The Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club is looking to raise funds to send ten young riders to California’s M1GP racetrack for their first international competition in April.

It will be the first time the BMRC has sent riders overseas to train and compete for ten years. The BMRC has also opened its registration for its next term of riding clinics at the Rubis Southside Raceway in St David’s, starting on January 20 for youngsters aged from 5 to 16.

“This is the first time that we have had an oversubscription of students seeking to join our clinics which is fantastic” said Kristin Divine, BMRC’s youth development chair.

“We’re excited to see the interest in the motorsport rising along with a genuine desire for families to expose younger children, particularly young teens and preteens, to the concept and skills of motorcycle riding before the legal age of 16.

“We are passionate about our programmes and are proud to offer an outlet that can benefit the broader community while simultaneously developing more competent and talented young riders, some of whom would go on to filter into the sporting side of the club.”

Riders of all skill levels are welcome, and the club is still accepting registrations into the intermediate and advanced classes for those that already have a sound foundation in the basics of motorcycle riding.

Divine said the club was also thrilled to announce a partnership with Oleander Cycles to expand the club’s reach to Bermuda’s teenagers.

“Oleander Cycles is providing us with three PGO Ligerio scooters that we are incorporating into our Clinics starting this month,” she said.

“This initiative will add more opportunities for older youth interested in joining the sport,” she said.

“This means that students who are too big for our current Pitsterpro mini motorcycles can now take advantage of our youth riding clinics on more appropriately sized motorcycles. The target age group is 12 to 16-year-olds for the scooter programme and this will add another dynamic to our unique clinic experiences.

“Currently, we have one more space left for an experienced teen rider to join this part of our programme.”

The BMRC is planning to hold a carwash fundraiser on Saturday, January 27 from 11am to 5pm in support of their overseas training weekend for their advanced youth racers.

• To register for their riding clinics or to learn more about their M1GP training weekend, visit www.bmrc.bm/spark.