J'can karters ready for world champs

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Preparations have been completed and it is time for the pair of Jamaican drivers to execute their strategy at the World Karting Championship, which gets underway in New Orleans, United States, on Wednesday.

Thomas Issa departed the island yesterday and is expected to be registered for the event today, while 11 year-old Justin Sirgany, a student of St Andrew Preparatory, leaves on Tuesday.

"We are hoping for at least a podium finish. Justin's preparation has been good. Just last summer, he qualified and competed at the US Grand National. He has proven to be very competitive," Justin's father, Steve, told Automotives.

Justin, who is also preparing for the 2014 GSAT exam, has developed a knack for upsetting the apple cart. He takes to the track in the Rotax Mini Max Class later this week.

"This is sort of a new experience for Justin, but he is a good driver, and we expect him to do well. We know he has the skill," commented Neil Williams, president of the Jamaica Karting Association.

Weighing in on Issa's chances, Williams stressed that this is the best he has ever been prepared. "Last year, he made some tactical errors at the world finals in Portugal. That has been corrected. He is fully prepared, in top form, and is expected to do extremely well," said Williams.

Last Sunday, former world go-kart champion, Ben Cooper, spent the day with Issa, giving him a pep talk and pointers about racing strategies. "His preparation was good," said Thomas' father, Christopher Issa, a retired race driver.

Sirgany and Issa will be among some 288 drivers from 67 countries, who will be battling for supremacy in four classes.