(By Stephan Sookram: compliments of Secure Innovations and Concepts, E-Networks, AMS and GFX racing.

WITH rounds one and two of the historic Junior Caribbean Karting Academy trophy completed, the Guyanese contingent, which includes six drivers, has agreed that their main aim is experience.

The two other competing countries, Jamaica and Barbados, have longstanding karting programs for their youths while Guyana’s recently re-started program began just two years ago.

And having seen the competition last weekend at the Bushy Park raceway, the Guyanese contingent still consider themselves the largest beneficiaries.
The six youngsters: Nathan Rahaman, Jeremy Ten-Pow, Rayden Persaud, Elan Rahaman, Zachary Persaud and Paige Mendonca, believe that the weekend has taught them a lot.
The experience gained from when they arrived on Thursday to Sunday was clear as when they began, they were 3-4 seconds off the pace.
After Sunday, some were just a second off the times the leaders were doing, representing a major growth.

Apart from on track karting, there were two days of classroom sessions revolving around track conduct and driving, as well as a separate session for driver coaching.
The classroom sessions were conducted by deputy chief trainer for the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, while the driver coaching was done by former F1 driver, Tommy Byrne, who now specialises in coaching children.

Rayden Persaud leads Guyanese
After the completion of the first two rounds last weekend, Rayden Persaud is the highest placed Guyanese with 55 points after the two rounds.

In the first round, he picked up 35 points, finishing seventh while in Sunday’s second round, Rayden managed just 20 points. His nearest competitor is Jeremy Ten Pow, who has 54.5 points.

Elan Rahaman has 53 points; Nathan Rahman has 45 after missing most of Saturday; Paige Mendonca has 32 and Zachary Persaud has 25.

Atop the regional table is Calem Maloney, the Barbadian. He has 158 points and is being chased by countryman Adam Mallalieu, who has 144 points. Ryan Chisholm of Jamaica is third with 103 points while countryman Zander Williams (90) is fourth. Jamaica’s Tommi Gore (82) rounds out the top 5.

Rounds three and four are set for February 2nd and 3rd at the same venue.