The 2025 Superkarts! USA Winter Series concluded its eighth season at the Orlando Kart Center with Round Four. 285 pre-registered drivers competed across nine categories for the championship titles.
In the Master Shifter presented by Velocity Racing by Sodi USA category, the spotlight was on defending champion Scott Barnes (Maranello USA), who had already won two races this season. He faced competition from Tyler Guilbeault (DRT / DR Kart) and Rene Martinelli (RRC / TB Kart).
Barnes dominated the lead-up to the final race. He set the fastest time in the Warm-Up (52.188 seconds) and Qualifying (51.136 seconds), both on his fourth lap. He then took the checkered flag in the pre-final, completing the eight-lap race in 7:01.877.
However, Barnes' hopes for a dominant weekend were dashed in the final. He was forced to retire with three laps remaining in the 18-lap race due to engine failure, despite holding a significant lead.
Despite the disappointing end to the weekend, Barnes' earlier performances proved decisive. "Unfortunately my motor locked up with 3 laps to go in the 18 lap race. I had a big gap to 2nd place too. Not the way I wanted to end the weekend but the main thing is we wrapped up the Championship yesterday. 4 years in a row in this SKUSA winter series,” Barnes told www.islandstats.com.
With three final wins and three pre-final wins across the four-round series, Barnes secured his fourth consecutive SKUSA Winter Series championship title.
Barnes concluded, "I just want to always thank my Team -Marenello Kart USA, Carlos racing Engines and my sponsors Butterfield & Vallis, Powerade, All Rise Bermuda."
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