Racers will brake for fuel

It may be more of a case of how they can last rather than how fast they can go.

The first ever Two hour Endurance Race will take place on Saturday at the Bermuda Motorsports Park at Southside.

So far five teams have signed up for the event but Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club president Cyril Whitter believes they will end up with at least 10 teams toeing the line on race day.

This event will be the first of three in a series, which will run from February through April of this year.  

The teams can consist of up to four riders, but Whitter is going it alone in the Superbike Class as Team Energizer Bunny.

“I’m hoping at least 10 teams will register but at this time we have five teams signed up. I know of an additional three teams at this point who said they will be taking part who were not able to attend Wednesday’s meeting.

“Our goal is to get another two to hit our expectation for the event.”

Teams can enter in either the Superminis Class (Under 125cc) or the Superbikes Class (GP 125s, Formula Extreme or Superbike 600).

Each winning team of this race will take home bragging rights and cash purse of $250 each.  

Because it is a two-hour race, riders will have to pull into the pits to refuel, which will add another dynamic to the day’s racing.

The Superbike registered teams are Team Energizer Bunny, Team Green, Team Honda, and Team Nuff Style Racing.

There is only one Supermini entry, Place Racing Team.

Whitter said: “Personally, as a racer I am looking forward to it. I’ve been speaking to a lot of the racers looking to take part and they are all excited.

“We have some teams where are only two individuals and some where there are three, but everybody is stroked to see what it is going to be like to run their first endurance event.

“But two hours will be a challenge. Everyone is asking about the logistics like when they’re allowed to do their pit stops for refueling and what are the rules surrounding it are.”

He added it is not only the racers who are excited but fans have expressed a high interest in the event.

“They want to come out and see what it is like for the first event.”

Whitter added the three-race Endurance season helps extend the motorcycle racing season by providing something different.

“We’re also looking to get started earlier and have more racing so we have less time off, especially in the winter months where we have a lot of time working on our bikes. So by adding in some additional races of a different type would spur a little more interest.”

He said sprint star Jeneko Place is an example of helping create more buzz as he is back racing after a two-year layoff.

Place will ride with his cousins Tamia and Hayley Place.