New Year’s Day Thrills at Southside Motor Sports Park
IslandStats.com
The engines roared into life at the Southside Motor Sports Park as the Bermuda Motocross Association hosted its traditional New Year’s Day races. A massive crowd gathered to witness a day of high-flying action and intense competition across several divisions, marking a spectacular start to the 2026 racing calendar.
In the premier Expert class, Allan Degraff showcased his dominance on the dirt once again. Degraff managed to hold off a spirited challenge from Preston Martin to claim the top spot on the podium, demonstrating the technical skill and speed that has become his trademark at the St. David’s track.
The veteran classes provided some of the most competitive racing of the afternoon. In the Over 30 division, Aaron Cannonier took the checkered flag ahead of Lorenzo Burch and Dillon Carreiro. Meanwhile, the Over 40 category saw Ben Zoeller produce a masterclass in consistency to secure first place, finishing ahead of Ashley Simmons and Bobby Lambe in a field that tested the endurance of the island’s more experienced riders.
The future of the sport was also on full display with a packed schedule of youth races. In the 85cc class, A’jahni Foggo stood out with a commanding performance to take the win, followed by Mazaii Tucker and Tinho Tucker Wall. Foggo’s busy day didn't end there, as he also secured a second-place finish in the Novice division, which was won by the impressive Mikah Alves.
The 65cc division saw King Clarke climb to the top of the standings, edging out Cassidy Spencer-Furbert and Rome Dill. In the 50cc category, A’kyo Cannonier mirrored the success of his older relatives by taking the victory in a tight race against Tiano Tucker Wall and Diego Daniels.
The youngest riders of the day in the PeeWee class proved to be a major draw for the spectators. Eli Philpott displayed remarkable control to finish first in his group, leading Diego Daniels and Kailo Young across the line. The event underscored the growing strength of the local motocross community, with a deep field of talent ranging from the grassroots level to the elite experts.
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Engines Roar as Motocross Defies the Chill at Coney Island
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The silence of the nature reserve was shattered by the thunderous return of motocross to its spiritual home, as thousands of spectators "tilted" Coney Island for the first leg of the Pink Sand Scramble 2.0.
Despite a "cold blast of Canadian air" that brought a distinctly wintry feel to the island, the atmosphere remained white-hot as local heroes and international professionals braved the breezy conditions to tackle the technical dirt circuit.
Organised by 27-year-old Bermudian professional Jyire Mitchell, the event marked a triumphant follow-up to last year’s historic return to the park.
The challenging course, designed to utilize the natural environment rather than a man-made track, drew high praise from a trio of American professionals who made the trip to compete for the $10,000 purse.
With riders ranging in age from youth divisions to seasoned veterans like Kenneth Matthie, the event lived up to its billing as a community-driven spectacle that bridged generations of racing fans. As the breeze whipped off the North Shore, the resilience of the crowd reflected the enduring appeal of a sport that hasn't seen regular action at this venue in over two decades.
While the festive weekend’s weather has remained "chilly and cloudy," the energy at Coney Island provided a much-needed jolt of adrenaline. The engines are set to roar again this coming Sunday, January 4, for the final leg of the series, where champions will be crowned across all divisions.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Thrills & Chills as Southside Dominates Boxing Day Calendar
IslandStats.com
The roar of engines and the scent of high-octane fuel replaced traditional Christmas carols at Southside Motor Sports Park as the Bermuda Motocross Association held its iconic Boxing Day showcase on a chilly day.
Spectators lined the perimeter of the track in St. David’s, witnessing a masterclass in dirt-track racing that saw seasoned veterans and rising stars alike brave the dusty, technical terrain.
The younger divisions set a blistering pace early in the afternoon. In the PeeWee Class, Diego Daniels showcased remarkable composure to take the top spot on the podium, holding off a determined Jackson Amaro and Eli Philpott.
The 50cc Division was equally hard-fought, with A’kyo Cannonier delivering a clinical performance to secure the win ahead of Kaden Bean-Wolfe and Daniels, who pulled double duty to earn a third-place finish. In the 65cc category, Cassidy Spencer-Furbert dominated the field, followed closely by King Clarke and Rome Dill, while Henry Stevens-Carty and Ade Stovell rounded out a highly competitive top five.
As the track conditions grew more challenging, the 85cc and Novice classes provided some of the day's most dramatic overtakes. A’jahni Foggo emerged as a dual-threat powerhouse, claiming Gold in both Divisions.
In the 85cc race, Foggo stayed ahead of Azai Burt and Jaylon Glasford, with Tinho Tucker Wall and Mazaii Tucker finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Foggo’s momentum carried directly into the Novice Class, where he fended off Mikah Alves and Grae Trott Edness. Deige Paynter and Burt secured the final two positions in a race that saw several lead changes in the closing laps.
The veteran and elite classes proved that experience is often the greatest asset at Southside. The Over 30 division was a tactical battle won by Lorenzo Burch, who edged out Dillon Carreiro and Willem Vermeulen.
Meanwhile, Ben Zoeller reigned supreme in the Over 40s, leading a veteran pack that included Dupray Joell and Jason Harrell.
The day concluded with the high-speed Expert class, where Allan DeGraff put on a clinic in precision riding. DeGraff took the chequered flag ahead of Zico Majors and Jazuri Easton-Thompson, with Aaron Cannonier finishing fourth to cap off a memorable day of festive racing that once again proved why motocross remains a cornerstone of Bermuda's holiday tradition.
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Divine’s "Road to MotoGP" Fueled by Bermudian Support
IslandStats.com
Bermudian teenager Aeziah Divine has hailed the support of his sponsors as he continues his ascent in the R&G British Talent Cup (BTC), describing his journey as a long-term dream that began nearly seven years ago.
Divine, 15, moved to the UK with his family in 2018 to follow the Bennetts British Superbike Championship more closely, with the specific goal of reaching the BTC—a prestigious feeder series for world-level competition. "With no connections to the paddock, we had no idea how we’d ever pull it off," Divine admitted.
The road to professional racing has been far from straightforward for the Divine family, who took a significant risk by leaving the island to pursue international opportunities. However, the young rider's progress has been made possible through a network of sponsors, including Bermuda-based insurance firm Relm.
Known for its focus on emerging industries, Relm specializes in providing insurance solutions for businesses in dynamic sectors such as Web3, AI, Alternative Medicine, Biotech, and the Space Economy. Their resilient insurance products are designed to address complex financial, professional, and emerging risks, allowing innovators to thrive in high-stakes environments.
"I’m so grateful to them for their support on this journey," Divine said of the partnership.
Currently racing for Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing, Divine has enjoyed a landmark season, securing consistent points finishes at circuits like Snetterton and Thruxton. His transition from local karting tracks to full-size 250cc machinery has been marked by a steep learning curve, including mastering the Honda NSF250R and adapting to iconic British GP tracks like Silverstone.
As the 2025 season draws to a close, Divine has already re-signed with MLav Racing for another campaign, with his sights set on breaking into the top ten in 2026. His long-term ambition remains reaching the FIM JuniorGP World Championship as he continues his dedicated climb toward the pinnacle of the sport.
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Barnes Reflects on a Historic 2025 Karting Campaign
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Bermudian karting legend Scott Barnes has labeled his 2025 season one of his most successful to date, following a dominant international campaign that saw him secure a fourth consecutive championship title and tick a major "bucket list" item off his career goals.
Competing across nine international race weekends, the Maranello Karts USA driver amassed an impressive haul of eight final wins and seven additional podium finishes.
The season ignited in early 2025 at the SKUSA Winter Tour in Orlando, Florida. Despite facing a deeply personal challenge following the loss of his dog just days before the opener, Barnes channeled his emotions into the track.
He delivered a clinical performance across the four-round series, winning three out of the first four rounds and securing a third-place finish in the other. This consistency powered him to his fourth consecutive SKUSA Winter Tour Shifter Masters championship, a feat he described as "pretty cool" for his team and sponsors.
While his championship defense was a highlight, Barnes’ most significant milestone came at North America’s largest street race: the Xtream Rock Island Grand Prix in Illinois.
Competing in seven different classes over the Labor Day weekend, Barnes achieved a career breakthrough by winning the prestigious King of the Streets final in the Shifter Masters class. It was a title that had eluded him since he began racing at "The Rock" in 2001.
"Ticking that off the bucket list was pretty big," Barnes admitted. "I’ve won several classes since 2001 but never the King of the Streets. I’d have taken that at the start of the year!". Alongside the premier crown, he secured three other titles that weekend, including the Ignite 100 Masters and Open Shifters, bringing his career total at the event to 14.
Barnes also maintained a high standard on the SKUSA Pro Tour, competing in six rounds across three weekends. While he was unable to defend his overall title from the previous year, he remained a constant threat at the front of the pack, securing one victory and three additional podiums to finish third overall in the championship.
