Carreiro: ‘I’m loving life back behind the wheel’

John Carreiro Jnr is back after a 12-year break  and says the packed starting grid at the Southside circuit has reignited his love of racing karts.

The 30-year-old is fighting for position in the Shifter 125 Class once again following some time out from the sport. 

Inspired by the resurgence of the Bermuda Karting Club, a desire to experience the thrill of race day again has got him back behind the wheel.

The comeback driver was also recently voted in as the club’s new vice-president to give    president Scott ‘Skitchy’ Barnes help. 

Expanding the youth programme and the return of a Hamilton race day are top of the agenda.

Carreiro Jnr, of Smith’s, says it’s great to be back in the thick of things.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “I guess there comes a point when you feel you want to do something a little more exciting, a little out of the ordinary.

“You get in a life routine and you want to try something different again. 

“I knew I was good back then [when I was younger] so I’m just trying to get back in.”

College, work and married life meant the past 12 years have been far from dull but he feels now is the perfect time to get his competitive juices flowing again as well as giving something back to the local karting scene.

He said: “I started with Scott, we used to race down at the Naval Annex years ago and then they reformed and we got a track at Southside. This was 1997, then we all started back up. I was 14 and then all our dads pushed us into it.

“I’ve always watched karting and seeing what Scott was doing with the club, I wanted to help. And then eventually helping got into driving and I was voted in as vice president two weeks ago to help out Scott, trying to get this youth programme going again. 

“We have six rental karts and they are available to any kids five and up.”

Carreiro Jnr, who works for his dad’s construction company, Sea Link Construction, says the sport gives youngsters a great chance to learn about ‘problem solving’ and taking on challenges.

For him, personally, the  buzz of getting back behind the wheel was unmistakable.

“When I left I don’t remember having 12 Shifter karts on the grid,” he said. “It was pretty crazy having all that noise – it brought the butterflies on.”

He added: “It’s just that high-speed turn when you drift around the corner, that feeling you get going around — that definitely brought back memories.”

Racing continues on Sunday at Southside at 12:15pm. Youngsters who want to try out the rental karts — priced $50 —  should get down to the track for 10am. 

For more details go to www.bermudakartingclub.com, the club’s Facebook page or email president Scott ‘Skitchy’ Barnes at [email protected]