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Sunday, January 18, 2026
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Barnes takes Silver in Florida & Rubis Championship Heats Up
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Bermuda’s Scott Barnes secured a hard-fought second-place finish at the 28th anniversary of the Florida Winter Tour, while back home, over 40 drivers took to the track for a packed day of domestic racing.
At the Orlando Kart Center, the final of the ROK Shifter Masters Division was moved forward to 08:50 local time to evade an incoming storm. Starting from pole after his dominant Saturday, Barnes suffered a sluggish launch off the line which saw him drop to second. Despite a valiant effort to regain the lead over the 18-lap final, the Maranello Karts USA driver was unable to find a way past.
"I think I was still not fully awake cause second was all I had today," Barnes admitted. "I ran the fastest times of the final, but a bad launch put me in second and that is where I stayed. I made two good runs at the leader, but a couple of small mistakes were the difference."
On island, the Bermuda Karting Association (BKA) hosted Race #9 of the Rubis Energy Karting Championship. The L206 Senior class provided the biggest grid of the day with 14 competitors. Jason North claimed the top spot on the podium, followed by Robert Wheatley and Owen DeCosta.
The midfield provided the most intense drama of the afternoon, particularly in Heat Three. A five-way battle for sixth place saw Jessie Moniz lead Lucas Bridges, Justin Lindo, Chris Smith, and Matthew Smith across the line in quick succession. The class also celebrated two successful debuts, with Jonathan Smith and Sir DeVent completing all three heats in their first competitive outings.
The KZ Shifter class—the fastest category on the calendar—saw 14 karts reach blistering speeds. The opening heat was marred by an early incident that forced one driver to withdraw from the remainder of the event.
International guest driver A.J. Myers, hailing from North Carolina, showed his class by winning Heat One ahead of Blake Horseman and Ryan Burgess. However, the momentum shifted in the later rounds, with Ryan Rebello and Stephen Corrado joining Horseman in the top three for the final two heats. In the KZ Masters division, Jason DeCouto was the model of consistency, winning all three heats ahead of William Dunkley.
The Cadet and Junior classes showcased the next generation of Bermudian talent. Tanner Correia enjoyed a perfect day, winning all three heats in the Cadet class ahead of Jacob Garrett, before also leading the field in the TAG Junior division. Syah Pedro, Alondro Albouy, and Jonathan Linberg followed Correia home in the TAG Junior standings.
In the TAG Senior Division, the hierarchy remained largely unchanged for the first two heats, with Ryan Burgess, Blake Horseman, Jorja Thomas, and Jonah Moniz locking out the top four. Horseman finally broke Burgess’s streak in Heat Three, taking a hard-earned victory to close out the weekend.
Click Here to see the Full 2026 Race #9 of the Rubis Energy Karting Championship Results
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
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Barnes on the Brink of Glory at Orlando Kart Center
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Bermuda’s premier karting export Scott Barnes is firmly in the hunt for silverware after a dominant Saturday at the 28th anniversary of the Florida Winter Tour.
Competing in the ROK Shifter Masters division at the Orlando Kart Center, the Maranello Karts USA driver produced a masterclass in consistency and pace. Barnes ended the day as the man to beat, securing high-profile victories in both the third heat and the crucial Pre-Final.
The performance serves as a statement of intent for Barnes, who has committed to the full ROK Cup schedule for the first time in his career after years of dominance in the SKUSA Winter Series.
After a solid morning practice where he clocked the third-fastest lap 55.09, Barnes quickly shifted into another gear as the competitive sessions began.
In Heat 2, he engaged in a tactical battle over 13 laps to claim second place. However, it was Heat 3 where he truly stamped his authority on the field, taking the chequered flag after 12 laps with a total time of 10:47.38.
He carried that momentum directly into the Pre-Final. Starting from a position of strength, Barnes navigated the technical Orlando circuit flawlessly over 16 laps to secure the win 14:21.68 and, more importantly, pole position for Sunday's main event.
Speaking to IslandStats.com following his Pre-Final triumph, a buoyant Barnes praised his technical team for providing him with a championship-caliber machine.
"Good day today—three races, second in Heat 2, and wins in Heat 3 and the Pre-Final," Barnes said. "The kart is ready to do battle tomorrow morning in the final! It's going to be a hard-fought race. Let’s go!"
Barnes was also quick to credit his partners: "Maranello Kart has been awesome all weekend and Carblos Racing Engines have been fast as always."
With the Pre-Final victory under his belt, Barnes has put himself in the ideal position to claim the Round 1 title tomorrow morning.
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Friday, January 16, 2026
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Barnes Sets the Pace at Florida Winter Tour Opener
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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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Thursday, January 15, 2026
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Barnes Ready to 'Bang Gears' as Florida Winter Tour Kicks Off
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Bermuda’s premier karting export Scott Barnes is back in the driver’s seat this weekend as he launches his 2026 campaign at the 28th anniversary of the Florida Winter Tour.
Competing at the Orlando Kart Center, the Maranello Karts USA driver is set to take on the opening round of the prestigious three-part series promoted by ROK Cup USA. For Barnes, a seasoned veteran of the North American circuit, the event marks a shift in strategy as he commits to the full ROK Cup schedule for the first time in his career.
Taking to social media after his initial practice sessions in Florida, Barnes—affectionately known as "Skitchy"—signaled his intent for the weekend.
"Two sessions on track today. Rust knocked off, gave the kart a good shakedown," Barnes posted. "Ready to go bang some gears tomorrow! Qualifying and Heat 1 tomorrow. Heat 2/3 and Pre-Final Saturday. Final Sunday, let’s Go!"
The Shifter Masters specialist arrives in Orlando in peak form, having capped off a historic 2025 season by being crowned "King of the Streets" at the Rock Island Grand Prix.
While Barnes has dominated the SKUSA Winter Series in recent years—securing four successive titles—this year sees him focus his efforts on the ROK Cup program.
The 2026 tour features a challenging three-round format:
Round 1: January 16–18 (Orlando Kart Center)
Round 2: February 6–8 (Orlando Kart Center)
Round 3: March 6–8 (T4 Kartplex, Palmetto)
Barnes, who is sponsored by Powerade, All Rise Limited, and Simpsons Motorsports, is no stranger to the Orlando circuit but acknowledges the depth of the field in the ROK Shifter Masters class.
With professional scouts and international teams watching the season opener closely, the Bermudian will look to use Friday’s qualifying session to secure a front-row start. Success in Florida would add yet another prestigious title to a trophy cabinet that already includes multiple national championships and "All-Star" honors.
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Sunday, January 11, 2026
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DeGraff Dominates as Motocross Action Returns to Southside
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The roar of engines returned to the Southside Moto Sports Park this weekend as the Bermuda Motocross Association hosted a high-octane day of racing across eight competitive divisions.
In the marquee Expert class, Allan DeGraff proved once again why he is the man to beat on the island circuit. DeGraff swept the afternoon to claim the overall victory, fending off fierce challenges from Zico Majors and Zano Tucker who finished second and third respectively. DeGraff's technical precision over the jumps kept him clear of the field in a division that saw the riders push their machines to the limit in three grueling motos.
The veteran divisions provided some of the most consistent racing of the day. In the Over 30 category, Aaron Cannonier showcased his experience to secure the top spot on the podium. He was followed by Dillon Carreiro and Lorenzo Burch, while Willem Vermeulen and Daquan Burgess completed the top five.
Meanwhile, the Over 40 class saw Ben Zoeller deliver a clinical performance to take the overall win. Zoeller managed to hold off Ashley Simmons, who settled for second, with Bobby Lambe crossing the line in third. Jason Harrell and Dupray Joell rounded out the lead group in a division that remains one of the most closely contested in the association.
The future of the sport was on full display in the junior ranks, where high speeds and daring overtakes thrilled the gathered spectators. Mikah Alves took the honors in the Novice division, staying ahead of Anyari Persad and a busy A'jahni Foggo. Foggo’s day was particularly impressive as he also dominated the 85cc class, where he took first place ahead of Azai Burt and Jaylon Glasford.
In the smaller engine brackets, King Clarke was the class of the field in the 65cc division, beating out Rome Dill and Ade Stovell for the top honors. The 50cc class was won by A'kyo Cannonier, while the youngest riders in the PeeWee division saw Diego Daniels claim a popular victory over Jackson Amaro and Eli Philpott.
The BMA circuit now shifts its focus toward the mid-season trophy day, where championship points will be vital for those looking to secure the 2026 titles.
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