Sharp cornering! Impressive wins for Zander Williams

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

At five years old he negotiates the sharp curves on the race track, two wheels in the air. This is Zander Williams' first go-kart racing season and already he is showing signs that he will be a force to reckon with in the future.

"Daddy, it felt fast and I knew it (the go-kart) went faster when it hit the curve," the Hopefield Preparatory schoolboy told his father, Neil. This was shortly after parading with the chequered flag in one of the four races he won at last Sunday's go-kart meet, held at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.

The youngster and four other karters shared the spotlight, after dominating their respective classes. His older brother Matthew made a clean sweep in the Rotax Senior Class, winning every event. He easily disposed of Tara Fong Yee and Chad LeaHong.

Fong Yee, who was one of two females to participate in the meet, did not disgrace herself, as she took the fight to the boys.

Fireworks

Attired in a helmet designed in the colours of the national flag, Joshua Sirgany was too much for MarcAnthony Eaton, Zachary Shields and Giovani Hui in the Rotax Mini Max Class. Thomas Issa did likewise in the Rotax Junior Class, beating Gordon McDowell, Tristons Emmons and his younger sibling Elias Issa.

It was the fireworks in the Rotax Masters Class which had the fans screaming at the bumper-to-bumper rivalry among Peter and Sebastian Rae, Sheldon Morgan and Garth Genus. It was Genus who upset the applecart, winning all four races in the class.

"I drove like I never did before, because Peter Rae is not an easy nut to crack and his kart was very fast, so I had to drive like hell. It was very challenging, but the victory was overwhelming," Genus, enjoying the best day of his racing career, said.

Genus was the only member of the NG Racing Camp who participated. There were reports that the outfit had an issue with the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), involving tyres. The other drivers from the camp were notably absent from the meet.

This was confirmed by head of the JKA, Neil Williams, who said the issue was dealt with. Responding to questions on whether the absence of the other karters had an impact on the meet, Williams stressed that things went well.

"We had a good crowd, plus we also signed up a number of kids for the 80 and 50cc classes and the races were exciting," said Williams.

• Full results

Round One Pre-Finals

Baby Kart 50cc1. Zander Williams2. Jordon McDowell3. Mattea Issa

Rotax Mini Max1. Joshua Sirgany2. MarcAnthony Eaton3. Zachary Shields

Rotax Junior1. Tristans Emmons2. Gordon McDowell3. Thomas Issa

Rotax Senior1. Matthew Williams2. Chad LeoHong3. Tara Fong Yee

Rotax Masters1. Garth Genus2. Derrick McDowell3. Peter Rae

Round One Finals

Baby Kart 50cc1. Zander Williams2. Jordan McDowell3. Mattea Issa

Rotax Mini Max1. Joshua Sirgany2. MarcAnthony Eaton3. Zachary Shields

Rotax Junior1. Thomas Issa2. Gordon McDowell3. Elias Issa

Rotax Senior1. Matthew Williams2. Chad LeaHong3. Tara Fong Yee

Rotax Masters1. Garth Genus2. Sheldon Morgan3. Derrick McDowell

Round Two Pre-Finals

Baby Kart 50cc1. Zander Williams2. Jordan McDowell3. Mattea Issa

Rotax MiniMax1. Joshua Sirgany2. MarcAnthony Eaton3. Zachary Shields

Rotax Junior1. Thomas Issa2. Tristans Emmons3. Elias Issa

Rotax Senior1. Matthew Fong Yee2. Tara Fong Yee3. Chad LeaHong

Rotax Masters1. Garth Genus2. Peter Rae3. Sheldon Morgan

Round Two Finals

Baby Karts 50cc1. Zander Williams2. Jordon McDowell3. Mattea Issa

Rotax MiniMax1. Joshua Sirgany2. MarcAnthony Eaton3. Zachary Shields

Rotax Junior1. Thomas Issa2. Tristans Emmons3. Elias Issa

Rotax Senior1. Matthew Williams2. Chad LeaHong3. Tara Fong Yee