Bermuda karting driver Scott Barnes added to his Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix title haul in Illinois, United States, last weekend.

The 38-year-old, who was already a seven-times winner heading into event, competed in eight separate classes across the two-day series which is the largest and most prestigious street race in North America.

Despite battling it out against a stellar field of top racers from across the United States, Barnes managed to add another two titles to his collection after coming away triumphant in the Open Shifter Class and the Open Shifter Masters Class.

“Overall it was a great weekend at Rock Island. Coming home with two more titles is amazing,” said Barnes.

“Any time you can leave the Rock Island Grand Prix with a win in the final is great and so to be able to leave with two is fantastic.

“It’s a really hard, tough track to win on with it being a street race and the event brings out the very best racers in the country, so I just feel blessed that I’ve been able to get nine victories overall now.”

While Barnes was delighted to extend his title haul, he concedes to a slight disappointment at not being able to enjoy greater success over the weekend after putting himself in position to challenge for more honours.

“I was definitely in position to win all the finals that I competed in on Sunday,” added Barnes, who was in top form in the qualifying and pre-finals on the first day of competition.

“I had good day on Saturday to put myself in really strong positions and probably should have won five of the finals.

“We ran at the front in every race bar one and led for a bunch of laps, so it was unfortunate that I couldn’t get any more wins, but I’m happy to have managed two more titles overall.

“I have to thank my team Magik Kart USA, all the pit crew and all my sponsors. We raced eight different classes using only two karts, which is really hard to do. Everything with the karts was awesome all weekend, which in itself is a win on a track like this.”

With his focus solely on racing overseas this season, Barnes is now looking for further sponsorship in order to fulfil his aspirations of seeing not only himself, but other Bermuda drivers, succeed on the international stage.

“I’m looking forward to getting back home and trying to find some more sponsors so I can focus on racing in more events overseas this year,” added Barnes, who opted to take a break from racing on island after taking his domestic tally to a record 21 titles at the conclusion of the Bermuda Karting Club National Championships in April.

“I would love to see more Bermudian drivers come up and try races like this [Rock Island Grand Prix]. These races take a lot of money and sponsors are needed to help do these races”