Rae, Sirgany for Panama awards
SEBASTIEN Rae and Joshua Sirgany are heading to Panama this weekend for the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Americas Awards banquet to be held at Riu Plaza Panama, Panama City, on Saturday.
Rae, 2012 Circuit Racing Champion, and Sirgany, last season’s go-kart champion, will receive the senior and junior FIA trophy respectively. The FIA is the worldwide governing body of motorsport.
Peter Clarke, Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC) president, said his organisation elected both drivers for the award.
“As the FIA’s local representative, the JMMC is allowed to elect two persons; a senior and a junior from our country to receive this prestigious prize,” said Clarke.
Rae, who not only holds the circuit racing championship but the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship Group 2 title as well, was very thankful for the gesture.
“It was totally unexpected, and I can’t say how wonderful it is to represent my country,” said Rae.
Last Friday, Rae picked up more silverware in the motorsport category of the RJR Sports Foundation Awards at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, St Andrew. The Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year went to Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce respectively.
“I’m delighted to be recognised in the same light as Usain Bolt,” Rae told Auto.
He hopes both trophies will help his sponsorship drive to defend his titles in 2013.
“I don’t think people realise how much time, effort and money goes into our sport. In the case of small team like us, it’s just not possible without the right amount of sponsorship,” Rae said.