Young NI racing champion lines up on starting grid with Formula One legend Eddie Irvine

On Sunday, Rory Armstrong, a young racer from Downpatrick, got the chance to share a track with Northern Ireland’s most successful F1 driver, Irvine.

Rory was invited to the Eddie Irvine Sports indoor karting track in Bangor after he became the World Rotax 125 Mini Max kart racing series champion last month.

Irvine said he was proud to see the youngster on his track.

“It’s fantastic, what he’s achieved so far is amazing,” Irvine said. “It’s a long road to Formula One, but you know, he can only do what he’s doing, which is winning. And you know, if he keeps doing that, he’ll get there. It’s just a matter of time.”

Irvine gave Rory a helmet belonging to 1976 F1 champion James Hunt and the suit worn by three-time champion Niki Lauda — which featured in the movie Rush — to wear on the day.

Rory said he enjoyed his visit to the track. “I’ve had the most amazing day,” he said. “Not only am I sharing a track with a F1 legend, but I also got to wear James Hunt’s helmet and Niki Lauda’s race suit. This is a day I will never forget. Thanks Eddie and all at EI Sports.”

Rory’s dad Andrew said his son was a huge fan of Irvine and was delighted to race against him.

“Eddie asked Rory if he’d like to come and get some pictures and go out together in the karts after winning his world championship title last month in Bahrain,” he said.

“So, we’re obviously very keen to come down and meet him here at the track and get the two of them on track together.”

Rory has dedicated the last few years to the sport, which paid off last month in Bahrain when he lifted the world title, fending off 71 world-class rivals from across the globe.

He will be off to Belgium soon to start the new season where he is aiming for glory and the chance to be invited to another world final later in the year.

While Rory might not be at Formula One level yet, Irvine is impressed by how skilled the young boy is at such a young age.

“I started late, and I got there late. I started at 17 and I didn’t do go-karting, I went straight into Formula Ford at Kirkistown.

“I got my first test in Formula One when I was probably around 23, something like that. And then I went to Japan for three years racing in Le Mans and did that, and then came back into Formula One when I was 26.

“He’s very young yet, so he’s a long way to go, but he’s showing all the signs of doing it right. It’s a huge advantage to start young. The guys in Formula One now all started at four or five years of age.”