Misir, McConnell laud junior Caribbean karters

JAMAICAN NITROCROSS sensation Fraser McConnell and Formula Woman driver Sara Misir praised the Caribbean’s young cadre of karters, who participated in the third Caribbean Junior Karting Academy Trophy (CJKAT) at the Palisadoes International Raceway from July 21 to 23.

The NitroCross champion and driver for Lewis Hamilton’s X44 Vida Carbon Racing, who was third among the seniors, was impressed with the high level of competition.

“It’s good to see Jamaica hosting this competition for the first time, and even better to see the high level of talent at all levels.”

After three days of competition, the lone female among the juniors, Trinidad and Tobago’s 13-year-old Naomi Jade Garcia, emerged as the new Caribbean Junior Karting Champion, with Jamaica’s Zander Williams and Matthew Warmington in second and third, respectively.

For Misir, Garcia was impressive:

“She has been incredible all weekend. So focused, fearless and full of personality on the track. Seeing her outclassing the competition and hoisting the trophy was a tremendous high.”

Misir, who chatted with Garcia after her victory, added: “I urged her to stay focused as we need more women and girls in motorsports. The level of physicality required to get to the very top of the sport is a pretty steep curve. Still, with her level of will and determination and, of course, given more opportunities to compete at a high level, anything is possible. “

McConnell had similar sentiments about the Trinidad and Tobago junior.

“I had a great time watching the young talent from across the region, but special commendations to Naomi; we need more diversity in the sport at all levels, and she was pretty solid all weekend!” said McConnell.

CJKAT is the Caribbean’s version of the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, the first rung on the ladder of the FIA’s single-seater path to F1.

CJKAT allows more opportunities for Caribbean hopefuls to race. The regional series caters to a more comprehensive age range than in Europe, where the limits are 12 to 14 years.

The 24-year-old McConnell is the most competitively successful Jamaican driver in the history of international rallycross racing – with a championship victory in 2019, a supercar victory in 2021, and a fourth-round win in the 2022 season.

He occupies the top spot in NitroCross 2023-24 after winning the season opener in June. He returns to competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, for second-leg action from August 18-to-19.

Misir, 25, is the Caribbean’s only competitive female race car driver. She competed as part of the Formula Woman Team for McLaren Customer Racing in the British GT Cup Championship in races at Snetterton, Oulton Park and Silverstone.