THE Bermuda Radio Controlled Electric Sports Club continues to gain momentum as one of the few sporting bodies that has family members competing on the same team.During the club’s fun day held at the Pembroke Community Club, the club’s newest members were the brother team of Zaren and Zen Bennett, who were trying out their new vehicles along with their godmother, Jackie Mills, who is also an R/C racing enthusiast.

In the club’s 20-year history there have been three female competitors and, according to Ms Mills, the sport has a lot of potential. In describing her interest in the sport, Ms Mills said she did not feel intimidated in participating in a male-dominated sport.

“We had a function during the Queen’s Birthday holiday and (club president) Wendall Daniels brought a model for the boys to try out and when the invitation to come to the track was extended, they kept asking me if I will take them!

“I’m in the learning process of maintenance and Wendell is a stickler for pre-race maintenance. I have done road racing so far and I am still relatively new to the sport and my girlfriends just smile politely and do not make any comments,”, she laughed.

Also a NASCAR enthusiast, Ms Mills said the opportunity to attend the Loews 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina to meet fellow racing enthusiasts was enlightening.

“The people there took the time to chat with us and many of them were second-generation enthusiasts as well as Radio Controlled model racers. Many of them have radio-controlled replica cars of their favourite full-scale vehicle.”

Club resident Wendall, who also attended the Loews 600, agreed with Ms Mills and said one of the club’s main objectives was to have the club as a family-oriented outlet.

“What club on the island can say they have a father and son on the same sporting team? We have a father and son hobbyist and with Jackie helping to put new blood into the club, she has helped to dispel the myth that only guys are into Radio Controlled models,” he said.

“Also another coup for us is the addition of her godsons, who are seven and nine years old respectively, which makes them the youngest members in the history of the club as well as the youngest brother duo.”

Ms Mills is not one to let this interest hit the skids and invested in her own kit, a Tamiya Nissan Skyline Touring car.

“Those who are familiar with the movie Drifting<$> will recognise my model immediately and the car handles quiet well and Wendall has been encouraging my godsons and by next year this time I will be a lot better.

“But for now, I just want to make it around the track without colliding!”

She added: “It is something constructive to do with the kids and it is not as easy as it seems, but it definitely tests your hand and eye co-ordination!

“We are making the sport a more family-dominated event as opposed to being a male-dominated sport.

“It helps not only to foster a team player attitude, but it also helps to create an age-appropriate activity that does not discriminate on the basis of gender.

“The invitation is open to any and all female racing enthusiasts or those who have an appreciation for the sport.

“There are female racers abroad and we have been establishing contacts with several overseas organisations, the most recent with a club in Malaysia.

“One of our members was there for two weeks the year before last, and is returning later this year to help with promoting our club,” Wendall said.

For more info and racing stats, log on to www.bermudarcelectricsportsclub@piczo.com or send an e-mail to brcesc@yahoo.com.