Kiwi karter Marcus Armstrong makes his European CIK-FIA KF class championship debut in Portugal this weekend, confident in the knowledge that he has had an excellent build-up in the WSK Masters Series in Italy.
The 14-year-old from Christchurch finished a series-best fourth overall in the KF class at the final round of the WSK series at Sarno in Italy a fortnight ago, elevating him to sixth place in the overall series points standings.
As such he believes that he and his Tony Kart team are well-placed ahead of the first round of this year’s three round CIK-FIA European championship event at Portugal’s Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve circuit at Portimao.
“Unfortunately we haven’t been able to test at the circuit before the week but Tony Kart have a very good knowledge of the track and chassis set-up,” Armstrong said on Wednesday. “Sarno was very positive. Our speed was strong and the results were good, but it could have been a lot better!
“I learned a lot from that weekend and I can take that to Portimao and fight for some top positions.
“We’ll have to stay out of trouble and have a consistent run through the heat races.
“Ultimately I’m going to Portugal ambitious and I can’t wait to be challenged.”
Armstrong will be one of over 125 young karters from all over the world competing in Portugal this weekend.
With the defending title holders in both classes – Callum Illot (KF) and Enaam Ahmed (KFJ) – now racing cars the way is open for new drivers, like Armstrong, to stake their claim for European title success.
In the KF class WSK series protagonists Nicklas Nielsen from New Zealand (Armstrong’s team mate in the works Tony Kart team) and Pole, Karol Basz are tipped to be the drivers to beat with Armstrong one of a group of others which includes Italian Felice Tiene, Martin Van Leeuwen from the Netherlands and Russian Alexander Vartanyan expected to regularly place in the top six.
This year’s CIK-FIA KF and KFJ championship will be decided over three rounds, with the second in the UK in June, and the third and final in New Zealand in July.
The event will live streamed on www.CIKFIA.TV and www.CIKFIACHAMPIONSHIP.COM.
