Endurance Karting Championship for Bushy Park

Bushy Park Barbados will launch the Caribbean’s first Endurance Rental Karting Championship this year with two Six-Hour races in September and November. Two further ‘Arrive and Drive’ events are planned for next year, ahead of the championship finale, the region’s first-ever round-the-clock motor race, the 24 Hours of Barbados, provisionally scheduled for October 2026.

The championship will be administered by UK-based Cole Clarke Racing (CCR), which has approached the Barbados Karting Association (BKA) to be responsible for raceday organisation. The races are open to drivers aged 16 and over, competing in teams of between four and 10 members and will run on one of the existing layouts used for the BKA Championship.

A maximum of 22 teams divided into Pro and Rookie classes will race identical Sodi RT8 karts powered by Honda GX390 engines and capable of reaching speeds of 60 to 70mph. Sodikart has used lessons from its racing karts, campaigned with success by French Formula 1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc, to create innovative rental karts. With aerodynamic bodywork that replicates racing karts, the RT8 has an integral sliding protection system and adjustable seats and pedals among key safety features.

The race dates for 2025 are Saturday, September 27 and Saturday, November 15. Pro Class karters must have completed more than 10 Karting Experiences at the St Philip facility and Rookie Class karters more than five Karting Experiences. Drivers must be 16 years or older, at least 5 feet (152.4cm) tall and hold a Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) racing licence or international equivalent. Safety equipment, including helmet, neck brace and racing suit, must be worn.

The Entry Fee for a team of up to 6 drivers is BBD $2,550 or GBP £940 for each event; each additional driver (up to 10) will cost a further BBD $45 or GBP £15. This covers the event entry fee, rental of the kart, fuel, one-hour practice session, 10-minute qualifying session, technical support, minor damage repairs and access to a spare kart if required.

CCR boss Andy Clarke said: “This is something the Caribbean has never seen before and we’re excited to be announcing it in the same week that the FIA has confirmed its first ‘Arrive and Drive’ Karting World Cup for this November in Malaysia in its bid to bring more newcomers into the sport.

“In our events, drivers will compete for long stints over the six-hour duration and teams will need effective management of fuel, pit stops, driver changes and to be able to adapt to changing track conditions. Think you've got what it takes to go the distance? Then come have a go. Race as a team, plan your strategy, and fight for every lap. At the end of six hours, the team with the most laps completed wins . . . and that could be you.”

Further details can be found at www.coleclarkeracing.co.uk or www.bushyparkbarbados.com/cole-clarke-racing-6-hour-endurance-karting

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