Sirgany takes go-kart titles
Published:Sunday | November 25, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Case Coordinator
Despite tense moments, 12-year-old Joshua Sirgany entered the annals of go-karting history as one of the youngest karters to have won the country's Driver of the Year title and the Abe Ziadie Memorial Trophy.
His achievement came last weekend during the climax of the Jamaica Karting Association's final race meet for 2012, held at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.
"I was confident throughout the year, but got nervous moments before the start of the final Rotax Mini Max event of the year. This was because I knew what will happen if I win or lose," said the pint-sized Hillel Academy student.
Knowing he could afford to make a mistake, the youngster came into the meet holding a slim lead over his much older rival, Peter Moodie Jr. Though competing in separate classes, both were hunting vital points to enhance their chances of winning the top title.
"It is a good feeling winning this title, but I was very cautious coming into this grand finale race meet," said Sirgany, who finished on 357.5 points, five ahead of Moodie.
Apart from winning the stellar trophy he also won the Rotax Mini Max title, a class which he dominated consistently throughout the year.
CONSISTENT ACHIEVER
"He won 16 consecutive races throughout the series this year and qualified on pole every race meet. He also posted the fastest lap time in the class at every race meet," said Ricky Sirgany, Joshua's father.
The younger Sirgany, who is aspiring to become an engineer and Formula One driver, has already established himself on the North American circuit as one of the top Rotax Mini Max competitors.
He got hooked on the sport while watching older sister, Sabrina, competing. Soon after he got behind the wheel and, within a year, demonstrated he has the potential to be a world beater.
He has won many races on the Florida circuit, beating some of the big names in his age group. Sirgany's local driving coach is Peter Rae, and he drives a top-flight CRG Big AL Kart, powered by A&M Engines.