Karting Society set to continue after easing of restrictions

The Kingston Karting Society is hopeful that the easing of restrictions will mean that they are soon able to race again.

Kingston Karting president Jake Belcher says that there is renewed hope that they’ll be able to race again, since the government’s latest  announcements.

He said: “Hopefully with the roadmap set out by the government, motorsport should be able to resume from the 29 March 2021 and we have a test day for the British Universities Karting Championship (BUKC) organised by Club100 Racing on the 4 April 2021 which we are hopeful to be able to attend.

“The first round is scheduled for the 7 April 2021 at the PF International Kart Circuit in Lincolnshire where we hope to be able to attend and compete against other universities from around the UK.”

Belcher went on to mention the difficulties that the society and its members have faced during the pandemic.

He said: “The lockdown has probably affected the members in different ways, in terms of karting, the majority haven’t been able to race since the weekend before the first lockdown almost a year ago. We managed to get one race in with this year’s Freshers in early October but then restrictions were put in place and as yet haven’t been lifted.”

The government also recently announced a winter rescue package for sports in England. Belcher said that this is focused more on large racing venues.

He said: “From my understanding and the information available on the government’s website, the £6 million in funding is for the operators and owners of the UK’s major circuits, the likes of Silverstone, the British Racing Driver’s Club and MotorSport Vision who own six tracks across the UK.

“My interpretation of this is that the funding will help support the circuits fixed expenses and maintenance costs but may not go further down the ladder to provide much support to local club racing and karting however I may be wrong with this.”

Belcher went on to clarify that the Karting Society isn’t affected by this funding.

He said: “With regards to how it affects the University Karting Kociety, our funding comes from student memberships and funding provided by the Union of Kingston Students and as such doesn’t impact our funding.”