Engines Roar as Motocross Defies the Chill at Coney Island
IslandStats.com
The silence of the nature reserve was shattered by the thunderous return of motocross to its spiritual home, as thousands of spectators "tilted" Coney Island for the first leg of the Pink Sand Scramble 2.0.
Despite a "cold blast of Canadian air" that brought a distinctly wintry feel to the island, the atmosphere remained white-hot as local heroes and international professionals braved the breezy conditions to tackle the technical dirt circuit.
Organised by 27-year-old Bermudian professional Jyire Mitchell, the event marked a triumphant follow-up to last year’s historic return to the park.
The challenging course, designed to utilize the natural environment rather than a man-made track, drew high praise from a trio of American professionals who made the trip to compete for the $10,000 purse.
With riders ranging in age from youth divisions to seasoned veterans like Kenneth Matthie, the event lived up to its billing as a community-driven spectacle that bridged generations of racing fans. As the breeze whipped off the North Shore, the resilience of the crowd reflected the enduring appeal of a sport that hasn't seen regular action at this venue in over two decades.
While the festive weekend’s weather has remained "chilly and cloudy," the energy at Coney Island provided a much-needed jolt of adrenaline. The engines are set to roar again this coming Sunday, January 4, for the final leg of the series, where champions will be crowned across all divisions.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Thrills & Chills as Southside Dominates Boxing Day Calendar
IslandStats.com
The roar of engines and the scent of high-octane fuel replaced traditional Christmas carols at Southside Motor Sports Park as the Bermuda Motocross Association held its iconic Boxing Day showcase on a chilly day.
Spectators lined the perimeter of the track in St. David’s, witnessing a masterclass in dirt-track racing that saw seasoned veterans and rising stars alike brave the dusty, technical terrain.
The younger divisions set a blistering pace early in the afternoon. In the PeeWee Class, Diego Daniels showcased remarkable composure to take the top spot on the podium, holding off a determined Jackson Amaro and Eli Philpott.
The 50cc Division was equally hard-fought, with A’kyo Cannonier delivering a clinical performance to secure the win ahead of Kaden Bean-Wolfe and Daniels, who pulled double duty to earn a third-place finish. In the 65cc category, Cassidy Spencer-Furbert dominated the field, followed closely by King Clarke and Rome Dill, while Henry Stevens-Carty and Ade Stovell rounded out a highly competitive top five.
As the track conditions grew more challenging, the 85cc and Novice classes provided some of the day's most dramatic overtakes. A’jahni Foggo emerged as a dual-threat powerhouse, claiming Gold in both Divisions.
In the 85cc race, Foggo stayed ahead of Azai Burt and Jaylon Glasford, with Tinho Tucker Wall and Mazaii Tucker finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Foggo’s momentum carried directly into the Novice Class, where he fended off Mikah Alves and Grae Trott Edness. Deige Paynter and Burt secured the final two positions in a race that saw several lead changes in the closing laps.
The veteran and elite classes proved that experience is often the greatest asset at Southside. The Over 30 division was a tactical battle won by Lorenzo Burch, who edged out Dillon Carreiro and Willem Vermeulen.
Meanwhile, Ben Zoeller reigned supreme in the Over 40s, leading a veteran pack that included Dupray Joell and Jason Harrell.
The day concluded with the high-speed Expert class, where Allan DeGraff put on a clinic in precision riding. DeGraff took the chequered flag ahead of Zico Majors and Jazuri Easton-Thompson, with Aaron Cannonier finishing fourth to cap off a memorable day of festive racing that once again proved why motocross remains a cornerstone of Bermuda's holiday tradition.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Divine’s "Road to MotoGP" Fueled by Bermudian Support
IslandStats.com
Bermudian teenager Aeziah Divine has hailed the support of his sponsors as he continues his ascent in the R&G British Talent Cup (BTC), describing his journey as a long-term dream that began nearly seven years ago.
Divine, 15, moved to the UK with his family in 2018 to follow the Bennetts British Superbike Championship more closely, with the specific goal of reaching the BTC—a prestigious feeder series for world-level competition. "With no connections to the paddock, we had no idea how we’d ever pull it off," Divine admitted.
The road to professional racing has been far from straightforward for the Divine family, who took a significant risk by leaving the island to pursue international opportunities. However, the young rider's progress has been made possible through a network of sponsors, including Bermuda-based insurance firm Relm.
Known for its focus on emerging industries, Relm specializes in providing insurance solutions for businesses in dynamic sectors such as Web3, AI, Alternative Medicine, Biotech, and the Space Economy. Their resilient insurance products are designed to address complex financial, professional, and emerging risks, allowing innovators to thrive in high-stakes environments.
"I’m so grateful to them for their support on this journey," Divine said of the partnership.
Currently racing for Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing, Divine has enjoyed a landmark season, securing consistent points finishes at circuits like Snetterton and Thruxton. His transition from local karting tracks to full-size 250cc machinery has been marked by a steep learning curve, including mastering the Honda NSF250R and adapting to iconic British GP tracks like Silverstone.
As the 2025 season draws to a close, Divine has already re-signed with MLav Racing for another campaign, with his sights set on breaking into the top ten in 2026. His long-term ambition remains reaching the FIM JuniorGP World Championship as he continues his dedicated climb toward the pinnacle of the sport.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Barnes Reflects on a Historic 2025 Karting Campaign
IslandStats.com
Bermudian karting legend Scott Barnes has labeled his 2025 season one of his most successful to date, following a dominant international campaign that saw him secure a fourth consecutive championship title and tick a major "bucket list" item off his career goals.
Competing across nine international race weekends, the Maranello Karts USA driver amassed an impressive haul of eight final wins and seven additional podium finishes.
The season ignited in early 2025 at the SKUSA Winter Tour in Orlando, Florida. Despite facing a deeply personal challenge following the loss of his dog just days before the opener, Barnes channeled his emotions into the track.
He delivered a clinical performance across the four-round series, winning three out of the first four rounds and securing a third-place finish in the other. This consistency powered him to his fourth consecutive SKUSA Winter Tour Shifter Masters championship, a feat he described as "pretty cool" for his team and sponsors.
While his championship defense was a highlight, Barnes’ most significant milestone came at North America’s largest street race: the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix in Illinois.
Competing in seven different classes over the Labor Day weekend, Barnes achieved a career breakthrough by winning the prestigious King of the Streets final in the Shifter Masters class. It was a title that had eluded him since he began racing at "The Rock" in 2001.
"Ticking that off the bucket list was pretty big," Barnes admitted. "I’ve won several classes since 2001 but never the King of the Streets. I’d have taken that at the start of the year!". Alongside the premier crown, he secured three other titles that weekend, including the Ignite 100 Masters and Open Shifters, bringing his career total at the event to 14.
Barnes also maintained a high standard on the SKUSA Pro Tour, competing in six rounds across three weekends. While he was unable to defend his overall title from the previous year, he remained a constant threat at the front of the pack, securing one victory and three additional podiums to finish third overall in the championship.
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Duke Soares Memorial Trophy Day Delivers Competitive Action
IslandStats.com
The Duke Soares Memorial Trophy Day, Race Day #7 of the Bermuda Rubis Energy Karting Championship, was held at the Southside Motor Sports Raceway.
The event honoured the late Duke Soares, founder of the Bermuda Karting Association.
Soares, along with four others, established the association in 1976 to meet Bermuda’s growing passion for motorsport. Nearly 50 years later, that passion remains strong, with approximately 40 karts competing on a typical race day. The third memorial event since his passing was held under cloudy skies, with rain holding off to allow racing to proceed.
A total of 11 karts competed in the L206 Senior class. Jason North demonstrated consistency throughout the day, securing first place in all three heats. Scott Barnes finished second in heats two and three, while Owen DeCosta claimed second in heat one. David Barbosa maintained steady form with third-place finishes across all three heats.
Richard Walker Talbot captured first place in heat one of the L206 Masters Class. Heats two and three saw Ed Cook take the top position, with Richard Walker Talbot finished third in both races.
The final heat of the day in the TAG Senior Class featured a dramatic battle for second place in the closing laps between Blake Horseman and Ryan Burgess, with Burgess ultimately securing the position and Scott Barnes claiming first place.
Heats two and three finished with identical standings. Heat one saw Horseman take the win, followed by Barnes in second and Jorja Thomas in third.
Tanner Correia dominated the TAG Junior class with first-place finishes in all three heats. Syah Pedro finished second in heat one and third in heats two and three, while Jonathan Lindberg placed third in heat one and second in heats two and three.
In the Shifter Class heat one, Ryan Burgess led every lap to take first, followed by Ryan Rebello in second and Blake Horseman in third. Heat two saw Ryan Rebello lead all laps, with Burgess second and Horseman third. Burgess returned to the top spot in heat three, with Ryan Rebello second and Barnes finishing third.
In the KZ Master Class Jason DeCouto claimed first place in heats one and two and finished second in heat three. William Dunkley placed second in heat one and third in heats two and three. Rian Lindo secured third in heat one, second in heat two, and took the win in heat three.
