Utilizing the upcoming Eastern Canadian Karting Championship event at Mosport Interntional Karting, the Mosport International Karting Association (MIKA) and Toronto Racing Association for Karters (TRAK) got together and held their first combined club event of the season this past weekend. The event was a hit, as not only did 140+ drivers enter the event, but every class saw great racing and very healthy fields.
Rotax Senior Draws Big Crowd
Highlighting the day was the Rotax Senior class, drawing 27 entries it filled the fences with everyone on hand getting a glimpse of the action. Many of the drivers were practicing for ECKC, but there was a still a large group of club racers getting in on the action and absorbing the chance to race against some of Canada’s best. Kevin Monteith put his Birel on top, showing that he is ready for ECKC and will be a contender next weekend while Bryson Schutte put in a solid performance while making his debut on a TonyKart. The racing from first to last was exciting is great to see at the club level. Local racer Johnny Flute completed the podium.
Micro-Max Puts on a Great Show
While not every member from TRAK made the trek to Mosport, there was still a healthy ten karts in Rotax Micro-Max. The youngest division on the grid continues to produce great racing with Xavier Harris going flag to flag to score the win, while Matthew Latifi nearly tracked him down after electing to start the final from the rear of the grid. CKN will be keeping an eye on both drivers this coming weekend.
New Crop of Contenders in Rotax Junior
With many of last seasons top Rotax Juniors moving up to Senior or onto car racing, the division saw a bunch of new faces running up front at Mosport. After an up and down rookie campaign, Jeffrey Kingsley put himself on the top of the podium and is showing an impressive early season pace, getting track time in Ontario and Quebec. Anthony Tolfa has been groomed into a threat and will be one to watch at ECKC this season while Davide Greco surprised many by leading early on the Final. Not counting out the sophomores, Tyler Ripani and Taegan Poles were quick while 2012 ECKC Mini-Max runner-up Austin Riley also impressed many as he continues his rookie Junior campaign. Adding in some of the best drivers from the Quebec region and possibly a few international drivers and Rotax Junior will once again provide some of the best action at ECKC this season.
Mixture of Briggs & Stratton and Honda drivers
While many regions of Canada have exclusively taken on the Briggs & Stratton engine platform, Ontario seems to be hanging on to the Honda engine. But this weekend saw the field split down the middle in both Junior and Senior divisions. Many in the paddock have been talking about the transition from Honda to Briggs and this weekends ECKC should provide a great display as it is rumoured that 20+ drivers will line the Senior Briggs class. We can’t wait!
Mosport Needs a Haircut
One thing those in attendance at Mosport noticed was the long grass around the track and paddock. Needing a trim, some even went to their own extent to borrow a lawn mower and cut out their pit spot. Hopefully the track managers at the facility can clean up the grass in time for the ECKC event this week.
Unofficial Practice for this weekends Eastern Canadian Karting Championship will be on track all week with the event officially kicking off on Friday. Two race days are set for Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2 to kick of the 2013 ECKC season. CKN will be trackside all weekend providing complete event coverage including as they happen results, race reports, interviews, photo galleries and more.
