Shannon Caisey proved unstoppable in the Mini Bike Open class on Sunday, picking up two wins as the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club began their 2001-02 season at Southside Raceway.

Caisey's victories were perhaps an omen for the GP class in which he also competed and collected two wins.

The club have moved racing from Clearwater back to Southside for safety reasons and a large turnout in most classes brought some exciting racing.

Running a new race format this year with a qualifying race and two points races, it all began with the Mini Bikes where last year's champion Paulo Silva took second place after battling with the Tumbridge brothers for the runner-up spots as Jonathan edged Joshua for third.

The Mini Bike class is now split with the under 14-year-old racers in the junior class and the Open class containing the older riders.

Termel Wolfe took the qualifier among the juniors and then battled with Andre Jones in heat one with Jones taking first place. However, Jones suffered mechanical difficulties in heat two and Wolfe romped home with newcomer Jonathan Cabral a distant second.

Many racers have taken the opportunity to move up to Grand Prix from Stock and Formula and so only two competitors took to the tarmac for Stock/Modified, with Neville Latham and Glenn Mello both aboard Kawasaki AR 80 machines. Latham proved the stronger and swept the day.

In scooters, a large field saw the return of two-time reigning champions, the Cycles International team, but this day proved they will have stiff competition in the form of Davon Bailey who just returned from racing in Spain.

Bailey was fast on the track and took both races after an off-track excursion had cost him pole position in the qualifying heat. Mark Lightbourn took second and newcomer Edward Cook third on an unusual racing scooter, a Malaguti Firefox.

Grand Prix B was a two-horse battle between Honda mounted reigning champion Alex Dowling and newcomer Vince Belboda. They split the races and tied on points.

Pole sitter Patrick Goening suffered mechanical gremlins and so third place went to Billy Dunn, closely chased by Dennis Wilson who only secured a ride at the last minute.

Caisey was again uncatchable as David Jones took a comfortable second from a rusty Grant Goudge.

Next race day is November 4.