Young kart driver off to race in Italy

Kart racer Logan Manson from Levin has won his place on the grid at the ROK Cup International final to be held in Italy in October. All that now stands between the 11-year-old and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is $20,000 to get there.

A young Levin karting champion is set to travel to Italy in October to represent New Zealand in the International ROK Cup kart racing finals.

Logan Manson, 11, competed in the final heat of a four-part nationals held in Blenheim on the weekend, where he placed third, and won the competition ahead of his nearest rival by five points.

"When I realised I had won, I was so happy with myself. I had a huge smile on my face," he said.

"I finally did it. I'm off to Italy. I am very nervous but excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me."

By winning the national ROK Cup, Logan received a voucher for the 2017 ROK Cup international entry fee, supply of a complete kart and Vortex engine, race tyres, free paddock space and tent, hotel accommodation and lunches, a $2500 travel voucher from the Dunlop/Kartsport travel fund and a share of the Motul NZ travel fund.

In Italy, Logan will be competing against more than 170 kart drivers from more than 40 countries.

The most he has raced against in New Zealand was 31.

Logan aims to place in the B final and in the top 70 drivers.

He will be driving a new kart without a limiter, which means his kart will be faster than he is used to, something that excites the young driver.

"The faster I go, the better I race," he said.

Logan's granddad Jack McGowan said that before the ROK Cup, Logan had never raced on the tracks in Invercargill or Te Puke.

"The reason he took out the competition is his ability to adapt to new tracks. I believe that adaptability will serve him well in Italy," he said.

He hopes Logan will be able to complete in a competition in Italy the weekend before the ROK Cup International final.

"This track is the best in the world with a large field. We hope to get the opportunity to get used to the track and style of racing," he said.

The ROK Cup International final is held in Italy on October 11-14 and Logan will need to raise a further $20,000 to compete.

To help Logan get to Italy, visit his givealittle page:
givealittle.co.nz/donate/Cause/helploganracerokcupfinal