Issa cops top prize at JKA awards

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Gripping the Abe Ziadie Memorial Trophy with both hands, 12-year-old Thomas Issa burst into laughter as he held his first major piece of silverware aloft while celebrating at the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) annual awards and presentation ceremony, held on Tuesday night at Chez Marie Restaurant, St Andrew.

The Abe Ziadie Trophy was the crowning prize among at least seven won throughout the 2010 go-kart season, which was won by the very outstanding Campion College schoolboy, as he competed in the Rotax Mini Max Class.

Interestingly, Thomas' success comes 18 years after his father, Christopher, had won his first major motoring event - the Goodyear Rally - in 1992.

International competitors

That year, the Goodyear Rally featured a number of international competitors from the Caribbean region, as well as North America and United Kingdom. Issa (Chris) then teamed up with Kent La Croix to take the title and the following year he partnered with Clive Morin (now deceased) to take the chequered flag again.

"It was not all that easy winning the Driver of the Year title because it was a very competitive season. I had to condition myself, keep focused and prepare for every race meet," said Thomas Issa, who is a big fan of British Formula One driver, Louis Hamilton.

Other top awardees were Matthew Williams, who won the Rotax Junior Championship; the veteran Mike Simmons, who took this year's title in the Super Master Class, and Peter Wong in the Masters Class.

Peter Rae, president of the JKA, praised the sponsors for supporting the sport in 2010, while director Neil Williams described the season as a successful year, one in which their membership grew.

"It was a fantastic year for us, our youngsters did well on the Florida circuit," said Williams. "Come next year, we are planning a major international race meet, which will attract some of the best in the world."

In the meantime, Matthew Williams, Joshua and Justin Sirgany, Jonathan Law and Colin Daley will be taking on their overseas counterparts in Orlando this weekend at one of the regular club events.

"They are preparing themselves for the Florida Winter Tour (FWT) series, which begins next month," said Williams (Neil).