dreaming cool-down lap, the weekend has been one to remember. Even if I wasn’t racing, just being in the paddock see all these amazing old bikes and racing superstars would be incredible. But to get the chance to race it as well was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

CCM ARCHIVES: Riding the Phillip Island Classic - Michael Neeves

Riding the Phillip Island Classic - Michael Neeves

Typical. You don’t have a racing crash for years and two humdingers come along on consecutive days, at the same corner and both caused by Yamaha TZ750s, living up to their reputation as one of the venomous racers ever created.

It was all going so well. I got a pole and carried on with a win and a couple of thirds behind Craig Ditchburn and former Aussie superbike champ Marty Craggill on their TZ750s. After that it all went a bit squiffy.

The first get-off happened on the Saturday when Ditchburn highsided a couple of bikes ahead of me, halfway round the third gear Southern Loop (Turn 2). His Yamaha hit the Aussie tarmac, burst into flames and everyone behind scattered. I took to the grass and down I went, hard enough to set off my airbag. It doesn’t seem a particularly quick corner when you’re riding it, especially compared to the bum-clenchers of Stoner, The Hayshed and the Melandri-tyre-smoking Turn 12, but the world speeds up when you’re out of control.

Fast forward 24 hours and after a race-long battle with Craggill, I’m punted out of the lead on the last lap, this time on the entry to the Southern loop, just after seeing the yellow nose of his Yamaha enter stage left out of the corner of my eye. The collision flicks me up into the blue summer sky and slam-dunks me on the tarmac on to my back, setting off my airbag’s second charge and destroying my lid. It’s such a whack that I can taste the impact and see stars for the rest of the day, but once again my riding kit saves me from serious injury.

But despite the dramas, racing Down Under has been a great way to start 2020. It’s my fifth year at the Island Classic riding for the Carl Cox Motorsport squad, with teammates David Johnson (Katana), Dean Oughtred (EXUP and Honda CR750) and brother Ben (GSX-R1100), who all put in sterling rides over the weekend. Competing at one of the world’s evocative circuits in the sunshine, while everyone else the other side of the world is looking longingly at their bikes, waiting for the spring to arrive is, as the Aussies say, ‘like being kissed on the dick by an angel’.

My weekend is actually a story of two halves, racing in the Unlimited Open, where I have the pace to run at the front and the International Challenge where a top 10 is do-able, if all the planets align, which I managed to do in ‘19. Both run to Aussie ‘Period 5’ rules, so that means grids packed with big, brash early 80s superbikes and gnarly two-strokes, like the TZ750 – bloody things. Some of the top bikes are rumoured to kick out as much as 195bhp…

The International Challenge is a match race between 2019 winners Australia, America and the UK with the winning team decided over four races during the event. For the Aussies and US, it’s a clanger of big names: Alex Phillis, Jed Metcher, Steve Martin, Cameron Donald, Beau Beaton, Aaron Morris, Shawn Giles, Josh Hayes, Larry Pegram, Michael Gilbert…the list goes on.

Team UK no longer has the likes of McWilliams, Hickman and McGuiness in its ranks. Instead it’s a merry band of hardy club racers on more modest machinery. My ex-Jeremy McWilliams Harris Suzuki is a work of art, but it’s always a shock to ride these big old things compared to modern stuff. The throttle is hellishly stiff, twin pot AP calipers are no match for the rapid approach to the walking pace Honda Corner and it shakes its hips like Travolta at high speed, if you don’t sit right forward.

Billet ali forks, an Ohlins rear shock, Ktech fork internals, Dymag wheels and Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks lets the Harris steer, grip and corner like a modern racer. It does around 160mph at the end of the Gardner Straight, around 10mph shy of the quickest bikes, but the 148bhp, 1230cc GSX1100 motor still gets your attention.

The Aussies win the 2020 International Challenge, just ahead of the Americans with the plucky Team UK-ers bringing up the rear. I’ll be back again for 2021…but staying the hell away from those stinking Yamahas.

A birthday message to Carl from Damon Rees

Happy Birthday to the absolute legend that is Carl Cox of Carl Cox Motorsport!

Carl has been a long time supporter of not only my race career, but many many others. He makes our dreams come true, and it is a real testament to his love, passion, selflessness, and dedication to Motorsport.

When I say I truly wouldn’t be where I am without him, I really do mean it (well, it would be a lot harder to get to get here anyway!)

I can never fully put into words just how thankful I am to have Carl in my corner, so I go into every race with the goal to make him really, really proud.

Thank you Carl, and Happy Birthday!