2015 ECKC Preview: Rotax Max DD2 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. 

Rotax DD2 Masters

While the numbers may not be high, the Rotax DD2 Masters field is still very strong. With the reigning ECKC Champion Paul Carvalho is not returning to defend his title there are a pair of drivers looking to return to the Rotax Grand Finals and a few more hoping to qualify for the first time as ECKC Champion.

Stuart Clark will be looking for another ticket to return to the Grand finals in 2015 (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Favourites:

Stuart Clark:
When you look back at the past ECKC Champions in DD2 Masters only Paul Carvahlo and Clark have been able to bring home the championship. This year Clark is back and more motivated than ever after a roller coaster of a season in 2014. His season started at the Florida Winter Tour where he showed some great pace but a few bad breaks hindered his performance at the tour. After speaking to Clark he is very excited for this season and is confident that he can earn another ticket to represent Team Canada at the Rotax Grand Finals in Portugal.

Elvis Stojko:
The former figure skating World Champion is coming into the ECKC championship in his best form since he started racing in the class three years ago. This year Stojko raced the whole championship in Florida during the winter and gained some valuable experience working with Trevor Wickens and racing under the same tent as Mikko Laine, the 2014 Rotax Grand Finals DD2 Masters Champion. This week Stojko will be a threat for the race win and will hassle Clark for the championship.

Luc Sauriol:
We are happy to see that Luc Sauriol is going to be back in the seat of a go-kart this season. The 2006 Rotax Grand Finals Max Masters champion will be one to look for as he has the talent to challenge for the win every time jumps into a kart. While he might need a race or two to shake of the rust, there is no question a driver of his skill and racing knowledge will be at the front of the field this season.

The Spoilers

Jon Cariati:
The local Goodwood driver has many laps at the track and should be quick at this weekends ECKC race at Goodwood. Over the years Cariati has delivered some impressive performances and this weekend should be able fight for a podium once the racing begins just like he did in 2013 at the Canadian National Championship held at Goodwood Kartways.

Dean Cotton:
This winter the Maranello drivers weren’t the only ones racing south of the border as Dean Cotton raced for Ventresca Seberras Racing at the Homestead FWT round. It was a whole new venture for the Canadian racing agains the best masters drivers in the world. Coming into Goodwood Cotton should be able to use everything he learned to close the gap to the front of the field.

Andrew Calabrese:
Calabrese has been in and out of a kart for the past few seasons competing  in Rotax Senior, Rotax Masters, and DD2 Masters. This year Calabrese is back and focused on racing DD2 Masters. While it might be tough for him to compete against drivers who have been racing consistently for the past few years he, still can pull of a decent result since he will be racing the first round at his home track and can build from there.

 The Class Rookie

Tony Demarco:
After racing Shifter karts for many many years Demarco has made the switch to the DD2 Masters category in 2015. It will be interesting to see how the veteran driver adapts to the new kart and if he can be a challenger later in the season. Either way we are happy to see another new face in the category.

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