The Bermuda Karting Club is enjoying success with their junior programme with numbers increasing among new drivers in the Cadet class at the Southside Raceway.

With the future of the sport raising concern with a lack of any competitors in that class, the club actively tried to attract a new influx of young drivers by setting up a dedicated junior programme last year.

Since then, the initiative has reaped rewards with seven junior drivers now competing regularly in the Cadet class, leaving Scott Barnes, president of the BKC, confident about the future of karting on island.

“Two years ago the Bermuda Karting Club had zero Cadet junior drivers as they all stepped up to Tag Junior class or got out of the sport,” Barnes said.

“So last season we started a Cadet junior programme, the club brought the Cadet karts that were not being used and turned them into rental race karts for young drivers.”

“Last season, we had four new junior drivers take to the programme. This year we got more karts and now have seven new junior drivers.

“It is so great to see the next generation of BKC drivers getting started in the sport.”

Barnes had a busy year last year competing overseas, claiming eight victories in nine international events, including the Florida Winter Tour, Pro Tour and Skusa SuperNationals. He was accompanied in Daytona by other Bermudians drivers Brian Bulhoes, Marc Tucker and Brian Hall who participated in their first races there.

No doubt Barnes sees experiences like that as vital to the growth of karting locally.

“To me it’s all about growing the sport in Bermuda and getting new people involved with Kart racing here in Bermuda,” he added.

“This rental kart programme allows new children to try out karting without having to buy their own kart at first.”

Action returns with round seven of the BKC National Championships at the Southside Raceway tomorrow.

•For further information contact Scott Barnes on 505-1611 or via e-mail at Bermudakartingclub@yahoo.com