Mini WRC driver Kris Meeke says his victory at the Irish Kart GP on Sunday will help him on this week's Rallye Deutschland.
Meeke guided his 250cc Superkart to victory at Nutts Corner a day before traveling to Germany to begin his preparations for the John Cooper Works WRC's first outing on asphalt.
"Definitely, the karting keeps me sharp," said Meeke. "It really focuses the attention when you've got all those other karts heading down to the first corner alongside you, buzzing away. It was a great race and we managed to get the lap record as well, which was good. It helps to teach you more about aspects like managing your tires and things like that."
Meeke said he would like to race his kart more often, possibly in some British Championship rounds.
"It is good for the driving," he said, "but, of course, my focus is on the World Rally Championship. It would be great to do more races, we'll see. The buzz of doing 113mph an inch off the ground is pretty special!"
Meeke is the latest in a long line of rally drivers who race karts. The former IRC champion's mentor Colin McRae owned a gearbox kart as do Citroen drivers Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier.