DeGraff Dominates as Thrills and Spills Return to Southside
IslandStats.com
The roar of engines and the scent of exhaust filled the air at the Southside Motor Sports Park as the Bermuda Motocross Association delivered another high-octane round of racing. On a track that demanded both technical precision and raw bravery, the island's elite riders and rising stars faced off across a packed schedule of competitive heats.
In the blue-ribbon Expert division, Allan DeGraff showcased why he remains the man to beat on the Southside dirt. DeGraff produced a masterful display of control and speed to take the checkered flag, holding off a determined challenge from Aiden Simmons, who secured a hard-earned second place in the elite category.
The future of the sport was equally impressive in the younger brackets. Jackson Amaro claimed top honors in the PeeWee class, leading home a field that saw Eli Philpott and Massiah Smith round out the top three, followed by Kailo Young and Kannon Tucker. In the 50cc division, A'kyo Cannonier proved untouchable, taking victory ahead of Ace Moniz and Tiano Tucker Wall, with Diego Daniels and Eli Philpott completing the top five.
As the bikes grew in power, so did the intensity of the rivalries. King Clarke reigned supreme in the 65cc class, edging out Cassidy Spencer-Furbert and Rome Dill in a fiercely contested battle. King-zyahn Browne and A'kyo Cannonier followed closely behind to secure fourth and fifth respectively. The 85cc category saw Azai Burt deliver a clinical performance to stand atop the podium, followed by Tinho Tucker Wall and Mazaii Tucker, while Jaylon Glasford and Jason Amaro Jr maintained the pressure to round out the leading group.
In the Novice ranks, Mikah Alves showcased significant progress to take the victory, leading a competitive pack that included Anyari Persad, Shadai Williams, Deige Paynter, and Andrew Caines.
The veteran classes proved that experience counts for everything on the challenging Southside terrain. Aaron Cannonier took the win in the Over 30 division, followed by Lorenzo Burch and Dillon Carreiro, with Willem Vermeulen and Kenshae Mills-Wilson fighting for the remaining spots. Meanwhile, in the Over 40 category, Ben Zoeller utilized a superior racing line to claim first place ahead of Ashley Simmons and Ronald Trott, while Jason Harrell and Paul DeCouto showcased their enduring skill to complete the top five.
Sunday, March 08, 2026
Barnes Reigns Supreme as Tour has Dramatic Conclusion
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Scott Barnes delivered a masterclass in clinical driving to put himself in prime position for silverware at the final round of the 2026 ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour, and on the final day, it all came together. After a weekend defined by his relentless pace, the veteran karting standout proved he could handle not only his rivals but also the elements as the championship reached its crescendo in Palmetto, Florida.
The final day of competition was thrown into chaos following heavy rainfall on Saturday night, which left the circuit in a challenging condition and forced a significant revision to the schedule. With standing water impacting the track, the organizers took the decision to bypass the morning sessions, ensuring the only races completed on the final day were the crucial Final races. This placed immense pressure on the drivers to perform without a warm-up, turning the ROK Shifter Masters Final into a true test of adaptability and nerve.
Starting from the front of the grid following his dominant heat performances, Barnes showcased exactly why he is considered one of the region’s elite competitors. Over the course of 20 grueling laps, he maintained a defensive masterclass while finding enough grip on the drying surface to dictate the tempo of the race. He eventually crossed the line in first place to claim the title, stopping the clock with a total race time of 16:40.100. The victory marks a significant achievement for the Bermudian on the international stage, securing the prestigious Florida Winter Tour trophy and underscoring his status as the man to beat in the shifter kart ranks.
Saturday, March 07, 2026
Barnes Dominant in Florida Winter Tour
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Scott Barnes has delivered a masterclass in clinical driving to put himself in prime position for silverware at the final round of the 2026 ROK Cup USA Florida Winter Tour. Competing in Palmetto, Florida, the veteran karting standout overcame a steady start to sweep the competitive sessions and emerge as the man to beat in the ROK Shifter Masters division.
The weekend began with a calculated morning practice session on Friday, where Barnes posted the fourth-fastest lap with a time of 44.285 seconds. While he trailed the early pace-setters, the performance served as a vital reconnaissance mission before the high-stakes heat races got underway. Once the lights went out for competitive action, the Bermudian found another gear, showcasing both raw speed and defensive composure across the Florida circuit.
In Heat 2, Barnes surged to the front of the field to claim a commanding victory, completing the fifteen-lap contest in a total time of 10:39.864. He mirrored that clinical efficiency in Heat 3, navigating a slightly slower track surface to secure another first-place finish with a total time of 10:48.340. The back-to-back wins provided a significant psychological edge over his rivals heading into the penultimate stage of the weekend.
The momentum showed no signs of slowing during the Pre-Final. In a longer sixteen-lap encounter designed to test both stamina and machinery, Barnes was once again untouchable. He crossed the line in 12:22.530 to secure yet another victory, ensuring he will start from the most advantageous position on the grid for the championship-deciding final. As the tour reaches its crescendo, all eyes will be on whether the Bermudian can complete the clean sweep and secure the prestigious Florida Winter Tour title.
Wednesday, March 04, 2026
Riders Brave Amateur Supercross in Daytona Rubble
IslandStats.com
A contingent of eight determined riders from the Bermuda Motocross Club has concluded a grueling stint in Florida, testing their mettle against a world-class field at the prestigious Annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross.
The iconic Daytona International Speedway, known for its deep sand and punishing ruts, provided a stern test of endurance and technical skill for the island's representatives. Leading the charge for the veteran riders, Allan (LJ) DeGraff delivered a masterclass in consistency within the Vet 30+ B/C Class. DeGraff secured back-to-back fourth-place finishes in his two heats to claim a highly impressive fourth place overall, establishing himself as one of the standout performers of the event.
In the same division, Aaron Cannonier battled through the demanding conditions to secure a top-ten finish. After an eighth-place finish in his opening heat, he crossed the line tenth in the second to claim tenth overall. The veteran categories saw further representation from Jason Harrell, who displayed remarkable steady form in the Masters 50+ Class with identical 23rd-place finishes across both heats for 23rd overall, while Robert (Bobby) Lambe navigated the Senior 45+ Class to finish 24th overall following 25th and 24th place results.
Bermuda's younger stars also faced the fierce "Daytona rubble." A’jahni Foggo undertook a busy schedule, competing across two divisions. In the Mini Sr. 1 (12–14) Class, Foggo finished 18th overall after taking 20th and 18th in his respective heats. He improved on that standing in the Mini Sr. 2 (13–15) Class, where a 15th-place finish in Heat One and 17th in Heat Two earned him 17th overall.
The grassroots categories saw Diego Daniels claim 15th overall in the 51cc 4–6 Class after recording 9th and 15th place finishes, while A’Kyo Cannonier finished 33rd overall in the Mini E 4–8 Class following a 14th place in his opener and 33rd in the second. There was disappointment for King Clarke in the 65cc 7–11 Class, whose promising run unfortunately ended in a non-finish. Despite the varied results, the appearance of such a significant Bermudian contingent at the "World Center of Racing" underscores the continued growth of the sport on the island.
Monday, March 02, 2026
Bermudians Compete in Daytona Amateur Supercross
IslandStats.com
A contingent of eight determined riders from the Bermuda Motocross Club have taken to the iconic sands of Florida to compete in the prestigious Annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross. In a day defined by high-octane drama and a formidable international field, the island's representatives have battled through various age groups and classifications to make their mark on the world stage.
Leading the charge for the Bermudian squad was Allan “LJ” DeGraff, who delivered a standout performance in the Veteran 30+ B/C Division. DeGraff showcased his technical prowess to secure a highly impressive fourth place, placing him firmly among the elite in his category. He was joined in the same division by Aaron Cannonier, who navigated the demanding Daytona circuit to earn a solid tenth-place finish.
The younger generation of Bermudian talent also faced a steep learning curve against some of the best amateur riders in North America. In the Mini E 4–8 Age Group, A’Kyo Cannonier displayed immense grit to finish 33rd overall, while Diego Daniels claimed 15th place in the 51cc 4–6 Age Group. The 65cc 7–11 Age Group race brought heartbreak for King Clarke, who was unfortunately forced to register a "Did Not Finish" after a challenging outing.
In the highly competitive Mini Sr. divisions, A’jahni Foggo proved his consistency across two age brackets. Foggo secured 18th place in the 12–14 Age Group Mini Sr. 1 and improved slightly to take 17th in the 13–15 Age Group Mini Sr. 2. Meanwhile, the veteran ranks saw Jason Harrell battle to 23rd place in the Masters 50+ Division, with Bobby Lambe concluding his day in 24th position within the Senior 45+ Division.
This collective effort at one of the world's most renowned motocross events highlights the continued growth and ambition of the Bermudian motocross community as they continue to seek out top-level competition overseas.
