Scott Barnes Hopes To Be ‘King Of Streets’
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda karting driver Scott Barnes hopes to be crowned “King of the Streets” when he races at the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix this weekend.
Barnes, who will compete in a staggering ten classes, is eyeing multiple titles at the largest and most prestigious street race in North America.
The five-time winner made his debut at Rock Island in 2001 and said the two-day event in Quad Cities – a metropolitan area on the Mississippi River in Illinois and Iowa – is among the highlights of his karting season.
Last year, he won one class and finished runner-up in two.
“The Rock Island Grand Prix is on my calendar every year,” Barnes told Bernews. “Since 2001, I’ve missed it twice, and one was due to Covid when they cancelled it in 2020.
“It’s one of the most fun weekends of the year – the atmosphere is incredible. I love street racing, and it brings out some top competition. A Rock Island trophy is one everyone wants in their trophy case.”
The Bermuda Karting Club president admits competing in ten of the 17 classes will resemble an “Ironman challenge” but said he is excited by the mental and physical test.
“I’ve done seven or eight classes before, but I’ve never done ten,” said Barnes, who said he has broken ribs on the uneven streets of downtown Rock Island at previous events.
“It’s a street race, so there’s no margin for error. It’s bumpy, it’s tight, and there’s no run-off. One mistake and you’re in the safety barriers. Mentally, you have to be in the game every lap. It’s going to be a big test.”
Barnes, who will be racing for Ohio-based Magik Kart USA, plans to compete at the CKNA Grand Nationals 6 in New Castle, Indiana, next month, the Skusa SuperNationals in Las Vegas in November and the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, in December.
