Karter Scott Barnes is hoping that 2025 will continue in the same vein as a vintage 2024.

After joining Maranello USA at the start of last year, Barnes was hoping to produce the goods and a host of big-race wins and huge success ensured he was a big hit with his new team.

“With seven finals wins, 20 top-three podiums and a few championships, I was very happy with the year.,” Barnes said.

“We did 14 races internationally this year and that is the most I’ve done in a few years. We had high hopes for the season after staring off with a new team that we going to do a lot more races.

“The first series, the Skusa Winter Series, we were the back-to-back defending champions in that class and we managed to get the three-peat. We won three out of the four rounds and defended our championships to make it three in a row.

“We then competed in two of the three races in a new series, finishing second in the first one and won the last one. We ended up finishing fourth overall in the series despite missing the first round, which was pretty cool.”

After a fantastic start, Barnes returned to the Pro Tour, the biggest series in the US, for the first time in three years, but the absence was no barrier to becoming top dog.

“We missed 2022 and 2023 and we returned after winning it in 2020 and finishing second in 2021,” Barnes said.

“We started off great and swept the weekend in Orlando, winning the heat races and the final. Then in rounds three and four in the middle of summer, we had not great, but not bad, races, but it meant we needed to win the final round to win the series and we actually got that done to win the championship by five points. It’s always nice to win the Pro Tour.

“Then, In October, in the biggest four-stroke race with over 600 entries, and I finished ninth there. Not as good as I was hoping but a top-ten was good.

“The Super Nats in Vegas was in November and I got top 15 in a 52-kart field. Again, a little disappointed but we got faster all weekend and the field was stacked with pro drivers and world champions.”

Barnes feels the link with Maranello has produced positive performances and feels that despite turning 40 last year, that he is a driver at the peak of his powers.

“They were very happy with the results and I couldn’t be happier with the team, we gelled well together,” Barnes said.

“Having a ride like this I had to bring in the results to keep it going and we did. We were pretty much always a front-runner everywhere we went, so the team are happy and we look forward to doing it again next year.

“As a driver, I feel like I’m driving some of the best races I’ve ever done. I just turned 40 but I’m driving to the peak of my ability and getting better over the years. My driving is not falling off and I’m still at the level to compete out in front. It’s more a matter of getting seat time, that is the key.”

Barnes is lucky that he is now in a position to get the seat time that allows him to get the best out of himself and the kart.

“I’m lucky with having my business back home that I’m able to jump out whenever I want,” he said.

“I’ve just got married and my wife has a good job so I’m able to go out when I can to drive more often. Sponsorship always helps to be able to make these races happen with flights and entry time as it all adds up. I’m definitely spending more time out here, where I used to travel on Wednesday or Thursday for a meet, I can now go on Monday and get a couple more days of track time before the race, which is always helpful.

“I have to thank Maranello USA and Carlos Racing Engines. Without them giving me the karts, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing. Back in Bermuda, I’m representing the Powerade brand of Butterfield & Vallis and out here in the States Simpson’s Motorsports. I’m thankful for them and always on the lookout for new sponsors.”