Fast-rising young Kiwi karter Marcus Armstrong is realistic about his ultimate karting challenge, lining up alongside three-time world champion Marco Ardigo on the works Tony Kart team in Europe this year in the sport’s premier class, KZ.
The 15-year-old enjoyed a strong Northern Hemisphere debut in the KF class last year, winning the final round of the European championship in New Zealand in July.
But there is a big difference between the direct-drive KF and 6-speed gearbox-equipped KZ class karts and Armstrong says it will take time to adapt.
“For me it will be a step up because I don’t have much experience with gearbox karts,” he said while back in New Zealand this week. “Also, KZ is the category that all the factories work hard to win so I will need to learn the tricks of KZ quickly.”
“Naturally I want to be on the podium and challenging for victories, but in my opinion it will take a few months to get to a high level.”
Armstrong will contest the Italy-based WSK Super Master series and Cup meetings from February to October, the three-round CIK-FIA European Championships between April and July and the single round CIK-FIA World KZ Championship meeting (in New Zealand) in September.
While in Europe Armstrong will divide his time between Oxford in the UK, where his manager Oli Oakes, is based, and Tony Kart’s factory in northern Italy.
