Go-Karts (Karting): Juniors shine at Palisadoes

A national award awaits a special individual. I don’t know the individual’s name just yet, but, as soon as I do I will inform my friend Bruce, the driver, to get the wheels in motion so the man /woman may be honored in the appropriate setting.

This person of whom I write, conceptualized the Palisadoes International Raceway. A better location could not be chosen for a race track. The track is next to the waterfront, stimulating your appreciation of nature with a magnificent view of Kingston Harbour and if that wasn’t enough you can soak in the thrill of flight, admiring the massive metal birds (aeroplanes) as they soar into the afternoon skies from the Norman Manley International airport.

On Sunday, I remembered that the karters would be at the raceway warming up for championships scheduled for Florida and so I decided to stop by. The Palisadoes Raceway is paradise to Jamaican karters and at what is a true family event, in terms of participation, the nation’s best drivers, past or present, may be seen involved in the activities at one level or the other.

Peter Moodie Snr needs no introduction and his team, NG Racing, is responsible for the maintenance of a lot of the karts. What I found intriguing however, was his hands on approach. He was no supervisor. He kept busy, checking tyre pressure, warming up the kart and tightening nuts/bolts, in addition to mentoring young Colin Daley Jr.

Matthew Williams

I watched 3 races. The third was an amalgamated race, involving Juniors, Masters and Super Masters. The two juniors, Colin Daley Jr and Matthew Williams started a few seconds before the other two classes. The pace of the juniors in the 125cc karts was rabid as they traded positions. With only a few laps under their belt they were picking off the back markers in the Masters class!

I felt sorry for the miniature slicks (tyres) on the karts. They earned their purchase cost, squealing and screeching, burdened by a plethora of direction changes as the karts whizzed from corner to corner. The Masters did their best to hold their own, but I was lost in the battle between the two juniors. Their duel went to the wire (finish line), with Matthew timing his overtaking maneuver perfectly. On the start-finish straight, heading towards the checkered flag with a few meters to go, Matthew moved from behind Colin’s kart, drew next to him and passed him, all in one move, winning the race and beating Colin by .003 seconds! Do you want a closer finish?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer