Top US go-karter arrives today

Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter

ONE OF the United States' top teenage go-karters, Timmy Mergenbier, will arrive in the island this afternoon for Sunday's Red Bull 'Smokin' Street' go-kart extravaganza in New Kingston.

"This 14-year-old karter is a top performer in the United States, he is awesome. He is coming here to put on a real good show," said Mitch Watson, one of the senior managers of Red Bull.

According to Neil Williams of the Jamaica Karting Association (JKA), the young karter is expected to arrive from Chicago in the company of his father.

"He was one of several international karters that competed against our local team at the Rotax championship held in Indiana last year," said Williams.

Big event

Mergenbier is one of two American-based karters who have been confirmed for Sunday's big event. Last week, Jamaican-born Andrew Simmons, the son of businessman and veteran go-kart driver Mike Simmons came in from Miami to compete in the Rotax races.

Young Simmons, who last raced a go-kart back in 1998, is trying to make a comeback and hopes to finish at least in the top three. The event will also feature stunt bike riders and paratroopers who will be jumping out of helicopters from about 5,000 feet in the air and landing on turf of Knutsford Boulevard.

The paratroopers are scheduled to arrive in the island tomorrow.

The overseas karters will be challenged by the best of the local crop of young karters which include Dominic Moore, Timothy Stewart, Joel Jackson and Andre and Martin Anderson.