Supercars championship leader Scott McLaughlin returned to his old stomping ground on Thursday as he took some time out before the all-important endurance rounds.
The DJR Team Penske racer held a media session promoting the ITM Auckland SuperSprint at the Hamilton Kart Club, where he is the patron.
The 24-year-old's name is plastered across the honours board in the clubrooms and he took to the track in front of current members, selected media and sponsors of the Auckland SuperSprint - ITM.
"Karting is very close to my heart and I have been trying for a number of years to help a little bit and push it and I haven't been able to do enough," the Kiwi said.
"This is the one time where I have been able to come back and do something. It is a bit cooler than norm - driving a go-kart is always fun."
Having spent his youth in Hamilton McLaughlin had a lot of friends and family in attendance including his Mum and Dad, who still live in the city.
He showcased his skills to the few hundred spectators by blasting around the track in a kart, immediately showing up fellow members as well as signing autographs.
"It is awesome to see so many kids out here having fun and to be a role model for the next generation is pretty cool," he added.
McLaughlin has been the dominant figure in this year's championship - completely owning qualifying where he has already matched Jamie Whincup's season pole position record with a number of events remaining. He holds a 12-point lead over Whincup in the championship with the three endurance events fast approaching.
The next race in the championship is the Sandown 500 next month.
-NZ Herald