Barnes Makes Strong Start To Title Defence
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Scott Barnes has put himself in a formidable position to retain his Shifter Masters title in the Skusa Winter Series.
Barnes leads the standings after the opening two rounds of the competition at the Homestead-Miami Motorplex in Florida at the weekend.
The 38-year-old almost completed a clean sweep, winning three of the four races, including a heat race and both finals races.
He also picked up 20 bonus points with the fastest laps on both days.
“The first day [on Saturday] was perfect – we got pole position, won the heat race, won the finals race and set the fastest lap,” Barnes told Bernews.
“Sunday didn’t go quite so well. I woke up and had a feeling it could be a bad day!
“I only managed to qualify in third place for the heats but locked the motor on lap two and had to retire with a DNF.
“I knew I had to win the finals race and salvage as many points as possible. I was in full ‘zen’ mode, won the race and picked up the fastest lap.
“One of my big competitors, Scott Presti, spun out in the second finals race and didn’t finish. That helps me in the points standings heading into rounds three and four.”
The series concludes at the same venue with rounds three and four from February 10 to 12, with Barnes feeling confident of claiming his second successive title.
“It’s always better to head into rounds three and four with a lead to protect rather than chasing someone else,” the Bermuda Karting Club president added.
“It’s also nice to have the cushion of being able to drop my worst finish, too, just in case something goes wrong.”
