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Racers urged to attend Bermuda Charge event

Going for a ride: David Jones, the BMRA founder, and MP Sylvan Richards enjoy the Bermuda Charge Charity Ride last year(Photograph by RYZE Photography)

The Bermuda Charge Race Committee and the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Association will host an information desk for racing prospects keen to compete in motorcycle or touring car road races at the event in September.The information desk will be set up at the Transport Museum in Royal Naval Dockyard on Sunday February 2.Local riders and drivers who attend will be informed of qualifying criteria, the route map, race village layout and other particulars for the road race. Applications from volunteers who would like to get close to the action on race days will also be welcome.The race, a 5-mile circuit on closed public roads in the East End, is scheduled for September 5 to 7.The event will host a 250cc National Hero lightweight category only open to Bermudians and Permanent Resident Holders, who will be required to complete a rigorous qualifying process. It will also run categories in 600cc SuperSport Motorcycles, Touring Cars and the headline international event, Zero-Emission Superbikes, designed to spearhead the development of electric technology and renewable energy.There are presently 35 local applicants to compete across the 250cc, 600cc and Touring Car categories, and eight international applicants for the Superbike Race.Local artist Dejavon Paynter has been engaged to capture the vision for the start line on canvas, and will unveil the painting at the Transport Museum so that viewers can get a feel for the layout of the event. Paynter aims to show the excitement and atmosphere the race will bring to the island.The information desk will be located at the Transport Museum Fish Fry, an official Restaurant Weeks event, from 12pm to 3pm on February 2, where representatives from the Bermuda Charge and BMRA will be available to answer questions about race categories and regulations. BMRA membership packs will also be available, ahead of the motorcycle racing season at the Rubis Southside Raceway which starts in May. All local motorcycle road racing prospects must have a BMRA membership activated before the season starts, and are required to be 21 years of age before the race meet on September 5.Digital footage of the event and its island setting will be distributed to millions of screens worldwide by event partner SCUF Gaming. Race safety measures will be overseen by a team of technical experts from the International North West 200, an annual superbike road race in Northern Ireland that attracts about 100,000 spectators. A spokesperson said: “We look forward to developing motorsport talent on our island. One of the benefits of ensuring each racer has a BMRA membership is the skill set and knowledge that is passed down from experienced riders and coaches. “Members of the BMRA learn to keep their speed to the track rather than public roads, and are coached in advanced riding processes that make them more alert and safety conscious. “The more proficient and responsible riders we have on public roads, the safer they will be. As a race organisation, we have installed processes to ensure our participants will be credible ambassadors for road safety in Bermuda.“We encourage all race prospects to attend, as well as volunteers and interested parties. The first 10 volunteers to register for the September road race event will receive a $10 fuel card, courtesy of our partners at Rubis. This is also a good time for companies who wish to sponsor the event to step forward. There will be a wealth of up to date information available.”For more details about the Bermuda Charge visit www.bermudacharge.com.