With the countdown on to the start of Bahamas Speed Week, 18 members of the UK Formula Kart Stars and their families and chaperones arrived in Nassau today (November 23) on a two-fold mission — to help revive the sport of karting in The Bahamas and to get local students as excited about the art of the kart as they are.
The champion Formula Kart Stars will take to the track at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium Sunday for serious competition in their racing machines. The event that runs from noon to 3 pm is sponsored by the award-winning BOB, Latin Trade and the Vlasov family. It is free and open to the public.
During the week, karters will visit various Nassau schools, some of which have already started building karts, getting ready to roll in a sport whose history was largely written in The Bahamas. The first karting world championship took place in Nassau in 1959.
“We are really excited about the karting element this year,” said Speed Week Director David McLaughlin. “The public got a taste of it last year and we think with the arrival of these national heroes from the UK and the involvement of local schools, karting will capture the imagination and attention of people of all ages throughout The Bahamas. It’s one of those sports that never gets old.”
Schools participating in the kart-building competition will show their karts the following weekend during the main events of Bahamas Speed Week at Arawak Cay. Speed Week gets underway officially on Wednesday, November 28 and runs through Sunday, December 2 with a slew of activities, sprints, hill climbs, Paddock Club and Pictet Ball and Auction of Promises with proceeds from the auction going to various Bahamian charities.
One of the most highly-anticipated events on the schedule is the 007 Island Tour when exotic and classic race cars zoom around the island, with road closures as they pass, pedal to the medal at speeds exceeding 100 mph while onlookers rush from schools, businesses, offices and homes to watch the parade of power through the streets of New Providence. (www.bahamasspeedweek.com)
Diane Phillips and Associates
Raring to ride — Summit Academy is among several Nassau schools building karts, thanks to a kart revival effort being led by Bahamas Speed Week. A free karting event sponsored by BOB, Latin Trade and the Vlasov family is set for Sunday, November 25 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium with 18 champion karters and their serious racing machines spinning, zipping and zooming around the track starting at noon. (Photo by Jazmine McPhee, DP&A)
