JAMAICA’S rallycross driving sensation Fraser McConnell was showered with praise by his sponsors and well-wishers following his outstanding season in the Nitrocross Series, during his welcome home celebrations which took place on Saturday at his residence in Linstead, St Catherine.

McConnell, 25, achieved another podium finish as he concluded the 2023-2024 Nitrocoss Series season in second place with 454 points, improving on his third-place finish in the previous season. The championship was won by Swedish driver Robin Larsson who secured his second-consecutive title with 502 points. McConnell’s main sponsors, the Proven Group, organised last Saturday’s event and Christopher Williams, co-founder of Proven, expressed his company’s delight in partnering with McConnell, noting his commitment and dedication to his craft.

“I think that the sponsorship has turned out to be very good for us,” said Williams. “It aligns well with us in that it is very innovative, it is very new, and it is very exciting — and that aligns beautifully with the Proven brand. Secondly, his charisma and how that helps to explode his popularity, and of course we have been able to ride along with that.”

McConnell expressed gratitude for the support from his sponsors and supporters, while outlining his plans for the upcoming season.

“It was a fantastic season because we finished the season in second [place] overall, with three wins and five podium finishes in a 10-race season … the only time we never did well is when we had mechanical failures, which were out of our control,” McConnell said. “We are here at the Proven event celebrating all of these accomplishments, and just showcasing what we did for Jamaica and all the sponsors involved, and giving an insight as to what we want to achieve for next year, and so I am just glad to have this [opportunity],” he said.

McConnell highlighted the importance of support in relation to his success as he said it plays a pivotal role in his performance and the existence of Team Fraz.

“Without the support I would not be able to go out there and compete — because without the support there would be no show and there would be no team Fraz — and so thanks to everybody that has come on board and made this a reality,” McConnell said.

Looking ahead to the 2024-2025 season, scheduled to begin in September, McConnell and his ACCIONA | SAINZ XE team are determined to build on their progress.

“The first year, we finished third overall and last year we finished second, and naturally we would want to finish on top and so I just need to go out and show them that we can do it,” McConnell stated.

“It is always a work in progress because I have always had the same principles that: Every time I step into the car I want to be better than I was the previous times,” he said.

“… That is always my focus, to be a better driver. I am always learning from my mistakes; and I need to understand what I did wrong and make sure that I repeat the good things and leave the bad things behind and so I am always striving for that greatness,” McConnell asserted.