FEARLESS Robbie Armit will be setting his sights on championship gold next year, as he competes in his final Ninja Kart season.

The Alva youngster came close to the title last month, following a dramatic head-to-head rivalry with eventual winner Charlie Hardie.

And with the new season scheduled to begin in the spring, the prodigious nine-year-old is targeting a finish on the centre podium come October 2017.

Nicola Taylor, Robbie's aunt, has watched the Alva Primary School pupil develop in recent months and sees a bright racing future ahead for him.

She told Advertiser Sport: "Robbie has really come on leaps and bounds this season. He's has worked really hard; he knows how to read the traffic and what line to take on the track.

"There has been a battle all season with Charlie and the two boys have raced their hearts out.

"They run around with each other and are pals really but there's no friends on the track. And that's his line; he's very competitive."

Robbie competes in the Ninja Kart formula at the Hardie Racing Promotions raceway in Lochgelly.

At this level, aspiring racers aged between six and 11 are able to hone their skills on the oval track, before moving onto a more advanced set-up.

Due to his age, Robbie will be moving on this time next year as he looks to progress up the ranks but will have one last crack at the Ninja Kart title.

Nicola said: "He just loves it – he's travelled all over the UK and Ireland to compete and if ever there are any talks in school, all he talks about is his racing.

"His whole family have always been very interested in racing. His dad used to race and he and Robbie's mum met through the racing as well.

"He started off in the Bambino Karts which is similar but much smaller and slower. These Ninja Karts can go around 20-30mph.

"Robbie is a star of the future. Who knows, he might be the next Lewis Hamilton!

"He'll have to retire from Ninja Karts next year and decide what formula to go to but he'll definitely keep up the racing."

Though there is a lot of protection given to the young racers, there's not much to ease the nerves of those family members watching on.

"It can be terrifying to watch at times," Nicola added. "He had one bad accident where he actually rolled right over.

"Other times he has had sore bones and sore fingers. I think once he went to the hospital but it wasn't too serious.

"He just wanted to go straight back out again – that's him; that's his character. He's totally fearless."