many of the Island's social problems.

That was the opinion expressed by former Daytona superbike racer David Jones who has been pushing for such a facility to be set up in Bermuda.

Mr. Jones told The Royal Gazette a top-notch racing track would be the ideal remedy for the Island's ailments which included youth frustration and a withering tourism industry.

And he and other advocates of the idea have gathered some 2,000 signatures through a petition for such a track.

Specifically designed for motorbike racing but also adaptable for go-carts and pedal bikes, Mr. Jones said the facility could "benefit the entire community from the young kids to the middle-aged and even the tourists''.

"So many people watch bike races on the television or go away to see them,so of course it would be popular if it's in our own backyard,'' he added.

"This is a sport that will never get played out. The majority of the youth and the middle-aged enjoy racing. We just need a place to go.'' Mr. Jones noted that youths were always complaining that there was nothing to do.

"So why not give them the opportunity to channel their energy into something they will truly enjoy, something positive.

"The youth are genuinely interested and fascinated with bikes and racing.

"They could spend all day, all night doing up their bikes. It's a shame they have nowhere to compete in the sport they love.'' And fellow riding enthusiasts Todd Weaver and Kyle Constable said the lack of facilities was "appalling''.

"It takes a lot of talent to race bikes and a lot of the youth have that talent,'' said Mr. Constable. "All they need is a place to practice, a place other than the main roads.'' Mr. Constable, who spent three weeks during the summer racing in Michigan, recalled: "I was racing against over 600 guys. I placed pretty good, usually around 15th, but I could've done better had I a proper place to practise.'' "We do have Coney Island,'' Mr. Weaver noted, "but that doesn't even come close to what we should have.'' "You can only race up there one day out of the week and then only in the season,'' he said. "That just isn't enough.

"No-one really gets serious about racing in Bermuda, but how can they without any decent facilities? "It upsets me because no-one, particularly the kids, can ever really get the opportunity to better themselves in this sport,'' Mr. Weaver added.

"A lot of the kids in my neighbourhood come to my house to look at my bikes.

They stay there for hours, dreaming of having a cool bike of their own. They respect those bikes.'' Mr. Weaver's 13-year-old son, Jimmy Lee, said: "Racing bikes is a fantasy for young kids like me. It's a shame we can't get a chance to practise and get better.

"There's nothing really for us local kids to do. This would definitely get a lot of us involved. It would also keep us out of trouble and help us to motivate.'' An improvement in family unity would be another positive result of the racing facility, Mr. Weaver pointed out.

"When family members have something positive in common it brings about a 100 percent, 360 degree turn for the better.'' Air Care employee Patrick Caines agreed with his friend.

"Your old man becomes your aceboy because you're helping him and he's supporting you,'' Mr. Caines said.

Petitions, drawn up by Mr. Jones and circulated at many recent functions including the Dockyard boat show and Cup Match, have attracted some 2,000 supporters so far.

"Policemen, news anchors, MPs and even tourists have signed their names,'' said Mr. Jones. "I even had a guy from Germany say he would come to the Island more often if we had a track.'' Owner of World Distributors, Patrick Trott, has also gathered close to 1,000 signatures on a petition set up at his store.

"We obviously have community support,'' he said. "Now all we (the public) have to do is stop complaining and start some action.'' "Bermuda has to have legal facilities for this sport,'' he added. "If not, packracing on the streets will continue.'' Mr. Jones added: "If we're afraid to take one step forward then nothing will ever get done.'' The group gained additional community support when they took their bikes, go-carts and petitions down to Bernard Park for Labour Day.

Mr. Jones estimated his petition would "reach the 3,000 mark''. "It was successful,'' he said. "And we're working on getting down to Harbour Nights in Hamilton one Wednesday soon.'' "I know there's tons of people out there who would love to see something like this get done,'' he added. "Hopefully now they'll show some definite interest and support.'' Referring to the Island's overall declining visitor statistics, Mr. Jones said catering to an alternate type of visitor would be worthwhile.

"Why are we still building golf courses? It's clear that's not working. We should aim for a different crowd instead.'' "Tourists would surely come here to race,'' he added. "We could even get sponsorship from foreign businesses, if we one day compete internationally.'' Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer said: "We will try to assist these men in their endeavours in every possible way, shape and form.'' "This project is in its very, very early speculative stages at this time,'' Dr. Dyer added. "But we've got our minds open and we're willing to look at the feasibility of it all.''