Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Co-ordinator

Immediately after he crossed the finish line last Sunday, Najee Scott's parents erupted in loud cheers then rushed to the paddock area, where they hugged and congratulated him. It was Scott's first taste of victory at the Rotax Senior Class, go-kart championship, held at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

"I was so elated. I screamed, then ran to him, then hugged and told him how much I loved him," said Scott's mother, Kensha Uter, who watched her 16-year-old son take the chequered flag and complete a victory lap.

Scott's stepfather Anthony Burke, who introduced Najee to go-kart racing three years ago, was equally proud. "The first time he saw a go-kart he fell in love with it," said Burke, a former drag racer.

A student of Clan Carthy High, Scott represents his school in hockey and loves swimming, but above all prefers motorsports. His love for motor vehicles is evident in the interest he shows at the garage his stepfather and mother operate in the Top Range community off Mountain View Avenue, St Andrew.

HOOKED ON RACING

According to Uter, Guy Eaton and Peter Moodie Sr are Najee's mentors.

"When I was much younger I used to watch motor racing on television, including the events at the Dover Raceway. Then in summer of 2009, I went to a summer camp at the Palisadoes Raceway. That was where I got hooked to the sport," Najee told Automotive.

Other stars of the recently held go-kart race meet were Joshua Sirgany, Thomas Gore, Peter Moodie Jr and Thomas Issa. Sirgany, who has a commanding lead in the Mini Max Class points standing, looks poised to become one of the youngest karters to win the Abe Ziadie Memorial Trophy.

Gore, Mark Moodie and Zanda Williams are in a close battle for the Baby Class title, while Moodie appears a runaway winner in the Rotax Masters Class. Issa is on top of the tables in the Rotax Junior Class, with Matthew Williams ahead in the Rotax Senior Class.