THE Jamaica Karting Association’s (JKA) 2016 season came to a fine close with the Abe Zaidie Memorial meet on Sunday at the Palisadoes International Raceway in Kingston.

“It has been a very positive season for us and ended on a high note, given the quality of racing we saw at the final event,” JKA president, David Summerbell Jr, told Jamaica Observer’s Auto magazine.

Summerbell said the year has been one of growth on the base of the previous administration and the support of the current executive and parents.

“We’ve seen the sport grow in terms of competitors, spectators and sponsors such as Total and others,” he said.

The JKA, under his administration, has made several infrastructure upgrades to the racing facility, and expanded the racing exposure available to the children.

“We’ve implemented night racing and running the circuit in reverse in order to give the competitors as much racing experience as possible,” he explained.

The only thing on Summerbell’s wish list is the resumption of the Comer50 class.

“That is the only area we were not able to complete for 2016, but we’re looking to get it back up for 2017, as it’s a very important entry point into the sport,” he added.

On the track, it was Shane Chisholm who was a double winner in Comer80. Ryan Lue also did the double in Mini Max to secure his class title and retain his championship. In Rotax Junior, Sirgany’s Joshua and Justin split a race final win each, while Matthew Williams and Timothy Stewart did the same in Rotax Senior. David Summerbell secured the lone Super Rotax race final.

­– Rory Daley