Scott “Skitchy” Barnes is relishing his return to the “art” of kart road racing in the Championship Enduro Series in the United States.

The driver has worked his way into strong overall positions in both the 125 Shifter and Stock Honda classes after an excellent performance at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course.

Barnes stormed to a fourth and second in the Shifter category (39 karts) and a brace of runners-up in the Stock Honda (12 karts). It leaves him second overall in both classes after three race weekends with three remaining.

Each driver is allowed to drop their weakest weekend and with the Bermudian having already skipped the second, he knows there is no room for error.

“It’s been fun getting back to racing in a series in the States,” Barnes said. “Nothing compares to road racing as far as the track and the excitement.”

He added: “Knock on wood I don’t get any kart problems or any mechanical problems. I can’t afford a bad weekend so as long as I can keep this up, I’ve got a good shot.”

Bermudian Jason “Skuzzie” North also raced in Ohio — his first action Stateside in seven years — and he registered a twelfth and fifteenth in the 125 Shifter and a fifth and a DNF in the Stock Honda.

“He had a lot of fun,” said Barnes. “It was nice to have ‘Skuzzie’ there and have a team-mate with me. He got me started in road racing so it was cool to have him there.”

Barnes has committed himself to the summer series in the States, with Grattan Raceway, Michigan, the next venue on July 9 to 10.

And he is enjoying experiencing once again the thrills and spills of high-octane road racing.

“Michigan is the track where I won my first race in the States when I was 16 — 15 years ago!

“I haven’t been back for six or seven years. It’s one of my favourites track so I’m excited.”

He added: “Road racing is a lot different from sprint tracks; if you get a lot of draft, two karts can pull away quite quickly.

“When you’re doing 110mph that close to another kart it’s very dangerous. It’s kind of an art. You’ve got to come up to other people very slowly — you don’t want to push someone off the track.

“It’s an art, you have to be used to it and confident.”