Workington Comets number 1 rider and man of the moment Craig Cook takes time out to talk to Workingtonspeedway.co.uk

Cookie, now that we are a good way into the 2010 season how do you think the Comets have done generally and what has been your most memorable meeting to date?
 

 

i think the comets have done extremely well this season, and with the current good form we are in there is no reason why we cant win most of the remaining fixtures. ive had so many good meetings this year but the one that sticks to mind has to be my 18 point max against stoke.
 

 

What are your thoughts on the Derwent Park track so far this season, and do the riders have any input on how it should be prepared before a meeting?

i personally love riding at derwent park. The track can be rode flat out without even getting off the gas and thats what speedway is about, for sure the riders all have their say about the track but i think we're all pretty agreed that we need a tad more dirt round the outside but not so much so we cant attack it.
 

 

You don’t have to look far to see a blue and green “Cookie” t-shirt on a Saturday night to see how much the fans think of you and how far you’ve came, So how do you rate your own season so far, highs and lows?

Green..? its dayglow yellow ahaha ;) my season so far has been pretty good but it has had its low points like when i only scored 4 at stoke or when i scored 1 at berwick, but even Crumpy has bad days so i guess i cant complain.
 

 

Everyone in the team really seems to gel together which can only be a good thing when it comes to racing, do you see any of the lads outside of the Speedway socially?

We all have a good time and we just take it easy and have a laugh.
when your sitting there ready to go out and your having a laugh with one of your team mates it takes all the pressure away and you go out and do your thing. i dont really see any of the guys but i suppose the likes of Rusty if he isnt busy with speedway or work he is spending time with his family.
 

 

Your currently riding in all three tiers of the sport which must be demanding on machinery, how many bikes are you currently running ?

Yeah it was demanding but everything has seemed to go quiet all of a sudden. im running 2 bikes which are Jawa chassis stuha forks with gm engines. Next year im going to try and get 4 bikes up and running to run Elite league aswell.
 

 

There has been a lot in the press regarding the high running costs of Speedway both from a riders and a promoters/mangers perspective, any thoughts on this?

Its a very expensive sport, to build a bike to the spec of mine your looking at about £8000 and half of that is the engine, its £41 for a tyre and that lasts 5 minutes the list goes on from oil methanol to engine rebuilds. I cant comment on the costs from the promoters side but im sure it isnt cheap.
 

 

I think it’s fair to say you’ve made a successful switch from Moto-x to Speedway but what changes would you make to improve our sport?

I dont think i would change a thing. when i think of something i will be sure to let you know.
 

 

What is your favourite away track and who is your most respected rival?

Redcar is a good track i always seem to race well there. rival would have to be Adrian Rymel, he's a nice genuine guy and i have a lot of time for him.
 

 

Surely as a rider who is on form you must of considered the future what’s the plan and where do you see yourself in say 3 years time?

3 years who knows? but next year i'm hoping to ride Premier and Elite.
 

 

And finally the burning question early perhaps but where to next season? On one hand we see riders who seem happy to stay with one club for sometime then riders like Joe Haines for example who switch track every year –

workington is where my heart is and i would love to be back for my 3rd season but who knows only time will tell. Ive had a few Elite league clubs really interested in me so we will just see who wants to splash the cash haha.
 

 

Thanks to all the fans, sponsors, promotion, family and friends without all of you i wouldn't be where i am today.

cheers

cookie.