Canada lost one of its great road racing heroes yesterday, as Greg Cox succumbed to a battle with cancer.
Born almost within hearing distance of Mosport, Greg started fast on two wheels but is probably best remembered for his spectacular success in sidecars with partner Bill Davidson.
His first racing was in Florida in 1973, where he won his first race and also the Florida State Championship for Open Modified Production Bikes.
Back in Canada he teamed up with Davidson, becoming the first rookie team to win the North American Sidecar Championship, plus the Canadian title, repeating in 1975.
On two wheels, he rode with the fabled Lester Wheels team for both sprint and endurance racing, winning numerous titles in the U.S. and Canada, including the 24 Hours of Nelson Ledges.
He was always a delightful gentleman, and a great laugh to be around.
When Bondo and I got into vintage racing, we were horrified to see someone of Greg’s calibre on the grid. I told him that if he hit me, I was going to come back and haunt him. He just laughed, and told me not to worry; if he hit me, it wouldn’t be an accident and I’d deserve it.
He’s going to be missed.
Greg was one of the few pilots I could trust the keys to any test vehicle or prototype. He paid attention to correct form and precision which was needed during endless loops of a short bit of road so I could get my shots. He carried these attributes throughout everything he did.
He will be missed.
Greg had been a friend since my earliest days of racing. The first time I met him was on the back straight at Mosport at 140mph. I owe my best AMA finish, 5th at Daytona, to him. He help build and tune the bike and taught me how to draft. That’s how I was able to stay with the factory racers. Greg was the best driver that I have ever known and a great guy to be with. I’ll miss you buddy!
I remember meeting Greg & Bill at the London Bike show in 77 where we first saw their wild Z1 engined sidecar. Good pic of Greg on their bus,we sure had a lot of fun back in the day. Glad I got to see him one last time at the Supershow recently and get my Masters of Mosport poster signed.
RIP Brother.
As Greg’s sister my memories of going all over North America racing are some of best. All loved bragging that Greg was my brother. Greg’s love of racing has been passed on though. My son, Ken, has the bug. He races his ’91 Z24 at Auto Cross and drag racing, and he drag races his ’08 GXR750.
Keep an eye on him for me Greg, from up there. Love you and miss you.
Very sad. I’ve known Greg since the early 70s when he bought one of the first Z1s in Toronto and went around on the back wheel most of the time. He was a great solo rider and I believe held the Number One plate for sidecars in North America for a couple of years.
Saw him at the recent Supershow and he wasn’t giving up easily. A fighter to the end and one of the real characters.
RIP brother. You’ll be missed.
Thats a shame. Lots of memories of him and Davidson smoking the sidecar field.
RIP or with lots of 4cyl sidecar noises if that would make him happier.