The 2013 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship finally got under way as a record turnout of drivers filled the grids at Mosport International Karting, just north of Bowmanville, Ontario. The weather kept everyone on their toes as it switched from dry to rain, back to dry, back to rain, and then dry to complete the day. Regardless of the weather, the racing action was intense in nearly every class and those who stayed to watch got a great show.
Tyler Ripani (Karts & Parts/LH Kart) had a good start to his sophomore season in Rotax Junior ahead of rookie Junior Gianfranco Mazzaferro (Ferrolati Corse/TonyKart). Anthony Tolfa (Summit GP/Tony Kart) who was one of the favourites coming in the race was third ahead of Jeffrey Kingsley (Pserra Racing/Tony Kart) and Adam Martin (Maranello North America/Maranello) who suprised many in the paddock with his good run in qualifying.
Ripani was able to keep the lead at the start of the Pre Final ahead of Tolfa, Mazzaferro, Kingsley and Christophe Paquet (PSL Karting/CRG). Wasting no time Mazzaferro passed Tolfa in turn five to take second position on lap one. He made the same move on Ripani the next time by with Tolfa following the new leader into second. On lap four Tolfa would attempt to take the lead from Mazzaferro but was denied the position. At this point Ripani started to fade allowing Paquet by and into third and Nicolas Dore (Birel) to catch up to him by the end of the race.
The Final however was mixed with different conditions as the track was wet as drivers headed out on to the track and everyone on rain tires. Tolfa had a good start and got by Mazzaferro on the outside of turn one and then immediately put a gap on the field as a wild accident claimed a few victims only inches past the start line. David Greco (Pserra Racing/TonyKart) came from ninth at the start of the final to second as he was quick in the wet. Top five in the race at this point was Tolfa, Greco, Mazzaferro, Paquet and Dore as everyone was holding station. In the closing stages of the race drivers were adapting to the drying track. Tolfa, who had everyone convinced he had the race in the bag with almost a straight away lead from the rest of the field. But Dore was the man on the move after half distance as he was able to get by the three drivers in front of him then put down fast laps in hope of catching the leader. Making his moves on the final lap Dore passed for second in the bowl, he then had his sights on a cautious Tolfa and a very impressive late brake into turn nine, allowed him to catch and dive under Tolfa for the lead and ultimately the victory in corner ten. Paquet would finish third ahead of Graco and American Gavin Reichelt.
The Junior field has many drivers to keep an eye on and tomorrow will once again be a great race.
