Bexley Kart Club needs new home after being forced to leave Beths Grammar School base of 23 years

Bexley Kart Club used to be known as Beths Kart Club when they were run out of Beths Grammar School in Hartford Road, Bexley.

But they had to change their name after being told they were no longer welcome to use the school as a base for storing their equipment and giving younger members their first taste of karting.

Tim Johnson, 44, is an assistant team leader at the club for 11-18-year-olds, whose 10 drivers include his sons Max, 15, and Toby, 13.

The engineer told News Shopper: "It’s a scary situation and it could be the case that it dies out.

"The parents love racing, there’s no dispute about that, but we also like getting kids into it.

"This won’t stop existing members from racing but it will stop us getting new members into the club.

"Obviously when a child gets to 18 they have to retire from the series we race in.

Bexley Kart Club needs a new home.

"We can’t get new people in because we don’t have anywhere to show them how to drive in a safe area, which we would normally do on the school grounds."

The club has now been offered a temporary home for six months by Sidcup Youth Centre in Burnt Oak Lane, but may need to look elsewhere after that.

Mr Johnson said: "Beths never charged us anything but now we are looking at paying a couple of grand a year in rent to get somewhere else which is going to crucify us.

"We are looking for a new home and for help in finding sponsorship."

A Beths Grammar School spokesman said: "With fewer Beths students taking part in the club and a loss of race venues in the south east, it was no longer viable for us to host it as an extra-curricular activity.

"We feel the best way forward for the club is to re-establish itself as a group for the wider community, not just Beths students.

"We will still encourage our students to join the club and hope it finds a new venue soon."

If you think you may be able to help Bexley Kart Club, e-mail karting@bethskartclub.co.uk