Kyle Gregg's Honda Civic. - Contributed
The phrase 'like father, like son' is ringing true for veteran race-car driver Gary 'The Colonel' Gregg. This, after his son, Kyle, disclosed on Thursday night that he has his eyes set on the big rallies in the United Kingdom.
"As a Jamaican, I want to be the first from the Caribbean to compete and win some of the big rallies in the United Kingdom," said the younger Gregg, who is currently pursuing a first degree in business administration at the Florida-based Lynn's University.
His father flew to Jamaica last weekend to watch him register a sweet and impressive victory in the JMMC/Petcom-sponsored Rally Jamaica 2009 event. So while his father is still celebrating his fourth win in that event over the past six years, Kyle is also in a jubilant mood.
successful year
Kyle (left) and Gary Gregg.
It has been a successful year for the Greggs. The younger Gregg has won the International Class title in this year's go-kart championship, held at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.
He has also won six races at the Dover Raceway, St Ann, this year, to walk away with the MP One Class title.
"This was a big achievement for me, thanks to my dad," said a smiling Kyle, who has since acquired a black Honda Civic motor car, which he will be using to compete in the JMMC events next year.
In his early childhood, he would watch his mother, Sue-Ann Panton, taking on the other females in the go-kart rivalry at the Palisadoes track.
"Motor racing is in his blood and I knew he was going to get involved in the sport at some stage. I can remember when he was a toddler and used to drive this remote-control car and break it up in the driveway," said Panton.
She believes he did the right thing by starting out in go-karting before moving into circuit racing.
"I would love to see him on the dirt track now. I will watch anybody race, but it is heart-rending watching my son competing, my stomach just cannot take it," said Panton, who is planning to make a return to go-kart racing soon.