The Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) returned Andrew Jackson as president at the club’s recent annual general meeting held at the offices of Stewart’s Auto Sales on South Camp Road in Kingston.

Conducted by Jamaica Race Drivers Club (JRDC) president Hillary Jardine, the JKA elections saw Peter Rae selected as vice president, Mike Simmons, treasurer, Heather Eaton, secretary; along with David Wong, Neil Williams, Christopher Issa and Garth Genus as directors.

In his inaugural address Jackson outlined his vision for the club which he said included cementing Jamaica on the international map.

“I have the potential to do in motor racing what we have successfully done in athletics, but to be successful, we must start kids racing at an early age, and keep them racing frequently,” said Jackson.

Jackson was president in 2001 to 2005 and again in 2007.

“Over the years we have worked to reduce the age at which kids start racing and we are now at age five, we must now aggressively grow this group, so we can start to identify talent from this early age.”

According to Jackson Jamaican drivers are now regular competitors on the international scene and are very strong contenders. He cited Joshua Sirgany who won the Pan-American Rotax MicroMax class championship as well as the Florida Championship as one prime example.

He added that in 2010 the JKA was very successful in securing the economic foundation of the club through rental of the Palisadoes racetrack.

“In 2011 we will push very hard to increase the revenue of the club and find creative ways to use this income to support the mission of the JKA, to create world class drivers,” Jackson declared. “In 2011 our mission will be going for growth.”

He stated that the JKA’s objectives for this year include plans to host an international race meet in July as well as a bid to host a leg of the Pan American Rotax series in 2012.

Other JKA plans are to increase membership by 25 drivers per year for the next five years and introduce an aggressive driver development program for the five-to-10-year-old age group.

The 2011 go-kart season kicks off on February 6 with race meet one at the Palisadoes International Raceway.