Medbury School boy on track to race Supercars, F1

There are untold twists and turns to come for an aspiring 11-year-old motorsport star, though Zach Tucker is confidently approaching the fast track to success.

Zach will represent New Zealand at the annual ROK Cup Superfinal in October, where he will emulate the likes of formula one champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel by racing at Italy’s spiritual home of karting.

The Medbury School year 7 student, who started racing as a six-year-old, learned last Monday he can start doing homework on one of Europe’s highly rated circuits for future F1 drivers, South Garda Karting.

Zach earned the right to represent New Zealand by defending his Vortex Mini ROK national title against 28 rivals over a four-race schedule in Wellington last month.

“It will be an amazing experience, it’ll be quite something and quite frightening I imagine,” said Zach’s mother, Missie Tucker.

Zach is supplied with a kart and engine for the four days of racing, while KartSportNZ covers the entry fee and contributes towards travel and food expenses.

However, Tucker said about 20,000 Euro ($33,000) was required to boost Zach’s campaign, by accessing factory team mechanics and technology.

“For the actual main race we’re going to have to pay to be part of a team to give Zach the best chance, apparently that’s what most people do,” she said.

Zach’s preparations for Italy include overseas experience in Australia, where he will compete in the City of Melbourne Titles on August 6-7.

He won the 2021 Vortex Mini ROK crown at the more familiar surrounds of the Kart Sport Canterbury Race Track.

Coached by Matthew Hamilton of WKS Kartstore, Zach’s next assignment is driving for Medbury in the national schools’ championships in Invercargill on Friday and Saturday.

Zach’s goals for next year are winning a third straight Vortex Mini ROK title, race in Italy again and then step up in class to Junior Rotax karting.

Although South Garda Karting, situated near Lonato del Garda between Venice and Milan, is considered a breeding ground for the next generation of F1 drivers, long-term it is not the pinnacle for Zach.

“I would like to be a Supercars driver like Shane Van Gisbergen,” he said.

However, for now Zach, who turns 12 in December, is content to master karting, a pursuit which succeeded an interest in dirt bikes.

“I really wanted to have a go at karting. I love the competition and challenge of trying to be perfect every lap. I love mixed grid racing,” he said.

Zach has justified the switch with a string of schools, South Island and national titles, including the Goldstar Series trophy previously won by leading New Zealand motorsport drivers Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin.

Hamilton was confident Zach had the tools and drive to go far.

“In a short time he has proven himself time and time again and if not for disruptions (in 2020) due to Covid I firmly believe he would already be a three-time New Zealand champion,” he said.

“I coached Marcus Armstrong (Ferrari Driver Academy member and current formula 2 driver). He won his first title when he was the same age as Zach and I have no doubt Zach has what it takes to succeed. Over the past three seasons he has been almost unbeatable.”