THE 2002 karting season will come to an end on Sunday at the Champions Park Raceway, Roche Caïman, with the season-ending nine-race Grand Prix sponsored this year by communications company Airtel.

If the weather does not disappoint, Sunday's karting session is expected to be full of excitement as drivers of the three different classes –  Cadet (50cc), Junior (60cc) and Formula A (100cc) – will be jostling for positions on the grid and they should, at the same time, avoid unnecessary collisions on the track which could have a bearing in the final results.

The drivers will go into Sunday's Grand Prix in quest for some of the interesting prizes which include the winners' trophies, the titles for best driver of the day and best newcomer, and the Airtel Challenge Cup to be contested by regional teams of five drivers.

The day, which is expected to be filled with good and fast driving, will begin with the heats at 9 a.m. followed by the finals at noon.

With the Cadet and Formula A titles having already been sewn up by Marcus Dubignon and Dave Rene respectively, only the Junior class awaits its winner.

Defending Junior champion Alex Chang Sam needs just one point from Sunday's race to claim his second consecutive title and to achieve the feat, he only has to get his kart across the finish line.

Knowing that only Nelwyn Pierrre and Peter Fred can challenge him, Chang Sam is aware that he can run away with the Junior class title bar any mechanical problems,  unexpected driving mistakes or accidents.

In the Cadet class, Marcus Dubignon has won all but the last race of the division and he is expected to be challenged by the fast-improving Joshua Gopal who has played second fiddle to the former. A win for Gopal will surely be a perfect Christmas present for him.

Dave Rene, a six-time Formula A champion in as many years, hasn't been lucky over the last two races as his engine blew off on both occasions, but the driver, who always manages to turn on the tricks when the need arises, is looking to get back to winning ways.

Rene, who has raced in club meetings in England, is not being intimidated by Andy Denousse who has openly said that he will deny the former, seen by many as the best local kart driver, of the first step on the podium during the Grand Prix.

If Rene is the Formula A winner, the other positions have still not been decided in this category. Joel Lau-Tee has a strong chance of finishing as runner-up, while John Simon, who holds a one-point lead over Denousse, will be looking to finish in third place.

The Seychelles Karting Association has also said that the prize-giving ceremony will take place right after the Grand Prix and all podium finishers for the 2002 season will receive their trophies.

The organising committee is also calling on parents of drivers of the Cadet and Junior categories to be present for the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the SKA is hoping that the Airtel Challenge Cup, to be contested by regional teams of five drivers each would help popularise the sport and get more people to watch the drivers in action.

It is to note that the times of the first four drivers are counted during the Airtel Challenge Cup races.