A Jamaican go-kart team of seven drivers in three classes will, this weekend, do battle at the Miller Motorsports Park, in the Rotax US Grand Nationals.

This race meet will see the best of the US karters battle for position to race at the Rotax World finals to be held in November in the United Arab Emirates.

“We will compete in the Rotax Micromax with young driver Justin Sirgany; Rotax Minimax with drivers, Thomas Issa, Joshua Sirgany, Jonathan Law, and Fraser McConnel, and in Rotax Junior, with Colin Daley and William Myers,” said Andrew Jackson, president of the Jamaica Go-Kart Association.

“In 2005 at Jamaica’s first entry to the US Grand Nationals, we went there as underdogs, but made our mark with two drivers finishing in the top 15 of over 60 drivers in their respective classes and finishing a first and second place in two separate races,” Jackson added.

He said that this time around Jamaica enters the meet as favourites. “With more experience and several podium positions, in major US competitions, we now have a very good chance of winning in all three classes that we compete.”

According to Jackson, the local drivers have had experience in the highly competitive Florida Winter Tour as well as several race meets in Florida and Jamaica.

“Justin Sirgany in the MicroMax class, has had several Podium finishes and a few first places, said Jackson. “Joshua Sirgany, who moved up to the MiniMax class, and Thomas Issa will be favourites to win the MiniMax class. They will be complemented by the ever-improving Jonathan Law, and Fraser McConnel, Colin Daley and William Myers are expected to be up front in the Rotax Junior class.”

The Rotax Junior class will be competing for spots on the US team to the World Finals in November in the United Arab Emirates.

The event will be streamed live on the Kart Racing Network www.kartracingnetwork.com.