Scott Barnes is determined to introduce more young drivers to karting in order to keep the sport alive in Bermuda.

In a direct response to concerns over the lack of junior drivers last year, the Bermuda Karting Club actively tried to attract younger members by setting up a dedicated junior programme last year.

While the initiative has reaped rewards with increasing numbers among the Cadet class in that time, Barnes, the president of the club, is refusing to rest on his laurels as he aims to attract more young drivers to the Southside Raceway.

“The club has race-ready rental karts for drivers aged six to 12 years old that want to try the sport out,” he said. “It costs $150 a raceday but we provide everything from equipment to gas and someone to help them out.

“We feel it’s a great way for anyone to try out the sport before they think about potentially buying their own kart. We have six karts available that can help children to come in and get started with racing very easily.

“We also have another junior class from 12 to 15 years old. We don’t have rental karts for that class but we really want to encourage more younger drivers to come out and get started.

“We had 37 karts in total racing across all classes on Sunday, which was fantastic to see, and so the club is in good shape but we want to encourage as many as possible to join and get racing with us for the future.”

Five young drivers took to the track across the Junior and Cadet classes on Sunday as action returned with the third round of the National Championships.

In the Junior class, Jonah Moniz was in fine form, winning all three heats, beating Roman Wilkinson in the first two races and Lucas Flood in the third to complete a clean sweep.

In the Cadets class, Tanner Correia came out on top against the only other competitor, Syah Pedro, winning two of the three races.

There was also a dominant performance from Jason North in the Tag class, completing a flawless outing. Brian Bulhoes was forced to settle for second place in each of the races, with Jayden Brimmer claiming two third-place finishes.

North also claimed a race win in the L206 class but was ultimately beaten to overall victory by Barnes, who took the chequered flag in the opening two heats. David Selley finished third in each.

Barnes’s success did not finish there as he also proved victorious in the Stock Shifter class, holding off stiff competition from Ryan Burgess and John Carreiro. Barnes took the honours in the first and final race, with Burgess winning the second.

Brandon Franks prevailed in the KZ class, winning two out of the three races, while Ryan Rebello also picked up a race victory. Blake Horseman also gave a strong performance, claiming two second-place finishes and a third.

Of the two competitors in the L206 Masters class, Kenneth Harrison came out on top, edging Patrick Stamper in all three heats.