Jason “Skuzzie” North takes great satisfaction in giving back in his role as Bermuda Karting Club race director.

He has, however, been fighting the urge to jump in his kart and throw down some fast laps during the club’s fortnightly race days at Rubis Southside Raceway.

North, who has been racing for about 30 years, took the position at the BKC’s end-of-season awards in May and will oversee the fourth race day of the season this weekend.

“I’ve taken a step back from racing this year so I could help the club and give back,” said North, a former BKC president.

“I plan on doing a few races here and there throughout the season. I’m still part of a team and I’m sure we’ll make an appearance now and again and take them by surprise!

“My main focus is on race directing and keeping the race days flowing smoothly.”

Although North would love to be challenging for the chequered flag, he felt it was his responsibility, given his vast experience, to raise his hand when the race director’s position became vacant.

“It’s always hard when you go [to the track] and you’re not actually racing,” said North, who has previous experience as race director several years ago.

“Instead you’re busting your gut to make sure everyone else has a nice, safe time.

“I enjoy the camaraderie and I enjoy the work that goes into it. It’s a big commitment, but it’s all part of the sport and it’s about giving back.”

He added: “[The race director] is the most important role on race day, but you still have the other race officials — the flag marshals, the scoring team and the hot pit area team.

“The way I look at it, the difference between the race director and the president is that the president gets us to the race day and the race director gets us through the race day.

“It couldn’t be done, though, without the other race officials.”

North, who has won more than ten classes in his karting career, believes it is vital that experienced karters such as Scott “Skitchy” Barnes remain heavily involved in the sport,

Barnes stepped down stepped down as BKC president after five years at the helm in May. He was succeeded by Bilal Binns, a fellow Tag Senior driver.

“A change at the helm is sometimes good,” North said. “You don’t want to get into a monotonous situation.

“Scott stepped down, but he’s still a big person behind the scenes. It’s good to put other people in the position [of president] so they can give back to the club well. Scott is still involved in the committee and helps guide the new president because he’s relatively inexperienced. We’re not throwing him to the wolves and so far he’s doing a good job.”

For more information on how to get involved and what the club offers, e-mail bermudakartingclub@yahoo.com or go to the club’s Facebook page.