True to the motto of his alma mater, 'The Brave May Fall But Never Yield', Noel 'Kawesi' Golding Jr never gives up. Each time he gets behind the wheel of his yellow 'banana' Honda Civic at the Dover Raceway, he vows to do battle down to the wire.
The 34 -ear-old Kingston College old boy is among a number of circuit racers preparing for the Labour Day race meet at the St Ann race track.
"No matter where I am in the race, I never say never until the race is over," said Golding Jr, who is gearing up for another round of intense rivalry with Andre Anderson in the Modified Production 3 Class.
Golding Jr has been rated as a tough contender, but like many other drivers, lack of sponsorship and limited resources have been affecting his camp. "For each race meet, it costs us at least $500,000 to get the car ready," said Golding Jr, who is hoping to have a sponsor some day.
After watching his father, Noel Golding Sr, compete in a number of motorsport events, the younger Golding fell in love with racing and later blossomed into a driver with great potential. The older Golding, popularly known as 'Lovie', made his name while competing on the racing circuit at Lakes Pen, St Catherine, and Vernamfield, Clarendon.
After some pep talks from his father, Golding Jr later got involved in the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) sprint events and drag racing before settling in at Dover, where he has won over two dozen races.
His colleagues call Golding Jr 'Kawesi', his actual middle name. "It is an African name that means strength," said Golding Jr.
The operator of a garage and wrecking service, Golding Jr says once his car is well prepared, then he will be ready for the opposition at Dover on Labour Day.