Scott Barnes continues to break new ground after more than two decades of top-level karting.

Barnes was recently crowned “King of The Streets” for the first time at the Rock Island Grand Prix after winning four races ― the Ignite 206 Masters, Shifter King of the streets, Shifter open and Ignite 100cc Masters.

The Bermudian is only the second driver from outside the United States to win the coveted title, after the Canadian Remo Ruscitti in 2016, at one of the sport’s most prestigious events, which this year attracted more than 250 teams and racers to its 30th edition in Illinois.

Still basking in the glory of crossing off the race from his karting bucket list, the pleasure in Barnes’s voice is still evident as he described his achievement.

“King of the Streets is one race that I’ve always wanted to win,” he said.

“I started racing there in 2001 and have been trying to get it ever since, so to tick it off the list is pretty cool.

“I went 40 last year. I’m getting older and I’ve been at this a long time now, so to still be going out there, being competitive and winning big races is an awesome feeling.

“Winning this year made it eight years in a row that I’ve won at least one race at Rock Island. Winning the four also put us tied in third place for the most wins ever at the Rock Island Grand Prix. That’s cool history to have at such a big event that’s been going on for 30 years."

However, the road to Barnes’s coronation was not totally smooth after a crash on the opening day of competition meant that his backroom team were kept busy through the night.

“Saturday was really rough for us,” Barnes said.

“We won a couple of races and had a couple more top-three places, but we had a bunch of bad races with a couple of DNFs. We also had a hard crash, so to bounce back with four wins and two seconds shows my never-give-up mentality and ability to bounce back.

“My mindset after crashes has always been pretty good, and this time it only took a couple of races to bounce back with a win.

“The crash messed up the kart pretty bad and it was just a case of getting the kart fixed and ready to go. The guys I had working for me on Saturday worked really hard. I have a good team behind me and they worked so hard to get everything ready for Sunday.”

Keen to thank his sponsors Butterfield & Vallis/Powerade, All Rise Bermuda and his USA team Marenello Kart and Carblos Racing Engines for sending him the kart and motor to race, Barnes is on the hunt for more new success.

His next event features the last big race he has yet to win and he will be heading to the biggest karting extravaganza in the world in Las Vegas full of confidence.

“There is only one other race left that I’ve always wanted to win and that is the Super Nationals in Las Vegas,” he said.

“I’ve competed in that about 12 times and made the podium on three occasions. It’s the hardest race in karting, not just in North America but in the world, so it takes a lot to win there. That’s still on the list and it might always stay on the list, but we’ll certainly keep on trying to cross it off.

“That’s the next event for me in November and the best in the world will be racing there. We’ve been lucky enough to perform well there with podiums and a bunch of top-ten finishes. To get a win would be awesome.”

Barnes is hoping to get in some practice before that event, but has the celebration of his wedding anniversary to look forward to first.

“I’m on my way to Hawaii to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary, but I will try to get some kart time in before November,” he said.

“I probably won’t have a chance to race before then, but I’ll hit the gym and try to get some seat time.”