Last year's rookie crew out to make it five in a row
Jak Cockman is set to complete a remarkable season in the fifth and final round of the 2008 Honda Formula 4-Stroke championships in the Isle of Man this weekend. Last year’s ‘rookie-of-the-year’ has won all four previous rounds the 150hp class driving Drainstore.com.
All eyes will be on Jak of Exmouth and his Southampton based navigator Andy Phipps as they attempt to take 15points from a possible 50 in this final showdown. They currently benefit from the desirable position of being 45 points clear of the field and the rest will need something to go considerably wrong with the leaders to have any chance of catching up.
An attractive prize awaits Drainstore.com; as the winners can claim an all expenses paid trip to New Zealand, to compete in the antipodean equivalent of the Formula 4-Stroke Championship, plus a £4,000 watch curtsey of Ebel the official timing sponsor of the series.
“It’s all gone better than I could have planned,” said Cockman. “I’ve got more and more confident with each race and that’s enabled me to win even more. To go from getting the ‘Rookie-Of-The-Year Award’ last season to being in the current position as we enter the last race has been amazing progression. I almost can’t believe it”
Cockman’s rise has been helped by dad Dave – a keen powerboater himself – and older brother Mark, who currently lies sixth in the more powerful 225hp Class Buildbase. If Jak wins, then Dave Cockman insists the whole family will be there to congratulate him.
“It’s been a really, really good season all round,” Dave Cockman said. “We can’t wait for the grand prix in Douglas (Isle of Man) because it will be a proud moment if Jak ends up on that final podium.”If he wins the trip to New Zealand as well, we’ll be going along to support him in the race out there.” With both Cockman brothers’ boats being offered a place in the Sail, Power and Watersports Show at Earls Court in November, and a lucrative sponsorship deal in the pipeline, dad Dave is delighted that Jak and Mark have each enjoyed such success this season.
“To have Jak leading the way and Mark to be doing so well as well, it’s been great to see,” he added. “Mark has been offered a new boat by his sponsor Buildbase if he can finish in the top six so he’s on course for a fantastic season as well. The best his team have finished before is in 12th so for him to pull them up to sixth in his first season is wonderful.”
Jak Cockman is under no illusions what his ambitions are. “I want to beat my brother,” he said. “If I can tie up the win in the final that would be great and I’d do one more year in the 150hp class. After that I would love to move up to 225hp and compete against Mark. “I wouldn’t say it’s my ultimate ambition but it would feel pretty good beating him!”
