ECKC: Friendly Rivalry in Briggs & Stratton Masters Championship

One driver returned to the cockpit of go-kart mid-season of 2014, the other back in the saddle at the beginning of 2015. Two challengers from more than a decade ago renewed their rivalry on the Eastern Canadian Karting Championship battle grounds this season and after three rounds and six races, it all came down to the season finale in Mont-Tremblant.

Mike Rogers (K&K Kart) has been very impressive in his comeback season, scoring three wins in the first six ECKC races along with the Canadian Vice-Championship, while David Anderson (Intrepid) hadn’t topped the podium in 2015, but a trio of second-place results and a little luck kept him in the championship.

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Saturday

There was a third member in the championship chase and although he was very distant, he didn’t let that come between him and scoring his first ECKC victory.

Scott Jefferies (Kosmic) delivered a perfect performance on Saturday, edging Eli Yanko (FA Kart) for the pole-position, then with the help of his bother Rob, the two broke free and finished 1-2 in the PreFinal.

As the skies opened up for the Final and everyone switched the rain tires, Jefferies was still in a league of his own. After battling with bother Rob, Rogers, James Dunn (Margay) and Pierre Gilbert (Kosmic), Scott took the lead on lap ten and utilized some jockeying behind him to break free and cruise to the victory.

Coming into the final corner, Rogers get into the side of Dunn sending him into a spin and although Rogers crossed in second, he would eventually be scored as fifth, moving Rob Jefferies and Anderson only the Saturday podium.

ABOVE: David Anderson celebrates his ECKC victory. TOP: Scott Jefferies mastered the rainy conditions to win on Saturday. (Photos by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

Sunday

As the sun rose on Sunday, only 65 points separated Rogers and Anderson as both drivers drew flashbacks of club racing championships at Goodwood.

Mario Martin (TonyKart) nipped both Guy Savard (FA Kart) and Gilbert for the pole-position in Qualifying by 0.031 seconds, Anderson went to work in the PreFinal taking the win after starting seventh with Rogers three spots behind him in fourth.

Now only 50 points behind Rogers for the title, Anderson did what he had to do, jumping out to the early lead in Final with Rogers leaping up to second before the opening lap was complete.

The front two ran nose to tail the entire way, Rogers playing it safe in second, Anderson holding on for life in the lead and eventually the win. Even though it was his first victory of the season and he did everything he needed to on Sunday, Rogers did the same and with his second place result, he confirmed the championship is his first season back in a kart.

Yanko completed the race day podium while Scott Jefferies closed out the championship podium, with Dunn and Corey Walsh (BirelART) completing the ECKC top-five.

Taking the title in his first year back in karts, Mike Rogers tops the ECKC Championship podium with David Anderson (l) as vice-champion and Scott Jefferies (r) as third place. (Photo by: Cody Schindel/CKN)

To recap all of our coverage from Mont-Tremblant, check out our event page!