CKN ECKC Preview: Rotax DD2

The 2013 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship hits the track this weekend for the first of four stops in 2013. Entering its fourth year of competition, the ECKC is Canada’s largest racing series and draws drivers from Ontario and Quebec, as well as the Eastern provinces of Canada and a few of our American friends. This year the series will kick off at Mosport Interntional Karting which is part of Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario for the first time as the previous three years have started at Goodwood Kartways. Promising great racing, big grids and plenty of future motorsports talent, the ECKC is the place to be for premier kart racing in Canada.

CKN is if the official media partner of the 2013 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship and has put together it’s official previews to air all this week. Following each event, CKN will have their own version of a Power Rankings for the Rotax Junior, Senior and DD2 classes. Each event, CKN will also select one Junior category and one Senior category driver as their respective ‘CKN ECKC Driver of the Weekend’, earning an article on the website about their weekend.

As teams and drivers begin descending onto the grounds at Mosport, here is out rundown for Rotax DD2. Tracking down as many of the entries as possible, CKN presents its preview as well as threats and drivers to watch.

CKN will have a Live Chat operating during the ECKC rounds this weekend at Mosport. Tune in and join the conversation at https://www.canadiankartingnews.com/live

Rotax DD2

It is amazing to think that Rotax DD2 was nearly the largest class at the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship only two years ago, and now there is only thirteen drivers confirmed for the season opener. Nearly the entire top-ten from the 2012 championship has moved on from the two-speed premier class, whether it’s to car racing, team management, tuning or simply just done karting. It’s sad to see, but it is what is, and we still have a 3-Time Grand Finals champion competing this weekend.

Of course that puts Ben Cooper (KMS North America/Birel) in the drivers seat to defend his ECKC title from 2012. He had a stunning 2012 season and is now pulling double duty as he operates the KMS North America operation out of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. After making the switch to the two-speed class for the Florida Winter Tour, Marco Di Leo (IPK North America/Praga) plans to give Cooper a run for his money and the championship. Prime Powersports/Maranello teammates Brendan Bain and Fred Woodley should be able to mix things up as will Cory Cacciavillani (CF Racing/CRG). Enrico Menotti is a past winner at Mosport and he looked quick last weekend as Mosport, while Alessandro Bizzotto (PSL Karting/CRG) is hoping to have a breakout season in DD2.

Drivers to watch:

Ben Cooper:  Four major titles in 2012, Cooper has a challenge on his hands to defend them all, but he started it off right by winning the Florida Winter Tour DD2 championship. His raw speed will make him tough to beat this year.

Marco Di Leo: Able to drive basically anything with four wheels, Di Leo was up to speed quickly in Florida in a global talent-filled class. He and Cooper could wage some serious battles this year, especially in round two as the series shifts to Di Leo’s hometrack of Goodwood.

Enrico Menotti: Menotti fell under the radar in 2012 and is looking to bounce back this year. Switching back to a CRG and now with PSL Ontario the Toronto pilot should be quick at Mosport.

Cory Cacciavillani: After being out of a kart for months, Cacciavillani jumped into a CRG at Homestead for the Florida Winter Tour and was immediately racing with some of the worlds best. He gave Di Leo a run for his money last weekend at Mosport and could be the sleeper pick this weekend to get on the podium.

Enrico Menotti is looking to return to top of the ECKC podium at Mosport
(Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

CKN Unofficial Rotax DD2 Entry List:

**If you are competing and not on the list, be sure to email info@canadiankartingnews.com to get added.

CKN Poll:

 Loading ...