Bermuda's motor sports fraternity are ready to hit high gear following Government's decision to provide a new home for them at Southside.

For many motor sports enthusiasts, the announcement by Sports Minister Randy Horton represents a dream come; one which they say could immeasurably raise Bermuda's profile in motor sports internationally and offer another potential avenue for sports tourism.

"It's a great day for Bermuda to be moving forward in motor sports which is one of the largest-growing sports in the world. This is an excellent opportunity now for us to bring in overseas competitors and that's what we're going for.

"We have the talent and ability to host and participate in international competitions but we just didn't have the facility. Hopefully this will change. It could be a huge benefit tourism-wise," said Chris Roque, a spokesman for the umbrella motor sports group, the Bermuda United Motorsports Federation (BUMF).

This organisation represents the five entities in motor sports locally - the Bermuda Motocross Club, the Bermuda Power Boat Association, the Personal Watercraft Association of Bermuda, the Bermuda Karting Club and the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club - and members of all these will meet with Horton and other authorities at Clearwater Beach this morning to discuss plans for the new facility.

"I'm ecstatic. This has been a long time coming and I would like to think that it's the beginning for us because there are other things we need like computerised lap-scoring so we can get on a more professional footing," said Michael Lindo, vice-president of the Bermuda Karting Club.

Echoing Roque's sentiments, he noted that once they could get a track that is internationally certified this would "open up" the opportunity for Bermuda to get international recognition.

President of the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club David Jones praised Horton for keeping his word and recognising the role of motor sports in Bermuda. He already has "a few things in mind" for the motorcycling community once the new track is completed.

"It won't be just about motorcycle road racing anymore. We will now be able to have drag racing also and this will certainly boost the club's image and competitiveness among our members. I am very excited about the prospects," he said.

Roque, who also heads the Bermuda Power Boat Association, said things had stagnated somewhat in Bermuda motor sports in recent years due to a lack of proper facilities. The news of a home, he hoped, would increase interest and participation in various disciplines.

"I also hope this will give us somewhere to hold functions and fund-raisers and even a place to store our equipment. Right now we have to keep our rescue boats at people's homes and that's not suitable, not professional at all," he said.