FIA Vice President for Sport (North, Central America and Caribbean), Daniel Coen, recently met with Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, ahead of the Nations Cup Caribbean karting competition held in the country this month.

The meeting focused on motor sport accessibility, the value it brings to communities, and the opportunities it provides to young people, from entry-level competition through to international championships. North, Central America and Caribbean continue to lead the way in providing regional karting championships that offer a pathway for the next generation of racing stars to emerge.

Nations Cup Caribbean

Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Nations Cup Caribbean 2026, a four-day international junior karting championship, at the Frankie Boodram Wallerfield International Raceway from 13 to 16 August. It was the first time the country had hosted an international karting event of this level and was possible due to funding from the FIA Motor Sport Funding Programme FIA Vice President for Sport (North America) Daniel Coen allocated to the event.

The event was held under the collaboration of the Trinidad and Tobago Automobile Sports Association (TTASA), the Trinidad and Tobago Karting Association (TTKA), and the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), with all competitors racing identical karts supplied and maintained by the BMF.

Thirteen drivers aged 10 to 15, representing Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, went wheel-to-wheel in identical machinery across two days of racing, delivering a true test of driver skill and intuition.

Racing on home soil, Trinidad and Tobago successfully defended the Champion Nation title, finishing on 208 points, ahead of Barbados (183.5), Jamaica (116.5) and Bermuda (114.5). Jonathan Charan topped the individual standings with a strong performance across both days, backed by a determined home squad of Abhishek Ramdeen, Axl Garcia, Christian Gajadhar and Varin Bhimsingh.

Trinidad and Tobago had entered as the defending champion, having won the inaugural Nations Cup at Bushy Park, Barbados, in 2025.

Daniel Coen, FIA Vice President for Sport (North, Central America and Caribbean), said:

"Meetings like this one with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago are so important for the future of our sport in the region. Karting is where the next generation of drivers will take their first steps, and events like the Nations Cup Caribbean show just how much talent and enthusiasm there is here.

“We are committed to working with our member clubs and local authorities to keep building accessible pathways for young people across North and Central America."