Reece Cohen is a well known name in the Karting Australia circuit. Reece has won many big titles, Australian Kart Championship rounds and many open meetings. One thing that has alluded him in his karting career is a state championship in the KZ2 ranks.
Cohen dominated the opening round of the Premier State Cup earlier in the season and was looking to take out the title over the weekend. Cohen was up against former world champion Cody Gillis and KZ2 New South Wales front runner Cody Maynes-Rutty just to name a few, so had his work cut out for him.
After raining for the two full days prior, Cohen went into Saturday morning qualifying confident of a strong start to the weekend. The wet conditions suited Cohen, with a good set up and understanding. The Topgun Driver Acamedy backed entry set a blister pace, putting himself to the top of the time in the early stages. Reece in his CRG Australia chassis was able to take out a strong pole position over Gillis by nearly eight tenths of a second.
Heat one and Gillis was able to get the jump off the start with Cohen slotting into second spot. The Modena KK2 powered driver used his great wet driving skills to make a move for the lead on lap three and never look back, taking victory by over three seconds.
Reece got his launch right in the second heat, being able to hold onto the lead off the start from Maynes-Rutty and Gillis. The DMC Security backed entry drove a faultless second heat. Leading every lap and taking back-to-back victories.
Cohen looked to the final to take a clean sweep but Gillis got the jump off the start, putting him back to second spot. In one of the finals of the day, the Modena Engines backed driver stalked the former world champion Gillis looking for a race winning move. Reece had a dive on the last corner but couldn’t pull it off, coming away with second overall and maximum points for the round.
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Cohen had a tough decision to make Sunday morning on whether to put on wet or dry tyres for the opening heat. The CRG Australia backed driver looked to save his wet tyres and opted for slick tyres. Due to this, Reece had to settle back of the lead and dropped down to fourth position by race end. Due to a couple of post-race penalties the Topgun Driver Academy backed driver was converted back to second position overall, in a stroke of luck.
Heat two was back on a wet track and Cohen settled into third spot at the end of the opening lap. The DMC Security backed entry made a move for second spot on Maynes-Rutty on lap three moving to second. Reece made another strong overtake on Gillis on lap four and drove away to take another race victory.
Heat three and Cohen was able to get a strong start and lead the opening few laps. Gillis had turned the pace advantage back his way in heat three, making a move for the lead on lap three. The Modena Engines backed and powered driver did everything he could to go with Gillis but had to settle for second spot overall by race end. Due to a post-race infringement, Cohen was classified in position four.
The final race was under fully dry conditions and Reece was looking to bring home the KZ2 state championship. The CRG Australia backed entry settled into second behind race leader Gillis. Cohen had pressure from behind from Maynes-Rutty in a fast battle for second spot. Reece dropped back to third spot but did all he needed to do to come home on the podium and become the KZ2 New South Wales state champion!
Reece’s father Darren spoke post weekend of his son’s accomplishment. “The conditions certainly suited Reece’s style and he made the most of it whilst wet. Once dry on Sunday afternoon we didn’t quite have the pace to go with the leaders. It was a championship drive to bring it home and take out the series”.
Borders permitting Cohen will now finishing the season at the final round of the Australian Kart Championship next weekend in South Australia.
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