CKN Driver Blog: Gavin Saunders Looking for More Success at ECKC ICAR

Throughout the season we will have drivers from different races and categories share the views of their race weekend on CKN in our Driver Blogs. If you are interested in sharing your experiences on CKN, be sure to contact us at info@canadiankartingnews.com.

Hey Everyone, my name is Gavin Sanders and I live in Mount Albert, Ontario. I will be doing a driver blog on CKN this year and to start, I would like to give you a small intro so you know a little more about me.

I started karting in 2010 and have been racing at Goodwood Kartways in Stouffville, Ontario, for my entire career. When I started karting, I had no idea what I was getting into. This sport immediately became my spark and I couldn’t get enough of it.

I joined the TRAK (Toronto Racing Association of Karters) in the Honda Novice category to start and with the help of my dad, I learned how to do everything to do with karting, mechanically and mentally. I love the karting family at Goodwood Kartways! They are some of the nicest, friendliest people I know.

In 2014, I moved up to my current class, Briggs and Stratton Junior, which I believe holds some of the best racing in Canada. I have so much respect for the group of people I race with and I love my teammates and tuners.

“…Although I crossed the line in first, I picked up a one-position penalty after the race for making contact with another driver which meant I would have to continue waiting for my first ECKC win.”

This past weekend, as most of the eastern Canadian karting population know, the 2016 ECKC championship started up at Goodwood Kartways, my home track. When I started practice on Thursday, I knew this was going to be a special weekend.

The weather all weekend was perfect for my style of racing, and it provided some tough battles with other drivers and required plenty of focus to stay calm, cool, and collected. I had two successful practice days, and picked up more speed every session.

Sanders on the top of the ECKC podium for the first time in his career (Photo by: Cody Schindel / CKN)

On Saturday I tried a different driving style than I’m used to, putting me further down the grid in qualifying than I would have liked. After the session, I made an adjustment and put this behind me. This resulted in much better racing and me finally using multiple strategies in these situations. I went from 8th to 4th in the pre-final, which was a very good recovery considering how difficult overtaking can be in Briggs Junior. After an incredible last 4 laps in the final, I ended up 1st place after the Chequered flag flew. Although I crossed the line in first, I picked up a one-position penalty after the race for making contact with another driver which meant I would have to continue waiting for my first ECKC win.

“…I took the lead and never looked back, leading every lap and collecting the win I’ve dreamt of for a long time!”

Sunday finally rolled around and it was almost identical to Saturday’s results, just a teensy bit better. I was starting 3rd for the final, in prime position for another attempt at a win. After 3 failed start attempts, I was pushed up to the lead because of the pole change rule and the race began. After my immediate advantage from starting in the pole position, I took the lead and never looked back, leading every lap and collecting the win I’ve dreamt of for a long time!

Looking ahead, this weekend’s race at ICAR is crucial but this track is one of my favourites and I hope that there will be good, clean, exciting races all day long. I want to say a big thanks to my tuners, the officials and the Goodwood Kartways staff for an incredible, flawless weekend. Oh, and thanks to my dad, too. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again at ICAR and I can’t wait to share more experiences and stories with you.

Gavin Sanders
Junior Briggs #610