Geoff Leeds pays tribute to Bathurst-winning co-driver Digby Cooke as racing royalty bids him farewell at funeral

The man who celebrated a Bathurst class win with the late Digby Cooke has paid tribute to the ‘quick-witted’ family man and one of the greatest story tellers he has ever known following his funeral.

THE man who celebrated a Bathurst class win with the late Digby Cooke has paid tribute to the ‘quick-witted’ family man and one of the greatest story tellers he has ever known.

Geoff Leeds shared the Ford Escort that Cooke used to propel them to a class win at Bathurst in 1972 and was among a legion of friends and family, including Bathurst winner Barry Seton, who attended his funeral at Southport Church of Christ on Tuesday.

“It was sombre, as they all are,” Leeds said of the service for Cooke who died last week at the age of 93 after recently suffering a stroke.

The late Digby Cooke with partner Gwen in front of their Jaguar XJ13 replica, Ferarri and Porsche. Picture: Bruce Long

“There were numerous people from motorsport there to bid farewell to a man we all respected so highly.

“He was a lovely bloke, quick-witted, a very astute businessman and a great story teller, because he had so many stories to tell.

“He was so easy to become friendly with and his whole residential block were at the funeral.”

Parked outside the funeral was Cooke’s red Jaguar, one of multiple cars in his collection that will remain in the family.

Leeds and Cooke raced for years together in the Production Tour Car Championship at Warwick Farm, swapping between first and second in most races as rivals.

“When the racing was over he would open the boot of his car and we would have a cold drink together,” Leeds said.

The late Digby Cooke with partner Gwen in front of their Jaguar XJ13 replica. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

Cooke had raced the main event at Bathurst multiple times before approaching Leeds with the idea of teaming up for the event in 1972.

“We led from almost the entire race,” Leeds recalled.

“It started as a wet race in the pouring race and Digby started in the car.

“We were already ahead by the time the rain cleared thanks to Digby’s expertise as a driver and then I jumped in and we won our class. Digby retired that day.

“I tried to convince him to come back the next year but he had previously had some large accidents and wanted to be around for his family.”

Cooke also spent time co-driving for racing legend Peter Brock, with the duo racing together at the Surfers Paradise International Raceway.