Dane Lawson

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

IMMEDIATELY AFTER alighting from his go-kart, a jubilant Dane Lawson hugged and celebrated with his father Douglas. Finally, he had shrugged off the lean spell, winning his first race in five months.

"I felt overjoyed and proud of myself. I felt this way because of how I won the race," the 19-year-old go-karter told Automotives on Friday.

Competing in the Rotax International Class, the former Jamaica College schoolboy started at the back of the pack, then overtook his rivals one by one to register a sweet victory at the Palisadoes International Raceway last Sunday.

"We finally found a formula for the kart, and from now on it's going to be a different driving style for me," said Lawson.

happy woman

Although she was not at the track on Sunday to celebrate with him, Lawson's mother, Joan Shervington, was a happy woman."I was filled with pride. I was happy for him because he is very determined," said Shervington, who is an executive member of the Jamaica Karting Association.

Everybody was happy for Lawson because of his close shave with death on March 13 of this year, when he was in a serious motor vehicle accident. His car was crushed. His father said he could not believe that his son is still alive, based on the wreckage he saw.

According to Lawson's driving coach, Peter Rae, the pep talk he gave him on race day was one thing, but the youngster stuck to the strategised plan.

aggressively contested

Apart from a few spin-outs, the races were aggressively contested. Seven-year-old Mark Anthony Eaton was among the top performers who stole the spotlight. Eaton, who customarily races in the 50 cc Baby Class, went up in class and contested the 80 cc events.

After a mishap in the 50 cc Class, Eaton won one of the three races in that class, then went on to win two of the three races in the 80 cc Class. He was denied a three-timer in the 80 cc Class, by Jonathan Law, who displayed a stout-hearted performance.

Law's win was the second on the card for sponsors New Life Pharmacy, who are also responsible for Dane Lawson. Other top performers were Senna Summerbell, Colin Daley, Justine Jackson, Matthew Williams and Philip Myers. Williams, in particular, has demonstrated that he is improving again.