Scott Barnes’s decision in the new year to switch to a new team continues to pay dividends as he dominated the first leg of the Stars Series in the United States at the weekend.

The Bermudian karter, who joined Team Maranello USA & Carlos Motors, in January picked up three wins, including in the final, and a second in his four races at Queen City Gambit, which was held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Track in North Carolina.

Barnes picked up a maximum 500 points to top the series standings in the 2024 ROK Shifter Masters Championship by 80 points, and was delighted with his performances.

“I had a great weekend and couldn’t ask for a much better start to the series,” Barnes said.

“Wer were pretty much top four in times on the track at every session besides one. We were able to win the first heat and finish second behind our team-mate in the next one, which put us on pole for the pre-final.

“I was able to win and set us up for the final, but I definitely had a battle in that, I dropped to second a couple of times and went toe to toe with a couple of guys but at the end was able to pull out the win.

“The kart was just awesome, straight from the first practice and I made just one gear change. The kart was just hooked up all weekend.

It has been only three months since Barnes made the switch to his new team but feels vindicated given recent results and a change to his financial circumstances.

“We started out in January and every weekend we’ve raced we’ve had podium results, a couple of wins, couple of seconds, so I’m definitely vibing with the new team,” Barnes said.

“They are a great bunch of guys, the karts are awesome and the power is phenomenal. I had a great team with Magic Kart and I am still friends with those guys and we left on good terms, but Maranello just offered me a better opportunity, basically a free ride and I couldn’t pass that up.

“I’m going from having to pay every weekend to having a free opportunity to race for the whole season and in a lot more races than we originally planned. I have to thank Team Maranello USA and Carlos Motors as well as my sponsors Butterfield & Vallis.

“I knew these guys were a good team and had the equipment to go out and compete for wins, which was obviously important to me, and I couldn’t turn it down.”

Barnes will next be heading to Indian at the end of May to compete in the second leg of the Stars Series, the King of the Castle, and is hopeful of extending his good form

“I’m just going to try to keep it going,” Barnes said.

“Charlotte was a new track for us and I had never raced there before so I had to learn it fast on Friday, but the next one is a track I have been to a few times, so I’m not worried by having to learn the track, which is always nice.

“I can concentrate more on getting the kart dialled in and trying to keep the points lead going throughout the series. It’s easier to try to keep a lead than catch up so I’m glad we started off on the right foot.”

Barnes’s hectic work/karting schedule means he is always on the move as he attempts to make the most of his racing in 2024.

“I’ll try to get down to the States maybe once or twice before the next race to try to keep in the kart but for the most part I just try to stay in shape,” Barnes said.

“I do a lot of walking and trying to lift as much as I can just to keep the body fit but I don’t get a lot of seat time, which is unfortunate.

“I got back on Monday and went straight back to work as soon as I landed yesterday. I have to make money in between races. Obviously we have trips planned every month for the rest of the year so I have a busy calendar but I have to thank the team for giving me that opportunity. I figure I can sleep when I’m dead.”