Charlie Cox (racing)
Encyclopedia
Charlie Cox a motorcycling
commentator, was brought up in the Sydney
suburb of Gymea
.
in 1993 and 1994, winning several races. He also won the Willhire 24 Hour
at Snetterton
, again in a Ford Escort RS Cosworth
, in 1993. For 1995 he moved up to the BTCC
in a Ford Mondeo
for his recently formed Thames Ford Dealers team with sponsorship from the Evening Standard
newspaper. He caused a sensation in a wet race early in the season by finishing 5th, although behind both works Fords, choosing the correct tyres and recovering from an early spin. However, a huge barrel-rolling crash at Thruxton
left him with concussion, and caused him to miss several races. When he returned it was in a hatchback Mondeo, making him the first driver to race one in the BTCC. He raced occasionally in Sportscars subsequently, as well as some appearances at the Bathurst 1000
.
. For 1998 Murray left, and was replaced by 1982 Formula One Championship
runner-up John Watson
. When the BBC lost BTCC coverage, they switched Cox to motorbike coverage alongside Steve Parrish
and Suzi Perry
.
He currently commentates on MotoGP racing for the BBC
in partnership with former GP racer Steve Parrish. Cox is known for numerous catchphrases including "revs are up, ready for a start" shortly before the racing; "taking the hole shot" to mean either taking the lead at the start or passing two or more rivals in one go; "that's shot the fox" when a rider providing exciting action dropped out; describing "lunatic" drivers as "mad axe murderers"; a bad race as "a nightmare in a bubble car"; "he needs that like a third armpit" referring to any rider's misfortune; "as close as you like"; "he's really got the magnets on", regarding a trailing rider closing on a leading rider; a rider being "as fast as a fast thing on fast pills" for pretty much any reason. He often closes with "are there ANY questions?" He is also well known for one-liners that include, "at the start Dani Pedrosa is off the line quicker than a white slice out of my toaster" and "there's so many dropping out of this race I'm gonna jump on a pit-lane scooter and claim my first world championship points". He frequently refers to co-commentator Steve Parrish as "Oracle".
, along with cartoonist Warren Brown
and advanced driving instructor Steve Pizzati
, which premiered on SBS
on 29 September 2008.
On 19 December 2008, Charlie announced his departure from Top Gear Australia due to lack of time. He was replaced by jazz legend and motoring fan, James Morrison
.
Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
commentator, was brought up in the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
suburb of Gymea
Gymea, New South Wales
Gymea is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Gymea is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the Sutherland Shire. The postcode is 2227, which it shares with adjacent suburb Gymea Bay.-History:The...
.
Racing career
His background is based on 4 wheels rather than 2. He raced in the National Saloon Car Cup in Britain using a Ford Escort RS CosworthFord Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort. It was available from 1992-96 in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large "whale tail" rear spoiler...
in 1993 and 1994, winning several races. He also won the Willhire 24 Hour
Willhire 24 Hour
The Willhire 24 Hour was an endurance race for production cars held at Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit in Norfolk, England between 1980 and 1994. Over the years, the race included both sports cars and saloon cars. Latterly, it was contested by competitors running in the FIA Group N specification...
at Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
, again in a Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort. It was available from 1992-96 in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large "whale tail" rear spoiler...
, in 1993. For 1995 he moved up to the BTCC
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
in a Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
for his recently formed Thames Ford Dealers team with sponsorship from the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
newspaper. He caused a sensation in a wet race early in the season by finishing 5th, although behind both works Fords, choosing the correct tyres and recovering from an early spin. However, a huge barrel-rolling crash at Thruxton
Thruxton Circuit
Thruxton Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near the village of Thruxton in Hampshire, England which is used to host a number of motorsport events including British Touring Cars and Formula 3 racing....
left him with concussion, and caused him to miss several races. When he returned it was in a hatchback Mondeo, making him the first driver to race one in the BTCC. He raced occasionally in Sportscars subsequently, as well as some appearances at the Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
.
Commentary career
His second career began when he started commentating on BTCC in 1997 alongside Murray WalkerMurray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker, OBE is a former Formula One motorsport commentator...
. For 1998 Murray left, and was replaced by 1982 Formula One Championship
1982 Formula One season
The 1982 Formula One season was the 33rd FIA Formula One World Championship season. It commenced on January 23, 1982, and ended on September 25 after sixteen races. The World Drivers' Championship was won by Williams driver Keke Rosberg. Rosberg was the first driver since Mike Hawthorn in the 1958...
runner-up John Watson
John Watson (racing driver)
John Marshall "Wattie" Watson MBE is a British former racing driver from Northern Ireland. He competed in Formula One, winning five Grands Prix and also in the World Sportscar Championship...
. When the BBC lost BTCC coverage, they switched Cox to motorbike coverage alongside Steve Parrish
Steve Parrish
Steve Parrish is a former motorcycle and truck racer, who now commentates for various British television channels on motorsport.-Racing career:...
and Suzi Perry
Suzi Perry
Suzi Perry is an English television presenter, best known for covering MotoGP for the BBC for 13 years and The Gadget Show.-Early life:...
.
He currently commentates on MotoGP racing for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in partnership with former GP racer Steve Parrish. Cox is known for numerous catchphrases including "revs are up, ready for a start" shortly before the racing; "taking the hole shot" to mean either taking the lead at the start or passing two or more rivals in one go; "that's shot the fox" when a rider providing exciting action dropped out; describing "lunatic" drivers as "mad axe murderers"; a bad race as "a nightmare in a bubble car"; "he needs that like a third armpit" referring to any rider's misfortune; "as close as you like"; "he's really got the magnets on", regarding a trailing rider closing on a leading rider; a rider being "as fast as a fast thing on fast pills" for pretty much any reason. He often closes with "are there ANY questions?" He is also well known for one-liners that include, "at the start Dani Pedrosa is off the line quicker than a white slice out of my toaster" and "there's so many dropping out of this race I'm gonna jump on a pit-lane scooter and claim my first world championship points". He frequently refers to co-commentator Steve Parrish as "Oracle".
Top Gear Australia
Charlie was named as one of the hosts of the first season of Top Gear AustraliaTop Gear Australia
Top Gear Australia was an Australian motoring television series based on the BBC series Top Gear.The show premiered on SBS One on 29 September 2008 at 7:30 pm AEST, with its first season consisting of 8 episodes...
, along with cartoonist Warren Brown
Warren Brown (cartoonist)
Warren Brown is an Australian cartoonist and television presenter.He has been an editorial newspaper cartoonist since 1986. He is currently cartoonist for the Sydney's Daily Telegraph, for which he also writes a weekly motoring column....
and advanced driving instructor Steve Pizzati
Steve Pizzati
Steve Pizzati is an Australian race driver, driving instructor, television presenter and free-lance motoring journalist.He was born in Melbourne to Italian parents; he did not learn to speak English until he was four years old....
, which premiered on SBS
Special Broadcasting Service
The Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
on 29 September 2008.
On 19 December 2008, Charlie announced his departure from Top Gear Australia due to lack of time. He was replaced by jazz legend and motoring fan, James Morrison
James Morrison (musician)
James Morrison AM is an Australian jazz musician who plays numerous instruments, but is best known for his trumpet playing...
.