Barbados?will?be represented at the Easykart 60cc World Finals in Milan, Italy, from October 14 to 16.
Ten-year-old Megan Gilkes, currently leading the overall Barbados Karting Association’s (BKA) Frutee Championship and also at the top of the Easykart 60cc Class, will wear the national colours at the event which has attracted 320 drivers from 27 countries.
It will be the first overseas outing for Gilkes, who will be accompanied by her father, coach and technical specialist Brent Gilkes.
The young driver, who leads the local karting championship with a whopping 714 points with two race days remaining, told WEEKEND?SPORT she is excited about the world event and is looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s going to be a good experience driving among so many good drivers, but I would like to do well at that event.
“I have been watching videos from last year’s finals to get some idea of what to expect, but I am looking forward to competing in Italy,” she said.
Gilkes, who has been doing cross-country training and playing tennis in preparation for the Italian outing, said she thinks that the exposure to the kind of competition expected at the world finals should strengthen her resolve in the race for the BKA championship.
Brent Gilkes said that a good finish by Megan could open many opportunities for her and they would give of their best.
“If she could finish in the top five it would be an excellent opportunity for her. I would feel great, but we are taking it one step at a time,” he said.
He had high praise for the BKA, Frutee and Wendy Williams for their support in helping to make their participation in the Finals possible.
Drivers from Germany, Poland, Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Britain, Greece, Panama, Guatemala, Venezuela, El Salvador, Slovenia, Portugal, Barbados and host country Italy are entered in the meet.
The World Finals will be carried live on television and by streaming on the www.easykart.it website.
