The Demaras Auto Racing Team’s biggest race weekend began on a quiet Friday. Daniel got to work on putting in strong lap times in preparation for the two big races ahead.
Saturday’s CRFKC race began with more practice with Daniel putting in a top 30 time. It rained in between practice and qualifying, so the Briggs Senior grid went out on the damp track with wet tires. Daniel managed his personal best qualifying in the CRFKC of 13th.
The #7’s race started well, mainly holding position through the opening laps. The whole race changed when it started to pour rain halfway through. Daniel struggled with his slick tires, and was caught up in a crash on the last lap, finishing 26th.
In the final, after the team laboured over whether to run slicks or wets due to a later downpour, the bulk of the field, Daniel included, chose dry tires. Daniel got into some fights throughout the race, but after losing places on the last lap, he finished 26th where he started.
Though Daniel was disappointed with this result, there was still Sunday to improve.
Sunday was a full reset on the race weekend. The rain was long gone, and the track was now going to be run in reverse configuration. Everyone would be starting from scratch.
With no practice on the reverse layout, Daniel’s first time put him 36th of 49 drivers. The orders for the first heat would be decided randomly, the second heat would be the first starting order in reverse, and the third heat would be the overall standings, reversed. Daniel checked the starting order, and was shocked to see that he’d be starting on pole.
After getting advice from mechanic Christopher, Pro owner and fellow Briggs Senior driver Darryl Timmers and VRS owner James Treadwell, Daniel’s nerves were slightly eased. However, an extended red flag after the previous race gave Daniel tons of time to be nervous on the grid.
Daniel’s first start was waived off, as it turns out he was going way too fast for the start. The second time around, they got the green and as the field of 49 rocketed through the opening turns, Daniel exited the opening complex in the lead.
After losing a couple places in the opening laps, Daniel made a mistake while being passed by Marco Di Leo, leading to him driving through the dirt, losing many places. He finished the heat in 36th.
For the second heat, Daniel was forced to start in 49th place.
He fought hard all race long, and managed to make up enough spots to finish 34th. With the two combined results reversed, Daniel started 13th for heat 3.
Though Darryl made quick work of Daniel, #7 made up several positions, and after a convenient red flag which would finish the race, he managed a 6th place finish, starting him 24th for the final.
Daniel fought hard all throughout the final, but was taken out of the race due to a massive pileup after the late race competition caution. His day ended with a 34th place finish.
A hard fought weekend, though one with disappointing results, was an eventful way to end of the season’s stretch at Mosport. The Demaras Auto Racing team now looks forward to a normal TRAK race at Goodwood next time out.
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