ClubSport, grass-roots entry-level motorsport events organised by the Southland Sports Car Club at Teretonga Park, continue to prove beneficial for young competitors, none more so than 14-year-old Blake Cooper of Invercargill.
Cooper, a Year 10 student at James Hargest College, enjoys motorsport and last summer followed his cousin Josh Cooper into ClubSport events.
Josh Cooper has experienced a lot of success both in ClubSport and, more recently, circuit racing and has been the runner-up in the Southland Sports Car Club Championship for the last two years.
Blake Cooper contested motorkhana events initially, being timed runs around tight courses laid out with cones, in a Toyota Starlet, a stock standard road car, before entering some of the club’s slightly more advanced Autocross events towards the end of the season.
So well did he do that, at season’s end, he was named the club’s Junior Driver Of The Year, with the award being given by the club’s ClubSport Co-Ordinator Anthony Ralston, who said at the time, “As a youngster in an old car, Blake gained more and more confidence as the year progressed.”
“It was not what I expected,” Cooper said after receiving the award.
Looking back on the season, he added, “It was amazing, real good. Everyone was so helpful, and it was a bonus having cousin Josh, and Uncle and Aunty Gregg and Cindy Cooper (the club’s three-time Ladies Champion) close at hand for advice as well.
“It was about having fun but it was good to learn how to control a car properly at the same time.”
After his rookie season, Cooper said, “Yes, definitely I will be back next season.”
He would like to get into circuit racing eventually. Currently, His other sports are target rifle shooting and downhill mountain biking, and he competed in Moto-X events in his primary school years.
Anyone 12 years of age and over can participate in ClubSport, although parental consent is required for younger competitors). For a small fee, they can use their own car or hire the Evolution Motorsport Nissan Sentra.
The 2024/2025 ClubSport season commences at Teretonga Park on Sunday 1 September with five more rounds over the summer months.
