History-making Misir, a beacon for women in motorsports – McConnell, Gore

Western Bureau:

LEADING MOTORSPORTS drivers Fraser McConnell and Doug Gore are hoping Jamaica’s and Sara Misir’s recent historic achievement on the race track will not only inspire more young girls to take part in motorsport, but drive the return of the sport locally.

A few weeks ago, Misir became the first woman from the Caribbean to make it to the final of a Formula One qualification competition in the United Kingdom. She was counted among the final 50 from an initial cohort of almost 10,000.

Misir, like other motorsports drivers, has been forced to do all their racing overseas, as the industry in Jamaica came to a halt in March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic first began to affect the country.

Gore said the achievements of Frazer McConnell last year, and now Misir, show the importance of getting motorsports back on track locally to continue the development of the next generation of drivers.

“Motorsports here in Jamaica has stopped, literally, and I hope that Government can give us some avenue to get things going again. One of the great things that happened last week was that we had Babsy [Olivia] Grange, [minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport], come by Dover and watch Sara on the track. She saw the facility first-hand, the entire 17 acres of land that can facilitate the social distancing,” said Gore, who added that young drivers in the Caribbean were doing well.

YOUNG DRIVERS

“One of the things we were discussing last week is how many young drivers in the Caribbean are doing well. Drivers like 18-year-old Zane Maloney. Even Tommy, my son, is going to be racing overseas very soon. We definitely need them to go and showcase that we in the Caribbean, and especially Jamaica, have what it takes to go overseas and do well,” he added.

McConnell, who last year won a historic first top-level rallycross in the RallyX Nordic season opener at Nysum in Denmark, expressed delight in the achievement of Misir.

“It is great to see what she is doing now and accomplishing to show that motorsports is not just a guy thing. For another Jamaican to be competing on the international stage is great to see. I’m very proud of her and hope she continues to keep [her] focus and get it done, because I know she can,” said McConnell.

“No limits, I like the fact that she is a great competitor. I hope it will inspire other females to get into the sport, because whether it be Jamaican guys or girls, it’s always great to see,” he added.

Gore, who said he has been watching Sara from go-karting days as a little girl, is happy for the success she has had and is hoping she can go on to win the overall competition.

“I am so happy for her. I have known Sara for a long time, and seeing her growing up to be where she is at now. I hope she continues to get better and better. I know she had some more testing to do in Sweden, after tests last weekend at Dover. She is not just taking what she has gotten so far; she actually wants to go ahead and win this whole thing,” Gore said.

“Her father had contacted me some time ago and asked what I thought about the whole thing [competing overseas], and I thought it would be a fantastic experience for her. The fact that she has gone and done so well shows how well we, as Jamaicans, can do in motorsports,” he added.

He continued: “We have had, over the years, one and two female stars that have risen through the ranks, and Sara is the newest one. I hope that it continues, as she will be an inspiration to other young girls. Also, for parents to see that whether it’s a boy or girl, give them the opportunity from early and see where it goes.”

sports@gleanerjm.com