Mario Mair, winner of the Rotax Masters Championships. - Photos by Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Despite the no-show of some of the past stars who were invited to participate in the Abe Ziadie Memorial Race, the curtain came down on the 2008 go-kart season leaving participants in high spirits.

"It was a very exciting and competitive meet," president of the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club, Errol Anderson, said in his assessment.

Professional attitude

Dane Lawson parades with the chequered flag after winning one of the Rotax International races.

Anderson, who was in attendance, was impressed by the professional attitude displayed by the young karters. He stressed that the lap times kept reducing, a gesture which augurs well for karting and Jamaica overall.

Vice-president of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), David Wong, believes his team did an outstanding job in organising the Abe Ziadie Memorial race event.

"It was well done and things went smoothly," said Wong.

He described the 2008 season as a successful year for the sport. The JKA vice-president further said that things are looking good for next year. According to him, the JKA intends to implement more stringent rules to tighten up things next season.

Rotax Masters

American-based Andrew Simmons who had three third places in the Rotax Masters Class.

Among the karters who did well at last Sunday's meet was Mario Mair, who won the Rotax Masters championship. Racing against the grown men, some old enough to be his father, Mair showed no signs of fear, he took the challenge to them, winning all three races in the class.

"It was a good year for me and I am happy to win the championship," said Mair, who at one stage was involved in a bumper to bumper rivalry with Dr Mark Minott and the American-based Andrew Simmons.

Simmons, who was one of the guest drivers, got three third places. Peter Moodie Jr also had a good day. Likewise Justin Wong, who had two wins, Thomas Issa and Mark Eaton. Dane Lawson with his AMV kart registered another impressive win. Paul Lee won the stellar event, the Abe Ziadie Memorial Race.

The Jackson team, which comprise the twins Sean and Justine, did a good job. The 'little big man' Colin Daley has grown and looks ready to take on the bigger boys next year. Philip Myers was the JKA Driver of the Year.

While most of winners are now celebrating, one of the biggest winners on the list was seven-year-old Jonathan Law, who not only won the 80 cc championship, but scored high academically.

"Karting has helped him tremendously. His school grades have improved significantly, karting has helped him to be more focused," said Sam Law, father of Jonathan.

Young Law is now being prepared to contest the Rotax Minimax Class next year, under the watchful eyes of Peter Moodie Sr.

His lap times are being worked on and, hopefully, next season he should be a more aggressive driver.

Another promising-looking driver is Garth Genius, a rookie out of Ewarton, St Catherine. All being well, come next year he should be among the regular winners.