Bermuda’s premier karting export Scott Barnes made an emphatic return to the cockpit this weekend, launching his 2026 campaign with a dominant display at the 28th anniversary of the Florida Winter Tour.
Competing at the Orlando Kart Center, the Maranello Karts USA driver signaled his intent early in the ROK Shifter Masters division, proving that he remains the man to beat on the North American circuit.
Barnes, affectionately known as "Skitchy," showed little signs of off-season rust during the Friday morning practice sessions. Navigating the technical Orlando layout, he clocked the second-fastest lap time of 5:53.02 in the combined Shifter Masters and Super Master field.
The Bermudian veteran found even more speed as the day progressed, topping the charts during the "Happy Hour" session. Barnes laid down a blistering fastest lap of 52.61 to lead the field into the competitive portion of the weekend.
The momentum carried into the crucial qualifying session, where Barnes secured a front-row start. He posted an eight-lap cumulative time of 7:25.24 to claim second on the grid, setting the stage for a physical opening heat.
In Heat 1, Barnes demonstrated his trademark racecraft and defensive prowess. Over the course of 13 laps, he managed the gap to the chasing pack with clinical precision, crossing the line first with a total time of 11:32.12 to secure maximum points from the opening encounter.
The performance marks a perfect start for Barnes as he embarks on his first full-season assault on the ROK Cup Florida Winter Tour, having previously focused his efforts on the SKUSA Winter Series.
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