Phillip Myers is ready to make his mark

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Unlike most of the other young go-karters, 15-year-old Phillip Myers, is from a non-traditional motorsport family.

He has, however, been making quite a name for himself in the Rotax Junior Class championship, held monthly at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston. Dubbed as one of the most consistent competitors, all eyes will be on the Hillel Academy student when he takes the track tomorrow for the Jamaica Karting Association's (JKA) fifth race meet of the year.

This meet was originally scheduled for Sunday, but because of the Red Bull Formula One car promotion through the streets of New Kingston on that day, the JKA has brought forward their race meet. Myers, who has been involved in the sport for the past three years, has improved significantly. "Earlier this year we took him to Miami where he competed in the Florida Winter Tour (FWT), since then he has improved," Guy Eaton, Myers' personal mechanic said.

According to Eaton, Myers has been training very hard and looks ready to land his first championship. He is among the leading candidates to win the Abe Ziadie Memorial Trophy, which goes to the JKA's outstanding driver of the year.

"Our aim right now is for Phillip (Myers) to do well in the Rotax event which will be held in Wisconsin later this year, from there we hope to go to the world go-kart finals," said Eaton.

Myers has been doing well under the watchful eyes of his driving coach, Duncan Stewart, who himself was once a top rally driver in Jamaica.

Tomorrow's meet is the last before the JKA takes a break to facilitate the young karters preparing for their respective exams. Racing should resume in July when they will host their first international race meet of the year.