Ja drivers make history in Italy
… Raise more than J$1m in ‘Race to Recovery’ for Hurricane Melissa victims
Published:Monday | November 17, 2025 | 5:15 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaica’s motorsport community is celebrating a landmark achievement after race car drivers Senna Summerbell and Christopher Issa made history in Italy this past weekend, becoming the first Jamaicans to win a European Drivers Championship.
And doing so while raising more than J$1 million for Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.
The duo clinched the TCR European Endurance Championship DSG class title at the Misano World Circuit on November 15, in the final meet of the four-race series. They also finished second overall against the faster SEQ class, an extraordinary performance that elevated Jamaica’s profile on the European circuit.
But their victory carried an even deeper meaning.
Months earlier, when they entered the 2024–2025 championship, neither driver imagined Jamaica would be devastated by Hurricane Melissa before their final race. As images of destruction swept across the island, Summerbell and Issa transformed their final showdown into a humanitarian mission, branding it the ‘Race to Recovery’.
Determined to use their international platform to help families hardest hit by the storm, they rallied fellow racers, sponsors, and fans across Europe. Their efforts raised J$500,000, which was matched by the S Hotels Foundation, bringing the total to more than J$1 million for Jamaica’s disaster relief.
Issa, who operates the S Hotel Group, said the moment carried both patriotic and personal significance.
“It was a special experience to represent Jamaican motorsport at this international level, and finishing the season with a win felt incredible. Being able to use our final race to raise funds for Jamaica’s recovery made the achievement even more meaningful, because it reminded us that our efforts on the track can have real impact off it.”
Summerbell, son of legendary motorsport icon David Summerbell Jr, described the historic win as a defining moment in his career.
“This is one of the first European Championships ever won by a Jamaican, and it’s a defining milestone for both me and the team. It’s inspiring to follow in my father’s footsteps; he won an international American championship, and now having a European title in the family feels surreal.”
With their championship secured and Jamaica’s flag flying high at Misano, the pair’s triumph is being celebrated not only as a motorsport milestone, but as a profound act of national service.
The S Hotels Foundation will channel the funds into relief programmes supporting families affected by the Category 5 hurricane, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
Summerbell and Issa’s victory, fuelled by determination, legacy, and love for country, now stands as one of the most inspiring chapters in Jamaica’s sporting year.