THREE generations of a go-karting family have been hand-picked by the Bahamas government for an all-expenses paid trip to celebrate the sport on the island.
David Cleal, 63, his son-in-law, Warren Kent, 34, and his two young sons, Bradley and Lewis, are all part of the Formula Kart Stars team, who race go-karts at British tracks.
When Warren and Bradley were ranked in the top 12 of their age groups in this country, the Bahamian government invited the pair, along with their sponsor and mechanic, David – for an all-expenses-paid trip to the country's Festival of Speed this month.
Lewis, 13, was later invited as a guest driver to take part in the race known as the hill climb.
Eleven-year-old Bradley said: "I was really happy when we found out.
"We have all been to Belgium, Ireland and Scotland, and all over the country, but never to somewhere like the Bahamas."
The White Notley family race under the team name G4 Racing, representing the four generations of their family who have competed in go-karts.
The boys' great-grandfather started the family tradition.
"The best thing about it is that it's fun overtaking someone and going fast – if you get in the slipstream of someone when you're going down the straight, you can catch them really quickly," said Bradley who, along with his older brother Lewis, has accepted a scholarship to the prestigious Gosfield School for their go-karting achievements.
The selected drivers and mechanics will be visiting schools around the country to teach children about racing and to help them build their own Billy Kart – a motor-less go-kart that is raced downhill and can reach speeds of up to 30mph.
They will then compete in races throughout the two weeks against other selected drivers from around the world.
Warren, who used to be a semi-professional motor car driver and now races for the Formula Kart Stars senior group, said: "I started racing quite late in racing terms – when I was about 17 – but as soon as the boys were walking they were bought quad bikes and battery-operated cars.
"We thought we had the opportunity to have half of the family paid for and we would never be able to do it again, so we said we would bite the bullet and get all of us out there."
Warren's wife, Paula, and their two younger sons, Nathan and Zak, will also be joining the boys at their exclusive resort for two weeks.
Paula said: "There's a bit of a dynasty going on here. It's always been the life for them – they are really lucky, but they are also very talented."
