Newly minted Indycar driver Marcus Armstrong, formerly of Christchurch, was at Highlands International Motorsport Park, in Cromwell, at the weekend.
Armstrong was there to coach his dad, Rick, who was driving on a race track for the first time since 2016 when he did the Bathurst 12 Hour.
Rick said he was there purely for fun. He loved driving and fast cars, and the only way to enjoy both was on the track.
He felt a little rusty initially, but after his first race on Saturday was back in the groove and aiming to get up the field yesterday.
The GT New Zealand category he was competing in was relaxed and fun with a great bunch of competitors.
"With the team it’s like getting the band back together from many years ago," Armstrong said.
Marcus said he had no trouble getting his dad to listen to him.
"He does listen to my advice, which is quite a surprise. He recognises I’ve done a few more laps than him."
At the same time, Rick’s car, a Porsche 911 Cup car, was "a bit of an animal" and would take a bit of getting used to.
"He’s doing very, very well."
Marcus was also doing very, very well. His summer break with family and friends was drawing to a close and at the end of the week he would head to the United States to join the Chip Ganassi Racing team alongside fellow New Zealanders Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin.
This year would be his first season racing outside Europe for some time. He had watched Indycar racing since he was little and was excited.
"There’s going to be a third Kiwi on the grid and I’m looking forward to the challenge."
From 2017 to 2021 Armstrong was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and in 2020-22 competed in the FIA Formula 2 championship.
Always up for a challenge, Marcus was trying his hand at race commentating yesterday for the Toyota Racing Series.
"It’s going to be something new, a different perspective on the whole race."
- By Julie Asher
