Pole position - Jamaica looks set to host international meet

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Pending approval of the International Karting Federation (IFK), Jamaica has been tentatively named as the venue for the 2012 Pan American Rotax Max Challenge Go-Kart Championship finals for a date yet to be decided.

The PanAm Rotax Max Challenge draws karters from North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, and this would be the first time the event is held outside the Americas.

"There are still some logistic issues to be worked out. But we, the ownership group, has already made a decision that Jamaica should be the venue. I am hoping that the IFK will give its approval by October this year," said Bill Wright, promoter of Formula Kart Production of the United States, which has exclusive rights to the Florida Winter Tour series.

Wright was recently appointed promoter/organiser for this year's Rotax Pan American Challenge Finals, by the MAXSpeed Group, the US distributor of Rotax kart products.

"I don't see any reason as to why the IFK would not give its approval," said Wright. He noted that one of the main reasons Jamaica should be selected as the venue was because to the high quality of its track at the Palisadoes International Raceway, which meets international standards.

The meet could bring as many as 400 international karters to the island.

"There will be a lot of international karters flying into Jamaica for the weekend meet and they will be looking forward to enjoying the island's attractions and resorts," said Wright, who believes the Jamaican economy would be positively impacted from the staging.

Incidentally, international and local karters seeking to qualify for this year's Pan American Rotax Max Challenge Go-Kart finals in September may participate in the Jamaica Karting Association's (JKA) international meet set for August 19 to 21 at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

Consistent performance

Apart from the high-quality track at the Palisadoes International Raceway, one of JKA's directors, Neil Williams, believes the consistent performances by the young Jamaican karters on the North American circuit could have been one of the main reasons why Jamaica is being considered as the venue for the 2012 event.

At the recent US Grand National Finals, Williams said although the Jamaican karters did not get a podium finish, "the nation was not disgraced".

A report posted on www.ekartingnews.com said Mini Max driver Thomas Issa overcame his mechanical troubles in the heats and finished fifth in the finals, making him Jamaica's best performer. Teammate Jonathan Law came in16th in the same event.

The report further stated that Philip Varner of the US and Jamaica's Justin Sirgany filled out the front row to begin the 10-lap pre-final in the Micro category. However, Sirgany crashed and did not make the finals. Collin Daley Jr, who competed in the Rotax Junior Class, finished in the top 10.