ALVA youngster Robbie Armit is "gearing up" for glory this year as he sets his sights on the Ninja Kart championship.

The fearless nine-year-old came within in a whisker of the title last year before narrowly losing out to one of his rivals.

But he will be hoping to dispel any disappointment of 2016, by taking home the top prize in 2017.

The first race of the Ninja Kart calendar is scheduled to take place in early March, but Robbie has already getting himself prepare for the green light.

Last weekend, he travelled down to the World Cup Sprint at the Arena Essex Raceway to compete in an entirely different track against different types of drivers.

And although the event did not go to plan for Robbie, he will be looking to get back in the swing of things next month during a pre-season meeting at his home circuit in Lochgelly.

His aunt Nicola Baird told the Advertiser: "Robbie's going to do very well this season; he's geared up and ready to go.

"He's got plenty of sponsors too so hopefully he'll be able to travel around this year.

"Without a doubt, he will be gunning for the championship, after only just missing out last time.

"He's switched on to what he needs to do and he can't wait to get back on the track."

Robbie has been racing for a number of years, having started off in the Bambino Karts.

He then moved into the ninjas, which can move at speeds of up to 30mph, and will making another step up after the season ends in October.

Nicola added: "This will be his last season in the ninjas – they only go up to ten years and Robbie turns 10 in August.

"Normally, they would go from ninjas into mini-stock, which goes from 10-16 years old, but there's a possibility that the track at Lochgelly will be bringing out a new junior stock.

"He's not really thinking about that much at the minute, though. He's definitely concentrating on his last season in the ninja karts."