The thrill of the chase has returned to Bermuda with a roar and a screech, thanks to the resurgence of the popular motorsport karting.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Hamilton for the Lindo’s Grand Prix last summer – the first of its kind in six years – while many more have been regularly entertained at the Bermuda Karting Club National Championships at the Rubis Southside Raceway.
For karting legend Scott “Skitchy” Barnes, it’s brought back memories of the glory days when the four local motorsports – karting, motocross, bikes and powerboat racing – formed a backbone of family culture.
“Bermudians love racing. That’s what we grew up on. They are always popular sports for the spectators,” Mr Barnes said.
Founded in 1976, Bermuda Karting Club is two years away from its 50th anniversary. More than 50 drivers raced the last season and Mr Barnes pointed to strong junior classes indicating rising levels of interest.
“Any time you can have a club in Bermuda that can last 50 years is a big thing for a small country. It’s only gotten stronger and better as the years go by,” Mr Barnes said.
“In the heyday in the late 1990s, we had 100 drivers, but karts were a lot cheaper back then. To be almost as strong now, when everything is twice as expensive, says that it’s a sport people are passionate about and care about.
“I love the fact it’s a family sport. You have a lot of fathers and sons get into the sport, even daughters – I think that’s the coolest thing about Bermuda karting. It’s only one person driving, but you need a pit crew, you need people to help you, so it’s a sport that can bring the whole family together.”
Some of today’s racers have worked their way through the ranks after joining the Karting Club’s junior cadets aged 7 or 8.
“It’s funny watching some of our 23-year-old drivers now,” Mr Barnes said. “Just in the last 20 years it’s been cool to watch these kids grow and evolve and come up through the classes.
“There are some father and son duos: their dad used to race, their grandfathers used to race, now the kids are grown up and racing themselves.”
The Karting Club has been in a rebuilding phase since being temporarily shut down by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the spectator base has grown back to about 100 on Clearwater race days.
As president last year, Mr Barnes prioritised a Grand Prix to take the excitement to Hamilton, with a new circuit around Court Street, Dundonald Street and Princess Street.
More than 5,000 people turned out to watch the action.
“It felt great to have another Grand Prix,” Mr Barnes said.
“It was exciting to take it to a different part of Bermuda and it’s always a crowd pleaser. The street races bring out the best in the drivers and they bring out the spectators. You are literally ten feet from the cars zipping past at 80mph. There’s nothing quite like a street race in Bermuda.
“I’ve been racing for 20-plus years, I do the biggest street race in America every Labour Day weekend. That race in the US doesn’t pull the spectators like we do here in Bermuda.”
Six riders from North America came to Bermuda for the Grand Prix.
Mr Barnes said: “They all said it’s our spectators that make our event so awesome and so different. To pull that many spectators is pretty cool.”
Mr Barnes stepped down as president as he prepares to get married, but hopes another Grand Prix is in the offing.
“We were looking forward to building off last year’s success,” he said.
“I really hope next year’s committee pushes for a Grand Prix. They’re good for the club, they showcase the sport, spectators and Bermudians love them. I really hope we can make it an annual event.”
In the meantime, speed fans should head east to Clearwater.
“You’ve got action-packed racing, you can get up close and personal with the drivers in the pits for only $5,” Mr Barnes said.
“Grab lunch and come and watch a few hours of exciting racing. You’ve got the beautiful beach right across the street, so you can make a day of it with the family.
“It’s a cheap day, it’s a few hours of excitement and it’s a family sport.”
Mr Barnes, has won a record 21 titles, including two national class titles at last year’s National Championships, and has made a name for himself in the United States where he has claimed a host of victories.
For anyone thinking about joining the sport, he explained where the passion comes from.
“I started racing when I was 11 and jumped in a kart for the first time,” he said.
“I loved it then. I loved the adrenaline and I loved the competition. I love going fast, I love being bumper to bumper with other karts.
“When I jump in a kart, I forget about the stress of life. Whatever stress is going on in your life, during that 15-minute race, the only thing you’re thinking about is driving that kart.
“It’s everything. It’s my passion.”
Anyone who wants to get involved in karting can contact the Karting Club through Facebook or Instagram. Junior rental karts are available for children to try out, before parents decide whether to invest their money.
“Come down to the track on race days and meet the people,” Mr Barnes said.
“Everyone is friendly down there. People are willing to bring new people into their camps and help them out when they first get started. It’s a very welcoming club.”
