Gunter welcomes Powell’s first Jr Class podium

Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) President Stephen Gunter says that Jamaican driver Alex Powell’s first top-three finish of the 2020 season was well needed after a difficult start to life in the junior class.

Powell finished second in the third round of the Florida Winter Tour series at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida, in his first race in the North American circuit for ATK Racing. Connor Zilisch of the United States won the race from pole position, while his compatriot, Chloe Chambers, came third.

The Mercedes AMG Formula One member Powell is competing in his first season in the Junior ROK class and has experienced a rough start to the season, having not made the top 10 in any of his four races in the European circuit.

TURNAROUND

Gunter says that his recent result has come at a great time, which reinforced his capability.

“This is a turnaround. The start of the season has been very rough for Alex. He has been bumped off the track in every final that he has competed in the junior class,” Gunter told The Gleaner. “There was only one final that he was able to secure a result. This result this weekend is a true indication of his potential and it’s a great confidence booster.”

After qualifying in 11th place last Friday, Powell had top-10 placings in his three heats, which included having to bounce back from a ninth-place finish, where he was assigned a two-position penalty for a driving infraction in the second heat.

He recovered to place third in the pre-grid final, en route to his second place finish in the main final after starting in third place.

Gunter says that he is pleased that Powell is being rewarded after the rough introduction to the junior class level.

“He showed that he still has the speed that he had in the Mini Class. It’s good to see the results starting to come in now,” he said.

Powell’s racing calendar is expected to go through major changes as the Coronavirus has halted the racing schedule in Italy with all races suspended for this month. Gunter says that he has been in contact with Powell’s father, John and new races for him will be determined shortly.

“The make-up races, so to speak, that schedule is being put together. They are responding to the fact that there is no racing in Italy,” he said.