Fast for father - Young racers make dads proud on special day

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Like many children of local motor-sport celebrities, eight-year-old Tommy Gore is proving to be a chip off the old racing block. He is following the quick path of his father, Doug, who dominated the first leg of the 2013 Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC), held at the Dover Raceway, St Ann, last month.

"Tommy was a big winner at the go-kart track last weekend," president of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), Neil Williams, told Automotives last Thursday. "He has been dominating the Comer 80cc Class," added Williams.

The Hillel Preparatory student is among a new generation of karters who have swollen the membership of the JKA, which augurs well for the future of karting in Jamaica.

"The introduction of Maxxis tyres has made karting much more affordable now. It has also enhanced the competitiveness. In an attempt to grow the sport, on weekends we now have practice sessions at the track for the new kids. We provide the karts," Williams said.

The front-runners for major titles in various classes this year are Ryan Chisholm, Zanda Williams and Mattea Issa (50cc class). Tommy Gore, Mark Moodie and Duncan Stanley are the leaders in the 80cc class

The Rotax Mini Max class is being led by Joshua Sirgany, Justin Sirgany and Mark Anthony Eaton. Thomas Issa, Williams Myers and Jonathan Law are leading the charge in the Rotax Junior Class. And Collin Daley Jr, Fraser McConnell and Matthew Williams are out front in Rotax Senior.

Jonathan Law, who has been missing from the winner's enclosure, upset the applecart last weekend, taking the chequered flag twice in the Rotax Junior Class.

Amid the intense preparation for the local championship, a number of the young karters have been busy on the North American circuit. Issa, Daley and Joshua Sirgany have done exceptionally well at this level.

Based on the age group, Sirgany has the potential to be crowned Jamaica's first world karting champion, but financial constraints may deny him the opportunity.

NEED FOR SPONSORSHIP

"Every time I get a chance to watch him perform, it brings joy to my heart. He has the talent to be the Usain Bolt of go-karting, but without sponsorship, his dream is going to die," said Ricky Sirgany, Joshua's father.

At last weekend's go-kart meet Gore and Sirgany turned in awesome performances, giving their respective dads pre-Father's Day gifts.

"It's Father's Day and we will be celebrating today. He is leading on points in the class and I just hope he can keep it up," the older Gore said, while showering praises on Peter Moodie Sr, who he said has done a fantastic job nurturing Tommy into a promising karter.

Tommy Gore, a third-generation racer, is following the route of drivers such as Kyle Gregg, Timmy Stewart, Thomas Issa, Peter Moodie Jr and David Summerbell, whose fathers once ruled the racing circuit at various stages of their racing careers.

Christopher Issa, one of the stalwarts of motor sport in Jamaica, said he got his "one in a million dollars" Father's Day gift a few weeks ago when his son, Thomas, disposed of the opposition on the North American circuit to qualify for the Rotax World Karting Championship.

"My wish on this Father's Day is for him to give a good account of himself at the world finals," Issa said.