Young karters thrill in US

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Jamaica's young go karters turned in a stunning performance at last weekend's monthly race meet in Homestead, Florida.

"It was an awesome performance. It was an excellent meet for us," said Ricky Sirgany, one of several parents who accompanied the young Jamaican contingent on the trip.Thomas Issa and Collin Daley Jr were easily the stars of the meet.

The 13-year-old Issa, who made a clean sweep of the Mini Max events during last month's local race meet at the Palisadoes International Raceway on October 31, took the challenge to the his overseas counterparts and was successful.

"He won convincingly," said Sammy Law, another parent who accompanied the team.Reports are the Campion College schoolboy, driving a Spanish Court Hotel-sponsored kart, took the chequered flag on Saturday in the Mini Max Class, then repeat his performance the following day.He was not alone as the Red Bull-sponsored athlete, Collin Daley Jr, also took the chequered flag in his events.

Daley, one of Jamaica's bright prospects, won the Rotax Junior Class event on Saturday and Sunday, to shrug off a dry spell he had been having on the Florida circuit.The biggest surprise came in the Micro Class in which nine-year-old Justin Sirgany stunned the crowd. Son of former circuit-racing driver Steve Sirgany, Justin turned in an improved performance to win the event on Saturday and returned on Sunday to finish second.His cousin Joshua, who competed in the Mini Max Class, gave a good account of himself, so too Jonathan Law, Matthew Williams, Fraser McConnell and William Myers."They all finished in the top 10," said Sammy Law.In the meantime, the 2010 Jamaica Karting Association season will climax next Sunday at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston, with the running of the Abe Ziadie Memorial event.