Scott Barnes will be aiming to reclaim his crown at the World Karting Association Daytona Kartweek starting today.

Having secured one the greatest triumphs of his decorated karting career by winning the 125 Stock Honda Shifter class at the fabled Daytona International Speedway in 2018, a mixture of rain and bad luck put paid to aspirations of a successful title defence last year as he settled for a fourth-place finish.

However, the island's top driver is hoping for better much fortune on track this time round.

“I’m definitely looking to do better than last year,” Barnes said. “Last year was a bit of an off year all round, really. It rained throughout the first three days, meaning we got no practice and all the classes got shortened to one race.

“Then in the Stock Honda race, I managed to get up into second place with a chance of winning before two guys ended up drafting past me right at the finishing line, which unfortunately left me in fourth place.”

To compound matters, Barnes then made a strong start in Open Shifter Class before withdrawing on the third lap because of a mechanical issue, putting an end to his entire competition.

“I got myself up to the top two and again could have won the race, but, unfortunately, in the third lap my chain broke and that was the end of the race and the end of my weekend,” he added.

“Hopefully we’ll have a bit more luck on our side this year. The aim is always to win but at the least I’m hoping to get on the podium and bring some trophies back home.”

As well as competing again in both classes this year, Barnes will be tackling a further two races across two different tracks as he gears up for an action-packed three days of racing.

“It will be a little different this year,” he said. “The first day, which is usually a practice day, I’ll be racing a 206 kart on the sprint track and then on day two I’ll head over to the road racetrack and race in two classes — the Stock Honda and then the 125 Open Shifter

“I will also be racing the 206 on the big track for the first time. So, all in all, that will be three races on the big track and the 206 on the sprint track for the first time.

“It will be a lot of races over the three days but it something I’m really looking forward to. After last year, hopefully I will have more luck and finish all my races; that’s the main thing because I can’t win if I don’t manage to finish.”