Issa sweeps all at go-kart meet

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Campion College schoolboy, Thomas Issa, turned in a classy performance on Sunday, dominating the highly competitive Mini Max Class at the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) double-race meet at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.

The 12-year-old karter, who is following swiftly in the footsteps of his father, Chris Issa - a former top go-kart, circuit racing and rally driver - won all four finals in the class, which was dubbed the stellar event of the meet.

"It was a superlative performance," was how Issa's driving-coach, Peter Rae, described young Issa's sensational performance.

Though he was favoured to upset the applecart, based on his scintillating performance on the Florida circuit, 10-year-old Joshua Sirgany did not get an opportunity to take the chequered flag in the Mini Max Class.

"He was running in this class for the first time and I think he gave a respectable performance, which I am satisfied with," said his father, Ricky Sirgany, who is now preparing him for a championship meet in Florida on Sunday.

Jonathan Law, who made his presence felt in the same class, showed signs of improvement and maturity. He too is gearing up for the race meet in Florida this weekend.

"I am expecting him to do well this weekend," his father, Sammy Law, told The Gleaner yesterday.

Another big showdown at Sunday's race meet was the renewed rivalry between Red Bull's Colin Daley Jr and the Derka Wireless/Brumalia House-sponsored kart, driven by Matthew Williams. The latter won three of the four races in the Rotax Junior Class, with Daley taking the other.

"It was dramatic. He had the fastest lap of the day and in the class. I think he's now a cut above the class. I expect him to show more signs of improvement when he competes in Florida on the weekend," commented his father, Neil Williams.

Peter Rae and Peter Moodie Jr finished off the day with impressive wins in the Super Masters and Masters classes, respectively.

Moodie won all four races, with Rae visiting the winners' enclosure three times. Dr Derrick McDowell won the other race in the Super Masters Class.

A 14-year-old American national, Tristan Emmons, whose parents are Jamaicans, made a clean sweep of all four races on his debut in the 80cc Class.