Ashley Barnes is now enjoying life in Bermuda, she is the wife of Scott Barnes and the newest member of the Bermuda Karting Association, she made her maiden appearance on the Track at the Motor Sports Park in Southside. Barnes has taken time out to do her first interview in Bermuda with www.islandstats.com who was at the track to witness the action. Today we bring you Part One a Two Part Interview with Barnes
Q. How long have you raced?
A. Well I recently turned 23 and I’ve been racing since I was eleven years old so roughly 12 years. I have been racing karts that long and have competed in some national circuits including The snap-on Stars of Karting, SKUZA, and a road race called the Supernationals at Road America in Elkhardt Lake Wisconsin. I have also completed the 3 day skip barber course and I was entered into the Red Bull Drivers Search of 2003 where I continued to the Semi-final round (not to mention the only female) which was held in Sebring, FL. I also worked for the Snap-on Stars of Karting Series as the Parc Ferme director during the summer months from 2005-2007.
Q. Is Karting your first love?
A. I wouldn't say Karting is my first love although I would say that Karting is my drive and passion in life. Growing up I played alot of sports; everything from soccer, softball, ran track, cheerleading, rode dirt bikes, snowboarding, and of course racing. Sports have made me who I am, I may be a small girl but I will compete until I die. I thrive on competition and the thrill of winning, I like to prove to the boys that I'm just as good if not better than them. Since moving to Bermuda in December of 2007 I picked up the game of snooker, I played one season of it and enjoyed it but it's not physical enough for me and I wasn't focused enough to take the time needed to perfect the game. I recently joined a boxing class which I’m enjoying very much, I like being able to prove myself, whether it be to a girl standing next to me, my trainer, or myself. Karting is by far my favorite sport, and yes it is a sport. Alot of people think it doesn't take talent or physical fitness to race, well they are all wrong. I have been out of the Karting scene for a while and will admit I’m quite "rusty" I know what I need to do to be fast but my body isn't letting me, I have to build up my endurance and my physical fitness to be able to reach the top again. Karting is not only physically challenging but also mentally, you have to think faster then you've ever thought before; your reflexes have to be faster than in any other sport, you have to be able to dive to the inside of a corner or avoid a crash accidents don’t happen in a matter of min in racing they happen in seconds.
Q. How do you rate the track at Southside?
A. I like that Southside is ever-changing. Every week we can race a different track and that puts everyone on a level playing field. The only disadvantage I would say is that dirt bike dust. Our track gets so filled with rubble and sand that we can never build what we call "grip" which helps you save tires and have better control of the Kart. Other then that the track is perfect for what we use it for.
