The local karting community will remember one of their own when they host the Victor DeCosta Memorial Race Day at the Rubis Southside Raceway this weekend.

DeCosta, who died aged 43 in 1994, played a significant role in the Bermuda Karting Club in the 1970s and was well known in the powerboat and motocross circles.

Both of his grandsons, Owen and Nathan DeCosta, are keeping the family’s tradition of racing karts alive and will be in action on Sunday.

Andrew DeCosta recalls his father being especially admired for the support and encouragement he offered newcomers to the sport.

“He did karting in the 1970s at the older sites like PHC, BAA and the National Sports Club when they used to race on grass,” said Andrew, who also raced in karting and powerboats as a youngster. “I was a young boy and I remember seeing him race. He never got the chance to see me race and would have loved to have watched his grandsons in karting. I was lucky enough to be racing boats when he was around and he helped me a lot.”

Andrew said he was “humbled” when the BKC told him they were holding a race day in his father’s honour.

“I had a call from a gentleman who wanted to stay behind the scenes,” Andrew said. “He told me he wanted to hold a memorial race because my father did a lot for him. I was humbled and thanked him.”

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 club president Scott Barnes on 505-1611 or committee member Travis Lewis on 535-0558