Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
LEFT: Juan Valderama of the United States winning the Easy Kart section.
RIGHT: Matthew Mair, a Miami-based Jamaican, leads in the ICC Shifter Class at the Caribbean Karting Carnival last Sunday.

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Weaving his way through the chicane, Matthew Mair gave his countrymen a lesson in go-kart racing at last weekend's international race meet, held at the Palisadoes Raceway in Kingston.

The 15-year-old was one of two Miami-based Jamaicans who stunned the crowd with superb driving skill. Mair, who recently won the Florida Winter Tour Shifter Class Championship in the United States, dominated the category here, winning at least four events. In one of the races, the teenager started at back of the pack, then bolted to the front to take the chequered flag.

He was competing against the best crop of karters from Barbados, Trinidad and the United States. Last weekend's meet was dubbed the Caribbean Karting Carnival. Despite the spills and thrills, it was non-stop excitement over the two days.

Biggest surprise

The other Miami-based Jamaican, Robert Kerr, was the probably the biggest surprise of the meet. With the absence of Peter Rae, who usually dominate the Rotax Masters Class, Kerr gave them a shocker. Prior to the event, not much was known about him.

Born in Jamaica, he migrated at age seven. He is the son of former circuit-racing driver, David Kerr, of Dover fame.

"He surprised me, I did not expect that type of performance from him," his father commented.

Another driver who upset the apple cart was six-year-old Justin Sirgany, a student of St Andrew Preparatory. He stamped his authority on the 50cc Baby Class, winning four of six races on the weekend.

Humble youngster

"He is a humble youngster who listens well. I spent some time showing him how to overtake, where and when," his dad, Steve Sirgany, explained.

The elder Sirgany is a former circuit-racing driver, who in his prime dominated his class at Dover. Although the Americans Jordon Perry and Dore Choponic demonstrated that they were from the top drawer, Jamaica's Colin Daley Jr took them on and registered the most wins in the Rotax Mini-Max Class.

Seven-year-old Jonathan Law confirmed that he, like Daley Jr, was well prepared by the veteran, Peter Moodie Sr. The stout-hearted Law, a Grace Christian Academy student, had a grand time in the Rotax Mini-Max Class, winning at least three races. His driving style and cool attitude have suggested that he is one for the future.

Although the Jamaicans put on a good show, the Americans, namely, Juan Valderama, Frederick Montoya and Juan Arenas, entertained the crowd with deft driving in the Easy Kart Class.

Other overseas-based Jamaicans who took part in the meet were Andrew Simmons, Timothy Stewart, Brian Fong Yee and Kyle Gregg.

The Jacksons - Joel, Sean and Justine - were at their best, especially Joel, who made his presence felt in the Rotax International events. In the Rotax Junior Class, Chad Lee Hong, Matthew Williams, Samantha Summerbell and Phillip Myers all gave good performances.

"It was really a successful meet. Right now many of the foreigners have given a commitment that they will be returning next year with additional members," said Neil Williams, president of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA).

In the meantime, president of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club, Errol Anderson, has described the event as an ambitious project, particularly because of the tight planning constraints.

"I congratulate the JKA for putting on such a fantastic meet, I think this is something that will grow," said Anderson.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com

Results of July 4-6 International Go-Kart Meet, top three finishers

SUNDAY

Baby Karts

Kart #	Name	Time
39	Justin Sirgany	55:203
18	Mark Anthony Eaton	55.508
82	Travis Worton	55.611

Baby Kart - 80cc

Kart#	Name	Time
16	Zacre Davidson	67.50
70	Joshua Sirgany	67.80
58	Johnathan Law	67.80

Yamaha

Kart#	Name	Time
24	David Everlyn	58.491
71	Allan Kinch	60.20
42	Matthew Noel	60.40

Easy Kart

Kart #	Name	Time
4 J	Joffrey Amaya	55.981
258	Fredrick Montoya	56.115
8	Juan Valderama	56.129

Baby Kart - 50cc

Pos	Kart #	Name	Points
1	18	Mark Anthony Eaton	34
2	39	Justin Sirgany	33
3	82	Travis Worton	32

Baby Karts - 80cc

Kart #	Name	Point
58	Johnathan Law	34
99	Nicolas Barnes	33
16	Zacre Davidson	32

Yamaha - Easy Kart

Kart#	Name	Points
42	Matthew Noel	34
71	Allan Kinch	33
4	Mark Kinch	32

Easy Kart

Kart#	Name	Points
8	Juan Valderama	34
69	Juan Arenas	33

258	Fredrick Montoya	32

Baby Kart - 50cc

Kart #	Name	Point
39	Justin Sirgany	55
82	Travis Worton	52
56	Adam Minot	50