Issa impresses

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

With his sights on a podium finish at the Rotax Pan American Grand National Finals scheduled for September, Jamaica's Thomas Issa, served a strong warning last weekend that he will be a serious contender when the starter waves his flag.

The 14-year-old Campion College schoolboy registered two convincing wins at the difficult Homestead Karting Complex, Florida, United States (US), where 168 participants from 12 countries turned out to qualify for the major upcoming championship.

In Saturday's action, Issa gaved an improved performance in the Mini Max Finals, turning the tables on the recently crowned Florida Winter Tour Champion, Austin Versteeg and Kyle Kirkwood of the US, into third and second place, respectively.

Another Jamaican finish

Also on that day, another Jamaican, Collin Daley Jr, finished third behind the Canadian pair of Jesse Lazare (first) and Alex Guanette (second), in the Roof Utah, USA, in the Rotax Junior Class.

According to a report on ekartingnews.com, in the Mini Max Finals on Sunday, Issa did not only claim the pole position in the qualifying session, but quickly took the lead and drew away from his fellow competitors. Beating Versteeg and Kirkwood again.

"Issa never looked back, taking the checquers by nearly a second," the report read.

"His performance was exceptional. He blew them away. This goes to show that Jamaica has the skill and talent to beat them," commented Neil Williams, one of the directors of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA).

Jamaica's Justin Sirgany, who medalled at the previous FWT meet, finished third in the Micro Max Finals on Sunday.