Last Post, last meet - Go-karters honour Dayne Lawson at Palisadoes

Immediately after they completed a respectful slow lap around the 1.2-kilometre long Palisadoes International Raceway last Sunday, emotional members of the go-kart fraternity stood with helmets in hand like weary soldiers returning from battle, listening to trumpeter Vivien Scott play the Last Post.

The touching instrumental not only sent shivers down spines, but brought back painful memories of their colleague, friend and fellow karter, Dayne Lawson, who they paid homage to at the final meet of the year.

The Last Post is played at Commonwealth military funerals and ceremonies, commemorating those who have been killed in war. In the case of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), it was an occasion to close the racing chapter in the life of Lawson, who, along with his best friend, perished in a motor vehicle accident on Trafalgar Road, St Andrew, earlier this year.

Lawson, who made his debut as a 10-year-old at the track, was rated among the rising stars of the sport.

Champions decided

The meet was a fitting end to the 2011 JKA season. Dubbed the Abe Ziadie Memorial event, last Sunday's race meet was also used as a special occasion to salute the 2011 champions of the respective classes.

The spills and thrills had the fans well entertained. In one incident, the JKA's president, Peter Rae, narrowly escaped serious injury when Garth Genus' kart flipped and landed on Rae's left knee.

The rivalry in the Mini Max Class lived up expectations with keen battles among Jonathan Law, cousins Joshua Sirgany and Justin Sirgany, Mark Anthony Eaton and newcomer Zachry Shields. Matthew Williams, Thomas Issa, Fraser McConnell, Collin Daley Jr and William Myers all had fun in the Junior Class, with Daley coming out the 2011 champion.

Fraser, who is new to the class, upset the applecart by taking the chequered flag in the afternoon's feature, the Abe Ziadie Memorial.

"I am feeling very good. I wanted to win this race, probably more than everybody else," said McConnell, who is now seeking a sponsor  to enhance his chances of competing on the Florida circuit next year.
Apart from winning the JKA's Driver of the Year title, Peter Moodie Jr also wrapped up things in the Masters Class.

"Though the 2011 season ended on a high note, it was a challenging year for us but, despite the challenges, we were able to put on an international racemeet," commented Neil Williams, a JKA director.

Results of 2011 JKA Championship

Rotax Mini Max Class

1. Jonathan Law

2. Joshua Sirgany

3. Thomas Issa


Rotax Junior Class

1. Collin Daly Jr

2. William Myers

3. Matthew Williams


Rotax Masters

1. Peter Moodie Jr

2. Dr. Mark Minott

3. Garth Genus