Scott Barnes hailed the return of Bermuda Karting Club action after an enforced absence because of the Covid-19 crisis.After more than five months away from the Rubis Southside Raceway, the new season revved back into gear with 22 karts competing over five different classes on Sunday.Despite seeing a slightly below-average turnout compared with past seasons, the new club president, was delighted for racing to return after such a long layoff.“It was nice to be able to get back to hosting a race day after having no racing since the track was closed in March,” he said.“We also had to postpone the original season-opener because of the hurricane activity, and so everyone was itching to get going again.“The turnout was a little below average for a normal race day, but for a first weekend after a long absence it was good to see so many return as we are trying to build the club up again.“Overall, it was just a great day to kick the season off because it’s been hard for everyone over the past few months.“I also have to thank the continued sponsorship of Rubis because without that we wouldn’t be able to continue as we do, especially after the closure because of Covid-19.”On the track, Barnes claimed maximum points in an uncontested Tag Senior class but endured differing fortunes in the bumper L206 Seniors class where he won the first race ahead of David Barbosa and Rian Lindo before a bent axle derailed his charge slightly. Barnes had to settle for second behind Lines in race two with Barbosa third, before Lines completed another race win in the third heat, with Barbosa this time second ahead of Barnes.“There was also a really good battle in the L206 Seniors with ten karts competing,” Barnes added. “I was delighted to get a win in that first heat but then I bent my axle, which hampered me massively.“Rian managed to get the early lead for the season but it’s a ten-week season, so there’s still plenty of racing to do yet.”Barbosa was also in action in the L206 Masters class, where he claimed three successive second-place finishes behind a dominant Robert Wheatley. Kenneth Harrison completed the top three in each of the heats.There was also an impressive display from Nile Bean in the Tag Juniors class, where he pipped Jayden Brimmer to victories in the opening two heats, before Jauza James, who finished third in the opening race, flipped the form guide on its head to win heat three. In the final race, Bean settled for second with Brimmer taking third.Having made the step up from the junior class, Jorja Thomas proved she is more than capable of competing in the Shifter class after completing a hat-trick of top-three finishes.Thomas claimed a second-place finish in heat one before following that up with back-to-back third places. Blake Horseman took victory in heat one, in Michael Fontanetta finished third, before having to settle for successive second-place finishes behind race winner Ryan Rebello in heats two and three.“It was pleasing to see Jorja Thomas make her debut in the Shifter Class having moved up from the Tag Juniors,” Barnes said. “I thought she raced really well over the day and it will be interesting to see her progression throughout this season.”