ECKC: Clark and Cariati Rise to the Challenge in DD2 Masters

Round number one of the 2015 Eastern Canadian Karting Championship is in the books after a superb weekend of racing at Goodwood Kartways, just north of Toronto, Ontario. Over 170 competitors took the track amongst nice classes, displaying some of the best racing we have ever seen at the ECKC.

The return of a Grand Finals Champion, a three-time class champion, and a fan favourite set the tone for the Rotax DD2 Masters category.

Saturday

Elvis Stojko (Prime/Maranello) showed this his hard work this off-season is paying off as he put in a flyer in Saturday’s qualifying session to take pole position with John Cariati (Goodwood/Intrepid) the only other driver in DD2 Masters to break into the 35-second bracket.

The Prefinal saw a shake up in the running order immediately as Stojko, Luc Sauriol (PSL Karting/BirelART) and Stuart Clark (Prime/Maranello) collided in corner one allowing Andrew Calabrese (Intrepid) to jump out to a huge lead and take the heat win, with Sauriol and Clark recovering to complete the top-three.

After two false starts in the Final Calabresse was sent to row two, elevating Clark the Pole-position. Showing off the form we know all too well of, Clark lead the Final from start to finish and never conceded the position, adding to his win total in DD2 Masters ECKC competition. Sauriol finished in second, ahead of Stojko. Cariati and Calabrese finished fourth and fifth.

Stuart Clark (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Sunday

Sauriol was the fast qualifier on Sunday ahead of Cariati, Clark, and Stojko. Sauriol and Clark lead the way in the Prefinal with Cariati finishing in third. Another rough Prefinal left Stojko saw him involved in another first corner incident at the start.

The Masters once again had trouble getting the green flag and after they finally received it, officials didn’t like it and called for a complete restart. After another false start, Clark was moved to row two, while Sauriol remained on the pole.

Finally getting the green flag Sauriol jumped to the early lead with Cariati slotting into second. Clark worked by David Nevin in corner four and there was a three kart battle for the lead. On lap three it appeared Sauriol was having trouble in corner four as both Cariati and Clark closed right in. The next time by, Sauriol overshot the corner and Cariati snuck by for the lead. Clark attempted to follow but was unable to gain the position.

With Sauriol continuing to struggle through four, Clark dove to the inside in corner five a lap later to gain the position, but Sauriol took it back in corner nine. Clark tried the same move the next time by, but this time the two made contact, issuing Clark a warning, but from that point he was unable to mount another charge before the finish.

Out front all alone, Cariati closed out the weekend’s event with his first ECKC win, earning a major cheer at the podium ceremony. Sauriol and Clark stood by his side on the podium while Nevin and Calebrese were fourth and fifth.

John Cariati (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)