The Bermuda Karting Club will have to wait at least until next year to be granted national governing body status.

The association submitted its application to the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport seeking government recognition which also makes its members eligible for various other awards.

However, it was submitted past the deadline and will not be vetted until March 2023.

It is believed that karting’s status kept Scott Barnes from consideration for 2021 Male Athlete of the Year after a stellar international season.

“We were too far past the deadline for them to recognise us for 2022,” Barnes, the BKC president, told The Royal Gazette. “The Bermuda Karting Club won’t be recognised for 2022.”

According to the ministry’s Sport Recognition Policy Overview timeline for 2022, the application period for national governing body status opened on January 7.

Applications and all supporting documents had to be submitted by February 28.

Applications were either approved or not approved on March 11, with successful candidates being granted government recognition in April.

Meanwhile, the 2022-23 karting season is set to begin on September 11 and will run until April 30.

A total of 15 races are scheduled, including five trophy race days, with all racing taking place at Bermuda Motorsports Park at Southside, St David's.

“We have a 15-race championship season this year and we are really excited to kick off our season on September 11,” Barnes said.

The BKC president is particularly excited by a new incentive geared towards bolstering a burgeoning youth development programme during the upcoming campaign.

“Last year we had a lot of new drivers come in and we are definitely concentrating on getting young junior drivers involved with the sport,” he said.

The association has created the Junior Cadet Class featuring drivers aged 6 to 12.

Karts can be rented for the entire day for $150 in a package that includes other racing accessories.

“We have these rental karts that are available for juniors 6 to 12 who can to come try it,” Barnes added.

“The club provides everything — fuel, helmet, safety gear. So any junior that is interested in karting, we definitely want them to contact us and get involved.”

Barnes was encouraged to see the number of juniors involved last year increase.

“We had nine new junior drivers in that class, which was great,” he said.

“This year four of those drivers will be stepping up to the Tag Junior Class. So they have got their own karts and are starting the process of working their way up to the adult class, which is great to see.”

The association is also eager to bolster membership among the senior ranks.

“Shifter Class is growing and we have split it into two classes — stock and a modified class,” Barnes added.

“We had great numbers last season. I think we were averaging around 35 drivers last season, so we are definitely trying to improve on that this season and get more adults and juniors involved.

“We‘re just excited to get back racing and anyone new in the sport, juniors and adults, that want to get involved, please contact us.

“We can help adults get involved, too. There are plenty of second-hand karts on the island that are available for sale.

“Overall, we are just excited and looking to grow the sport and looking forward to getting new people involved in the sport of karting.”

• For more details e-mail BermudaKartingClub@yahoo.com