Barnes Leads Masters Class In Skusa Series
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Scott Barnes is on target to achieve a third straight Shifter Masters title in the Skusa Winter Series at the AMR Homestead-Miami Motorplex in Florida.
He leads the standings after the opening two rounds of the competition at the weekend, despite being disqualified in the first final because the kart’s rear was too wide.
Barnes, who will be allowed to drop his worst finish of the series, recovered in the final of the second round to win his class.
The series concludes with rounds three and four at the same venue from February 9 to 11.
“There were only two entries in the Shifter Masters and 13 entries in the Shifters, and they had us racing altogether, which they often have in recent years,” Barnes told Bernews.
“It meant they had me and the other guy at the back of the grid in the two finals races.
“I claimed the bonus points in the first round of qualifying, finishing ninth overall.
“I finished tenth overall in the first final, winning my class, but got a DQ because my kart was an inch too wide in the rear.
“The other guy in my class also got a DQ because of weight, which saved me a little in the points.”
The 39-year-old, who races for Ohio-based Magik Kart USA, added: “On Sunday, I didn’t get to qualify because of a clutch issue, so I lost the bonus points.
“In the finals race, we again started at the back of the 15-kart grid, but I worked my way up to fifth overall to win my class and open a healthy lead heading into the final two rounds. I’m looking pretty good to get the three-peat.”
