Calling all “speed junkies” — Bermuda Karting Club is waiting to hear from you.

Just weeks before the new season at the Rubis Southside Raceway, the club is opening its arms to anyone, young and old, who wants to give the sport a try.

“Anyone who likes to go fast and race, we have got spots for you down at the karting club,” said club president Scott “Skitchy” Barnes.

Last season BKC added the LO206 class to its line-up. The class features box stock closed engines, putting the emphasis firmly on driving skills and kart set-up.

It proved hugely popular and has been split into the over 40s masters class and the 15 and overs. Barnes says new drivers are welcome on the grid.

He added: “We want to get the word out there that we have a couple of new classes; a couple of low-maintenance classes that mean it’s easy to get into the sport.

“We also have the rental programme. So come down and try it, see whether you like it before you actually purchase your own kart.

“The LO206 class, which we started last year, features a motor that’s inexpensive to buy. You basically just add gas every week and you’re good to go. The engines are all box stock so it’s not all about how much money you spend.

“Everyone’s on the same engine package. It’s all about set-up and driving, which is nice.

“For older guys that want to get in the sport, we have a spot for you too.

“Maybe if their kids get involved in the junior programme, the fathers can race as well. We definitely want to push the family aspect of it.”

The Rubis Championship gets under way on September 10 at Southside; the start of a planned 15-raceday season.

“It would be nice to get some fresh drivers out,” Barnes said. “We’ve made our class structure as inexpensive as possible. It’s not all about throwing money at some motors.

“Any speed junkies out there who think they want to come down and get into racing, definitely don’t be afraid to come out and give it a try. Don’t be bashful.”

The club’s junior programme is also in rude health and will continue to feature a Junior TAG and Junior Cadet class, for seven-year-olds up to 15.

“They are the future of the sport,” Barnes said. “The classes are still growing which is awesome. If you have a little kid who loves speed, karting is a great sport to get involved in.

“We have the junior rentals as well if they want to come down and try it out.”

For more information on how to get involved and what the club offers, e-mail bermudakartingclub@yahoo.com or go to the club’s Facebook page. Alternatively, call Barnes on 505-1611.

As well as a packed Rubis Southside Raceway schedule, the club are looking into staging a brand new street race — at the America’s Cup Village.

Having staged street events in Hamilton and Dockyard, the prospect of racing on the pristine surface of the village is already exciting Barnes.

“They are interested,” he said. “They just have to work to see how long it will take to clear the area.

“They’ve pretty much given us the nod to do it, it’s just a question of when.

“The surface is awesome, brand new Astro!

“We’re excited to get back street racing.”

Watch this space.