Teen karter off to UK

Christchurch-based driver Marcus Armstrong is off for a long-term stay in Europe after securing a spot on the Tony Kart Racing karting team from Italy. Already accomplished in karting, Formula Ford and Toyota’s TR-86 series and holding five national kart championships – as well as success in kart championships in Japan, the US and Europe – Marcus has amassed significant race mileage. But this will represent the 14-year-old’s first full-season drive in the senior-grade KF championship. RELATED: Teen tackles TR86 title With him competing in all rounds of the CIK-FIA and WSK championships as part of what is widely regarded as the world’s leading factory kart team, and with access to expert training programmes, this is the opportunity Marcus and his father, Rick Armstrong, have been working towards. “This is a new approach to breaking into the European motorsport scene for drivers on this side of the world,” explains Rick, managing director of the Armstrong Motor Group. “Rather than approaching teams later in his career, Marcus is basing himself in Europe early. It’s really the first time a Kiwi is making such a commitment to karting there, but it’s the breeding ground for the world’s best drivers and we think it will open doors for him.” Based in the UK, but racing across the continent and with mentorship by former world-karting champion Oliver Oakes, Marcus will incorporate simulator training into his regime and testing in Formula 4 with an eye to contest the F4 series in Australia later this year because it aligns with his northern hemisphere race calendar. He will be keeping up with academic commitments via correspondence back to New Zealand. “It’s definitely going to be a bit of work,” admits Marcus, “but this is the career I wish to forge for myself and I’m fortunate to have this opportunity. It’s worth working hard for.” Marcus will contest the Ruapuna round of TR-86 this weekend before heading to La Conca in Italy ahead of round one of the WSK Champion’s Cup.