Seasoned driver Richard Walker-Talbot thought his days behind the wheel were over.

After ten years racing touring and formula cars in the United States, the 40-year-old was focused on life with his young family in Bermuda.

Then towards the end of 2013, after three years away from the track, he went along to the inaugural Dockyard Grand Prix — and was blown away.

Not only did it stir his competitive juices but the packed starting grid and the vociferous crowd support left him determined to be involved in the Island’s resurgent karting scene.

This weekend Walker-Talbot — number 79 — will be pushing his kart to the limit around the Clocktower Mall track in the TAG class at the second Keen Ltd Dockyard Grand Prix Street Race.

“I went down to Southside years ago when there was, like, five karts and nobody down there,” he said.

“I was sort of interested but there was not a lot of karts. But when I saw Dockyard and saw how many karts were there, it really opened my eyes to something that could grow — it can only get bigger.

“Me and my wife went and we saw the spectators. I used to race cars in the States and obviously you are not going to race cars here, so this is the next best thing.

“The street race really got me wanting to go out and buy a kart and race with these guys. That’s it, man, now I’m just looking forward to this weekend.”

He added: “Something like this going on, on the Island, which is so small, is really big, It’s really a positive thing.

“I drive a truck every day and everybody sees me and they’re like ‘we’re going to see you race’. I’m excited, really souped about it.”

As well as getting back on the track, Walker-Talbot is also on the Bermuda Karting Club committee and was race director for last year’s successful Hamilton Grand Prix.

“I did a car street race in California in 2005 and Dockyard was even bigger,” he said. “So really it was the spectacle that grabbed me and then I really wanted to join the club.

“Now I’m on the committee and part of the decision-making process — it’s been great.”

Scaling down from touring cars to karts has not been easy, Walker-Talbot admits. But he says that in many ways karting gives you a bigger buzz as a driver.

“I guess you can say it’s more of an adrenalin rush because you are right there and the karts are right there next to you,” he said. “With cars you can hit and bang but with karts you can’t do that.

“You get as close as you can get, turn in [to the corners] as fast as you can — more exhilarating in my opinion.”

He added: “My target this weekend is to finish! I’m confident. I’ve been working hard this past couple of weeks.

“As far as the engine package goes, I’m faster. I have a new package to keep up with these guys because they’ve been blowing me away — I’ve just been watching them leave!

“So I’ve got a new engine package and hopefully it bears fruit.”

Working on his own engine has taken some getting used — for his wife more than anyone.

“The past three nights that’s all I’ve been doing,” he said. “My wife is not happy about it!

“I’ve been racing for a while but this is different big time. Car-wise the mechanic works on my car and I get out and I drive it. Here I have to work on my kart and fix it if it breaks. It’s a learning curve and it’s been steep but hopefully this weekend will be better than the rest of the weekends this season!”