Issa qualifies for World Champs

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Go-kart meet on at Palisadoes today

Following on the heels of Jamaica's success at the recently concluded Olympic games in London, England, Campion College schoolboy Thomas Issa is gearing up to show the world Jamaica's abundance of talent in motorsports.

The 14-year-old Rotax Junior, go-kart driver turned in a classy performance at the recently held US Grand National Finals to qualify for the World Karting Championship in Portugal in November.

"His performance was unbelievable. In the pre-final he came from 30th position and drove his heart out to finish seventh. Then in the final he was seventh on the grid and he drove a fantastic race to finish in second place. Only the first three qualify for the world championship," said Ricky Sirgany, who was at track side watching the race.

Challenging conditions

Sirgany, a member of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), said Issa and other Jamaicans who competed at the US Grand National Finals did so under challenging conditions. "They had to race in heavy rains," said Sirgany.

Because of Jamaica's karting relationship with the United States, Issa will be part of the Americas' team when he competes at the World Karting Championship.

According to ekartingnews.com, on reaching the halfway mark of the 26-lap final, Issa had already knifed his way up to second place, a position he maintained until he crossed the finishing line

"He is now the second Jamaican to ever qualify for the World Karting Championship. The first was Timothy Stewart who did it in 2006," said Neil Williams, president of the Jamaica Karting Association.

Issa, who was recently crowned the South Florida Spring Rotax Jnr Champion, will be in action today as the JKA's championship continues at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston. Collin Daley, Jonathan Law and the Sirgany cousins Justin and Joshua will also be in action.

"The battles will continue as the karters try to secure vital championship points," said Peter Rae.

Other Jamaicans who did well at the US Grand National Finals were Justin Sirgany, who finished second in the Rotax Micro Max Class. Daley and William Myers also competed, but finished out of the top five in their respective classes.