( L - R ) LAW, ISSA

A FLOOD of international drivers have been confirmed for next month's big international race meet, scheduled for July 3-5 at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

"We have already confirmed at least 30 overseas drivers who are coming from the United States, Canada, Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil, Aruba, Dominican Republic and Guatemala," said Neil Williams, vice-president of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA).

The three-day event promises to be one of the most exciting karting meets in recent times, especially with the impending clash in the Rotax Mini-Max Class between Jamaica's promising stars - Jonathan Law, Thomas Issa, Williams Myers and Fraser McConnell - who will be challenging Diego Barkhausen from the Dominican Republic, Pietro Fittipaldi out of Brazil and Chris Morrison of the United States.

A victory for Jamaica in this class would send a strong message on the world stage, as the highly-rated Fittipaldi has been referred to as a driver with the potential of being a successor to Formula One star Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain.

Reports on the Kart Mini of America website are that in his last 28 races Fittipaldi finished on the podium 24 times, with 18 victories, three second and three third places. He won pole position in 10 of 14 qualifying sessions and won the Easykart 60cc Championship. All this happened in 2007.

Genes of a champion

The report further said it was not by coindence that the 13-year-old Fittipaldi is so outstanding, as he has the genes of a champion which he inherited from his grandfather, Emerson Fittipaldi, who was two-time world champion of Formula One, world champion of Indy Car and two-time Indy 500 winner.

In spite of these accolades and Fittipaldi's vast international experience, the Jamaicans believe they can pull it off on race day.

"We know of Fittipaldi but Jonathan (Law) has been doing some good times and we believe he can do it," said Jonathan's dad, Sammy Law.

Peter Rae, the coach of Issa and McConnell, believes his charges are ready for the big occasion.

"Thomas recently had a podium finish at the Homestead track in Miami and we are looking forward to another podium finish at next month's meet. We are also expecting good things from McConnell, whose sponsors got him a brand new engine," said Rae.

Among the other foreigners confirmed are:

80cc Class) - Enzo Fittipaldi (Brazil), Ian Rodriquez (Guatemala), Nicholas Maden (Trinidad) and Zane and Joseph Maloney (Barbados).

Rotax Junior Class - Jesus Rios (Canada), Mark Kinch (Barbados). Senior; Jonathan Arenas, Luke St. John (Barbados), David Evelyn (Barbados), Carlos Duene (United States) and Thomas Siva (United States).

Masters - David Knoll (United States), Fyz Maden (Trinidad), Allan Kinch (Barbados), Robert Kerr (United States).

Ground transportation for the drivers will be provided by Avis Rent-A Car.