Jamaican karters stand out in Florida

Glenroy Sinclair, Gleaner Writer

Campion College schoolboy Thomas Issa and Colin Daley Jr of St George's College turned in superb performances during the Florida Winter Tour in the United States last weekend.

The young go-karters helped Jamaica finished seventh in the Nations' Cup, immediately behind Mexico. The top five were the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia (in that order). Jamaica outdid the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Italy, France, South Africa, Japan and New Zealand, among other more developed countries.

Naturally, the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) is elated. "Though they have different styles the two are marvellously talented," newly elected president of the JKA, Heather Eaton, told Automotives. Her predecessor, Neil Williams, was also excited, especially with Issa's third-place finish in Orlando last Sunday.

"The future is looking very bright for Thomas, who finished eighth in the World Finals last year. Also, Colin (Daley) did very well to contribute significantly to helped Jamaica finished in the top 10 of the Nations' Cup," Williams said.

According to the reports on the e-kartingnews website, Daley clipped Johnny Flute by less than two-tenths of a second in the preliminary round of the Briggs Senior and Masters Briggs Class. He returned in the finals to beat the Canadian pair of Chad Campbell and William Lalonde. At the podium, Daley collected US$250 for winning the Briggs Senior Class.

The e-kartingnews website further reported that in the Senior MAX final, the last race for the 2014 Florida Winter Tour, Oliver Askew and Kyle Kirkwood shared the front row. But it was the 2009 Senior MAX World Champion Luke Varley (UK) who took the early lead.

For his part, Oliver held on to second place, while Jamaica's Thomas Issa and Dan Roeper of the United States waged a war over third and fourth. At the line it was Askew with the win, Varley beating Issa for the second spot by 0.018 of a second.

"Heads are now being turned, as to how Jamaica's young karters are excelling on the international circuit," said Peter Rae, one of the veterans who coach the youngsters and give them pep talks.

Issa, who returned the island last Monday, is getting ready to renew his local rivalry with Daley, as both will square off in the Rotax Senior Class at the next JKA meet. It will be held on Sunday, April 6 at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.