The Cadet class has become a tight-knit group down at the Southside track, bonding over a shared love of speed.

While the competitive spirit burns bright in the budding drivers as they jostle for track position, off the grid they are a team.

It is what enabled points leader Jamie Newton, 9, son of Oracle Team USA sailor Joey, to settle in straight away when he arrived from Australia.

The intensity of the racing Down Under gave Newton a head start in Bermuda, taking numerous chequered flags in his first full season with the Bermuda Karting Club to open up a 63-point lead heading into this Sunday’s race day.

But his rivals have upped their game and even the Aussie admits he can feel the chasing pack on his rear wheels — even at 120km/h.

“Things are going pretty good,” said the Warwick Academy student. “I’m first on the leaderboard and in my last race I came first.

“Australia was a teeny bit harder than Bermuda but I think they are definitely getting quicker here. All of the kids have got way more competitive.”

As well as experiencing race days in his homeland, Newton has also raced in the United States with the Top Kart Team in Indianapolis, Daytona and Jacksonville on the World Karting Association circuit.

“It’s very hard there,” he said. “I’m in the middle, not even the middle, front of the last pack. It’s super hard.

“They bump draft all the time on the straight and they really don’t care if they bump you on a corner. They just try to push you off. I’ve had it happen. It’s annoying.”

While it can get ferocious on the Southside track, the BKC’s family vibe is a big attraction for Newton’s parents, Sally and Joey.

“They are like a little team [the cadets] — that’s why go-karting is so good,” Sally said.

“I feel there’s no other sport where you need the parents’ involvement as much. Jamie can’t just go to the track — he needs his dad there. It’s a team and family affair.”

One of Newton’s friendly Cadet rivals is Jacob Hines, 8, whose improvement in recent races has him believing he can better his fifth-place overall finish last season.

But he needs his family onside too, carrying out household chores for his mum to earn the cash to help fund new tyres as well as race fees.

Hines is learning fast from his uncle, Scott “Skitchy” Barnes, who is also the club president, and is already developing a reputation as a young driver who likes to hunt down his rivals. He’s clearly one to watch from the middle of the pack.

“It’s been a better season than last time but harder,” said Hines, who came third in the last Dockyard street race.

“I only got half a season in last year because I was in the rentals but now in my own kart I feel like on the straights and corners I’ve improved.

“I’m aiming for second this Sunday and around fourth or third overall for the season.”

He added: “I love the competition. I love stuff on wheels — and the speed!”

Both boys would like to thank the BKC for putting on the race days. Also, Hines thanked his sponsors: Vitamin Sea Fisheries, Legasea Fisheries, Lisa Barnes, H+H Plumbing and Surface Trends. Newton would also like to thank his backers: Bell Helmets USA, Safety Kleen and Top Kart USA.

Rental karts are available during Sunday’s race day, 11am to 11.30am sign-up on a first-come, first-served basis. It costs $60 for a 15-minute race/session with potentially all seven karts on the grid. Cost includes all equipment, gas and safety gear. Sunday’s races start around 12.15pm.