pack racing competitions.

That was the view yesterday of Mr. Ras Mykkal, president of the Bermuda Auto Cycle Union.

Mr. Mykkal said the annex could be turned into a multi-purpose sports centre -- if the US naval personnel pull out.

And a good idea would be to let youngsters use specially imported racing bikes at the centre.

It was high time to combat the menace of pack racing on Bermuda's roads, Mr.

Mykkal added.

"When will somebody address the issue? Are we going to keep burying our young people and just hope somebody comes along to solve the problem?'' Father-of-three Mr. Mykkal backed calls for Government action by ex-pack racer Mr. Dwight Booth.

Mr. Booth, who was nearly killed in a bike accident, had suggested organised pack races once a month.

He also urged parents, the Police, and mechanics to get involved.

The clamour for action follows the deaths of Berkeley Institute student Stephen Smith and Jeffrey Evans.

The Devonshire 17-year-olds -- described as close friends -- collided while riding on Palmetto Road, Devonshire, shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

Police have appealed for witnesses over the accident.

They have declined to speculate on whether the youths had been pack racing.

The funeral of Stephen took place at 5.30 p.m. yesterday at Christ Church, Devonshire.

Jeffrey's funeral will be this afternoon at St. Paul's AME Church.

Yesterday Mr. Mykkal, whose union stages the Motocross competitions in Coney Island, said pack racing was an age-old problem.

It came to a brief halt in the 1970s following the death of Raymond Symonds, a racer with the Turtles pack group.

"The new generation, however, don't know about Raymond,'' said Mr. Mykkal.

"Pack racing has never been addressed. There have been Police clampdowns, but it's never been addressed.'' Mr. Mykkal said Government, which is looking into the future of the overseas bases, should seriously consider setting up a sports centre at the annex.

Youngsters, however, should not use their own bikes for pack racing.

"The bikes should be specially imported for that purpose,'' said Mr. Mykkal.

As well as pack racing, the centre could become a venue for sporting organisations without a home, he added.

And it could become a place for tourists renting mopeds to be given test rides.

In addition, Police could be trained to handle cars and bikes at high speed at the centre.