Overseas Drivers To Race In Lindo’s Grand Prix
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Six international karting drivers will head to the island to pit themselves against the best of Bermuda in the Lindo’s Grand Prix next weekend [April 22 and 23].
Overseas drivers Robert Bujdoso, Jeff Dolian, Rob Howden, Christian Oldhafer, Cadence Presley and Paul Rice will join 36 local competitors in the island’s first street race for six years.
Scott Barnes, the Bermuda Karting Club president, believes the overseas contingent – the largest to have raced in a local Grand Prix – will add an intriguing element to the event, which includes six classes.
“We had one international driver compete in the Dockyard Grand Prix and one in the Front Street Grand Prix back in the day, but we’ve never had this many,” Barnes told Bernews.
“We reached out to some of the drivers we know overseas. The hardest thing was getting karts for them. Hopefully, we can bring down more guys in future years.
“There will be three overseas drivers in the L0206 Masters – it will feel like Bermuda versus the rest of the world!
“All our local drivers will want to beat these guys and show them this is our home turf. It will elevate our performances.”
It is expected the new circuit in north-east Hamilton – including Court Street, Dundonald Street and Princess Street – will be more conducive to overtaking, with race organisers hoping the event will attract the biggest crowd so far for a local Grand Prix.
“This will be a course no one has driven before,” said Barnes, who will race in the Tag Seniors, LO206 Seniors and Shifters.
“We will have three practice sessions on Saturday before we get into qualifying. Guys must learn the track fast and prepare to take on something different.
“Whenever I put my helmet on, I want to win, but the main thing is everyone stays safe. I want the ambulance to stay in its parked position all weekend.”
Barnes said more than $40,000 had been garnered through sponsorship to hold the event, with all extra proceeds going towards the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.
“It’s taken a lot of organising and effort,” he added. “We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, especially Lindo’s – our title sponsor.”
Meanwhile, Barnes survived a scare while competing in the Gilbert Lamb Fun Day go-kart race in St David’s on Good Friday.
The 38-year-old careered off the road and into a ditch after he collided with race winner Chris Pitcher.
Barnes was leading the annual race, which involves drivers racing homemade karts, at the time of the incident.
“It was a crazy ride!” Barnes said. “It was my fifth time participating in the race – I’m still yet to win it!
“I almost won. I took a bump towards the end of the race, which was unlucky.”
Drivers’ list and classes
Tag Seniors
- Will Dunkley
- Jayden Brimmer
- Scott Barnes
- Bilal Binns
- Brian Bulhoes
- Blake Horseman
- Stephen Corrado
Cadet
- Syah Pedro
- Tanner Correia
- Austin Frank
- Sadie Hocking
LO206 Seniors
- David Barbosa
- Scott Barnes
- Brian Bulhoes
- Robert Bujdoso*
- Jesse Moniz
- Jason North
- Nick Jagoda
- Chris Bonard
- Marc Tucker
- Justin Lindo
- Brian Hall
LO206 Masters
- David Barbosa
- Robert Wheatley
- Jeff Dolian*
- Rob Howden*
- Jeff Sousa
- Ed Cook
- Richard Walker-Talbot
- Paul Rice*
Tag Juniors
- Jonah Moniz
- Lucas Flood
- Roman Wilkinson
- Cadence Presley*
Shifters
- Shannon Caisey
- Scott Barnes
- John Carreiro Jr
- Blake Horseman
- Christian Oldhafer*
- Jason Correia
- Jorja Thomas
- Jason DeCouto
- Brandon Frank
*International drivers
