Issa eyes kart title

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

After his stout-hearted performance in Florida two weeks ago, Thomas Issa looks poised to walk away with the 2010 Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) Driver of the Year title. He is expected to line up today for the grand finale race meet at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

The event - the Abe Ziadie Memorial race meet - is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Some thrilling finishes are expected, especially in the Rotax Junior Class, where the battle for supremacy between Matthew Williams and Collin Daley Jr should heat up.

The Abe Ziadie Award usually goes to the most outstanding driver of the season. Last year, the title went to 17-year-old Mario Mair, who is now studying in the United States.

"Thomas (Issa) is way out, leading by 30 points. All he needs to do is just compete and finish the races," said Neil Williams, one of the JKA directors.

Apart from the driver of the year title, Issa is looking forward to cement his first lien on the Rotax Mini Max title, a class which he is leading on points. In second place is Fraser McConnell, followed by the improving Jonathan Law.

With at least five-and-a-half points separating the two front runners in the Rotax Junior Class, a big showdown is expected between long-time rivals Matthew Williams and Collin Daley Jr Williams leads the class on 92.5 points.

In the meantime, the veteran, Mike Simmons, who is one of the longest competing go kart drivers in the island, has amassed enough points to have one hand on the Super Masters title so far. He is ahead, while Dr Derrick McDowell is in second place.

"I use to dominate the Heavy Class in my younger days, but this is first time that I will be winning the Super Masters Class," a smiling Simmons said.

Dr Mark Minott who had a minor mishap earlier in the year, lost the opportunity to land his first championship title in the Masters Class, which is now dominated by Peter Wong.