Aspiring IndyCar racer Kaleb Ngatoa is hitting the kart track this weekend, competing in the ROK DVS Senior class in the City of Sails meeting.
Ngatoa is spending his summer back home after a busy 2021, which saw him race in the S5000 class in Australia and the Formula Regionals championship in the U.S.
But nothing quite beats thrashing a kart around the local track. So why not get some early pre-season training in before jetting back off stateside.
“Absolutely love karting,” he said. “It’s so raw and so much fun. But it’s also so physical. Probably the best training you could do to prepare yourself for the season.”
Ngatoa’s entry makes this weekend’s meeting one to watch.
Other international racers confirmed include Formula 2 duo Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong.
While the three aren’t in the same class, it’s always exciting to see old karters come back to where it all started.
“It’s more just for a bit of fun getting back into a kart and a bit of training before I head into my season of cars,” he said.
“But, as a driver, I’ve got that drive to always want to do well and it’s always more fun at the front.”
Ngatoa has only had one day in kart since leaving MIQ.
“I did a small race weekend after MIQ. [But] before that I haven’t raced competitively in over four years.”
A week after the City of Sails meeting, Ngatoa will race in the CIK Trophy of New Zealand meet in Hamilton.
No spectators are permitted in either event due to Red Light Covid-19 restrictions.
Instead, Velocity News will share a YouTube live stream of each on our website and Facebook page.