By Daniel Powell
In what was only his third appearance of the 09/10 season; Jeremy Cross’ performance last Saturday night (December 12) at Parramatta City Raceway (PCR) indicates that he is going to be one to watch for the remainder of the season.
On the eve of the Christmas / New Year schedule at PCR, Cross was more pleased than disappointed with last Saturday night’s outcome and is looking forward to similar results as the season progresses.
“It would’ve been good to finish the night on the podium, but I think our downfall was a bit of race fitness and setup,” admitted Cross, who ended up finishing the feature race in sixth place. “Although I was a little disappointed finishing the feature race was the goal for the night and anytime you finish inside the top 10 you can’t be too disappointed as you’re up against the toughest competition in the country.”
For the 09/10 season, where he is debuting a new NSW # 39 Frank Cross Tyres supported Maxim, Cross is confident that the best is yet to come for him and his new machinery.
“Our new car has shown plenty of promise in only its third run of the season,” he said. “Once we get a better handle of it I feel confident that we improve our results and one thing that we’re working really hard on this season is our consistency.”
Last Saturday night Cross results leading up to the feature race saw him qualify 16th in time trials and then place fourth in his heat race and that qualified him into Dash # 2. Cross started Dash # 2, which decided the outside starting positions for the feature race, from position two and led current Australian Champion Garry Brazier for nearly the entire six lap distance before the latter passed him on the final corner of the final lap. Due to his second place finish in Dash # 2 Cross started the feature race from position four and he was able to make the most of this starting position.
“Early on in the feature race we remained in the top five and then towards the middle stages we moved into third place,” the Dubbo (NSW) based racer explained. “We stayed there up until I slipped back in the closing stages and ended up finishing in sixth. Although we were a bit disappointed to fade in the closing laps and miss out on our first PCR podium finish we will be better off because of this experience.”
Special thanks must go to Glenno Ingles for all his assistance on the night.
Cross will return to PCR on Boxing Night (December 26) in what will be the start of the Christmas / New Year International part of the 09/10 season.
Cross would like to thank his team, father Frank, older brother Michael, Jimmy, and Spike for all their support, along with all his 09/10 season sponsors: Frank Cross Tyres, Firenza Tyres, Concept Motorsports, Sydney Tyre Company, Recamic, Pedders Suspension Dubbo, Steve Morris Smash Repairs Dubbo, Gasweld and Valvoline Oils.