Armstrong Quick But Penalised at WSK Round
| press release | 24 March 2015 |
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Young Kiwi kart ace Marcus Armstrong was quick but lost fourth place in the Final to a penalty at the latest WSK Master (kart) Series round in Italy over the weekend.
The 14-year-old put on a brave face afterwards but it was obvious he was disappointed.
"It was certainly unfortunate to have such a strong result taken away from us after a lot of hard work but I believe we made big steps this weekend and I hope to continue this form through to the next round of the series at La Conca next month," he said.
Above: Kiwi Marcus Armstrong (#202) at the WSK Super Master Series in Italy on Sunday
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Fast Company/Tony Kart
After not quite getting on top of the set-up and tyres at the opening series round a fortnight ago the 14-year-old Kiwi kart champ from Christchurch was on the pace from the get-go this time around.
He was 13th quickest in qualifying practice before finishing fifth and sixth respectively in his two heats then sixth in his Pre-Final (held in pouring rain) and fourth (at the line before the penalty) in the Final, just behind his works Tony Kart team teammate Nicklas Nielsen.
"It was really strong day, in my opinion, " said Armstrong. "Our Pre-Final was particularly tough because it was held in pouring rain and we were all very evenly matched and no one could gain a position.
"Sixth in that gave me 12th spot on the grid for the Final and I fought my way through to sixth on the first two laps then slowly made my way forward to fourth behind Nielsen," Armstrong said. " I held fourth until the last lap before I had to battle to keep the position on the last few turns which I did. However I was given the 10 second penalty which put me back down to 11th."
The third (of four) round of the 2015 WSK Master Series will be held at the La Conca circuit at Muro Leccese from Thursday to Sunday April 09-April 12
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Fast Company/Tony Kart
2015 WSK Master Series (Italy) Rnd 2 Castelletto di Branduzzo Pavia Italy Thurs-Sun March 19-22
Results
KF
Final
1. Karol Basz (Poland/Kosmic/Vortex/Vega) 20 laps
2. Matteo Vigano (Italy/Top Kart/Parilla/Vega) +4.876
3. Nicklas Nielsen (Denmark/Tony Kart/Vortex/Vega) +8.354
4. Benjamin Lessennes (Sweden/Zanardi/TM/Vega) +16.99
5. Max Fretwell (GB/FA Kart/Vortex/Vega) +17.53
6. Pedro Hiltbrand (Spain/CRG/Parilla/Vega) + 20.82
also
11. Marcus Armstrong (NZ/Tony Kart/Vortex/Vega) +26.67 (incl 10 sec penalty)
2015 WSK Master Series (Italy)
Points after Rnd 2
1. Karol Basz 180
2. Nicklas Nielsen 130
3. Martin Van Leeuwen 50
4. Matteo Vigano 48
5. Pedro Hiltbrand 42
6. Max Fretwell 41
also
15. Marcus Armstrong 25.
Calendar
Rnd 1 Adria International Raceway Thurs-Sun March 05-March 08
Rnd 2 International Circuit 7 Laghi Thurs-Sun March 19-22
Rnd 3 International Circuit La Conca Muro Leccese Thurs-Sun April 09-April 12
Rnd 4 International Circuit Napoli Sarno Thurs-Sun April 23-26