Karting meet at Palisadoes this Sunday off
Published:Friday | December 25, 2020 | 10:21 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer -
The return of motorsports in Jamaica since the COVID-19 pandemic will be delayed for a bit longer as the proposed Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) meet, which was set for Sunday, has been postponed.
After initially getting the verbal approval from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) to restart racing at the Palisadoes Raceway, JKA board member and meet organiser Andrew Upstone told The Gleaner that the latest request has been rescinded because of the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic on the island.
Ninety-six new cases of the virus were confirmed yesterday, which pushes the total infections to 12,519. Twenty-five new cases have been confirmed in Kingston and St Andrew, bringing those parish numbers to 3,848.
Upstone said that the MOHW had initially approved the hosting of up to 250 persons at the meet, which was to have 20 races across varying classes.
Over 24 drivers, pit crew, and support staff were expected at the event, with races set to take place in the micro-max 50 CC, the mini-max, the junior, and the Super Rotax series.
“Just this week we received information that the Ministry is not giving approval for the hosting of any sporting event for the rest of the year and so we have to hold strain until the new year and try and see if we can start our new season early in the year,” Upstone said.
The JKA said it is hoping that it will be allowed to at least continue to host its workshops, and cater to the further development of the young drivers who have not had any competition for the past nine months, in the new year.
There has been no motorsport event on the island since March of this year, with the pandemic also cancelling Rally Jamaica for the first time in its history.