Auckland City Toyota's Marcus Armstrong Kick Starts 2015

Young Christchurch driver, Marcus Armstrong, has kick-started 2015 with a decisive drive, taking two race wins and a second place in Auckland City Toyota’s TR86 one make racings series this weekend at Ruapuna.

The commanding result leads into the biggest challenge in the 14 year old’s career, as he boards a flight to join the factory Tony Kart Racing team in Italy for a full season of demanding senior KF grade karting championship.

Marcus came into Round three of TR86 on the back of a podium placing at Pukekohe last year and seeking a return to the winner’s step. With leading lap times in both practice and qualifying sessions Armstrong made his intentions apparent straight from the outset. Armstrong lapping almost half a second ahead of last season’s champion, Jamie McNee and even giving his Porsche-racing father, Rick Armstrong, who was also contesting this round, a driving lesson on his home track.

“The car definitely felt well-set up this weekend,” said Armstrong, “Andy Neal has got the car working really well and obviously with his tuition in the TR86 has also been a huge help as I come to grips with the car.”
In Race two Ash Blewett fought hard and secured a win over Armstrong who maintained a strong second place, meanwhile his father Rick unwillingly provided a memorable moment in the race by being shunted off the track by another competitor. “It’s disappointing, the other guy isn’t a championship contender and I was just leasing the spare as a one-off, to adopt such aggressive tactics is plain unnecessary. The car’s components are expensive as it is, playing dodgems is an easy way to put people off leasing drives in the future.”

The team regrouped with Team Manager Andy Neale making some minor adjustments and again Marcus fought for the lead, this time with his Auckland City Toyota team mate Tom Alexander, the pair offering close and expert racing for the fans before Marcus cemented another win in a dramatic Auckland City Toyota 1-2 finish. Rick also climbed through the field to finish 5th.

Marcus has been picked to represent one of the world’s best karting teams in what is an undeniable breeding ground for future Formula1 stars, and now heads to La Conca Italy to begin testing at Tony Kart Racing ahead of Round 1 of the WSK Champions Cup. Marcus will also call Europe home for the full season and receive mentorship from former world champion, Ollie Oakes as well as testing Formula 4 with an eye to contesting the Australian championship later in the year.

For more information please go to http://www.aucklandcitytoyota.co.nz .