2015 ECKC Preview: Briggs & Stratton LO206 Masters

Season six of the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship is upon us and we here at CKN are very excited! Over the next three days we will break down all nine official ECKC classes utilizing a fun new format. For each category we have selected three drivers we think are championship favourites, three drivers who could play spoiler and one rookie who we feel could make an impact in their first campaign in the category. 

Kicking things off, Wednesday features all three Briggs & Stratton classes followed by Junior Rotax classes on Thursday and the Senior Rotax classes on Friday leading up to all the action at Goodwood. We will be trackside all weekend bringing you all the action on the site and our social networks. 

Briggs & Stratton LO206 Masters:

David Anderson had a very successful return in 2014 and looks to claim the ECKC title in 2015 (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Briggs & Stratton Masters has not only been the place to play for the veterans in our sport no longer fit to compete against the younger generation, but it has also been reintroducing some of Eastern Canada’s best four-cycle karters from the late 90’s and early 2000’s back into the sport with an appealing engine package which has enticed many to return to competition. Like in Briggs & Stratton Junior last years champion in the Masters ranks, Keith Barrick, will not compete in the championship opening it up for the taking and there are many drivers who will be battling all season long for the title.

The Favourites:

Dave Anderson:
Anderson was on a tear last season after making his comeback to karting partway early in the 2014 karting season. Having some really good results which included winning on the streets of Trois-Rivieres and taking Super Pole at the ASN Canadian National Championships in Mont Tremblant and ultimately finishing on the podium. With a full season back under his belt and more motivation than ever Anderson will be championship contender all the way to the finale.

Corey Walsh:
Kicking off last year with a big victory at Mosport, Walsh was a threat until a technical issue took him out of the championship running in round two. Back for more and now sporting a shiny new BirelART machine after so many years on a CRG, Walsh is seeking redemption and will be fun to watch battle with Anderson and co. He showed great pace at the CRFKC race until he blew a chain in the Final.

Eli Yanko:
Showing great pace at both Goodwood and Mosport early on this season Eli Yanko has earned an honourable mention from us. With the opening round taking place at his home track of Goodwood Kartways, Yanko has the potential to do really well and contend for a Podium finish and maybe even the victory.

The Spoilers:

Scott Jefferies:
He was very quick last year at Goodwood and the man from Montreal looks to make a return to the track this season with the same form he had last season. This year Jefferies will be trading in his Birel chassis for a brand new Kosmic Kart with Racing Edge Motorsports, hoping the chassis change will help improve his results from a year ago. He was quick at the Coupe du Quebec opener, so only time will tell.

David Michaud:
The winner at SRA Karting a few weeks ago in Coupe du Quebec action,  Michaud will be one to watch at Goodwood as he always is around the fast guys in the class and will look to fight for his first ECKC win.

Eric Beltrami:
While we do not know for sure if Beltrami is entered for Goodwood, he is always in the hunt for a podium when it comes to Briggs & Stratton Masters competition. He put the pressure on Michaud at SRA and with a little luck he could return to the top of the ECKC podium and put himself in the running for a championship.

The Rookie Veteran:

Mike Rogers:
Remember Mike Rogers? If you grew up racing at Goodwood throughout the 2000’s and the name sounds familiar to you, don’t look twice, because he is back. Filling in the shoes of 2014 ECKC Champion Keith Barrick at K&K North America and he was very fast last weekend at Goodwood. In his first race back in a kart at the Champion Ron Fellows Karting Challenge Rogers shook off the rust quickly and came home with win after executing a perfectly timed move in the late stages of the race.

Don’t miss the rest of our ECKC Class Previews this week, only on CKN!