File
Mark Anthony Eaton.

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Gone are the days when the driver with the state-of-the-art or most expensive engines dominated go-kart races. Effective today, the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) has implemented stringent measures to monitor the 50 cc championship which gets under way this morning at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

The qualifying session for grid position begins at 8:00 a.m., with the first race scheduled to get under way at about noon. All eyes will be focused on the 50 cc Class, which is designed for the Baby Class karters, ages 5-8 years old.

"Everybody will have the same engine, it will be a level playing field and everything will now depend on the karters' driving skill," says Neal Williams, president of the JKA.

Reports are that in the past, persons would spend hefty sums purchasing fast engines to ensure that their karters competing in this class won.

"What we have done is to purchase 15 of these (50 cc) engines. We will service the engines and provide the competitors with petrol, but they will not get the engines until the morning of the race meet," the JKA president discloses.

Williams stresses that the focus is for parents to stop spending large sums to purchase fast engines and, instead, spend more time in developing their children's driving skill.

Unanimous decision

Automotives understands the JKA's decision was unanimously arrived at during a JKA drivers' meeting held in Kingston last Wednesday.

Former Caribbean champion driver David Summerbell is fully supporting the JKA's decision. His daughter, Samantha, and son, Senna, race at the track.

"I am really looking forward to it, I believe it is a fair move," comments Summerbell.

Andrew Jackson of Jetcon racing team also welcomes the decision and believes it is an excellent move.

"It will really bring out the drivers' potential because the JKA is on a path of developing world-class drivers and not world-class engines," remarks Peter Rae of the Rae racing team.

"I agreed, but partially. My only concern about this is the weight difference between the competitors," says Sam Law of New Life Pharmacy, whose son also races in this class.

Apart from the anticipated excitement in the 50 cc Class between Mark Anthony Eaton, Jonathan Law and Zacre Davidson, a showdown is expected in the Rotary Junior Class involving Phillip Myers and Matthew Williams.

Thomas Issa and Colin Daley should renew their rivalry in the Mini-Max Class, while Joel Jackson and André Anderson are expected to fight to the finish in the Rotax Senior Class.

Peter Rae and Mario Mair will battle for supremacy in the Rotax Masters' Class.