The Peter Jackson Trophy Race was a shortened, one day event, but Daniel Demaras arrived a day early to get in some laps in his Miata practice car. This was his kind of track; technical.
Friday’s running gave Daniel a leg up in Saturday morning practice. already aware of the bumps and seams in the track.
Qualifying went well too, with the No. 12 setting faster times every lap. While running as high as second (behind ‘the champ’ Phil Wang) Demaras would line up P3, after the lunch break.
The Classics and Vintage Historics, including a hot-rod Volvo P1600, put on an amazing display of driver ability. Lap after lap, cars would run side-by-side through Turn 9 and onto the front straight. Respectful, clean, high-speed racing impressed the gathered spectators.
The Formula Classics took to the track, and Race 1 started off so well. With the No. 173 on pole, the No. 12 started directly behind. A good jump at the green flag promoted Demaras up to second place on the opening lap.
Multi-class racing requires finesse for faster cars, like the No. 77 Formula Mazda, to thread the needle between F1200s who are immersed in their own battles. But there was a lot of contact, particularly dangerous in open-wheel cars. Some of this was due to the nature of the twisty track. Some was not.
On the final lap, No. 12 and No. 49 were locked in a battle. Exiting Turn 7, the No. 49 went defensive, moving to the left side of the track, as the No. 12 went track right, preparing to overtake. Approaching Turn 8, the No. 49 switched to the right side of the track, in front of the speeding No. 12. The inevitable collision sent the No. 12 car airbourne. Was it a block? A brake check? Or a late passing maneuver?
Check out the video and draw your own conclusion.
Daniel did not suffer an injury from the collision, or from the hard landing. But the No. 12 suffered extensive (and expensive) damage.
There were only 40 minutes between Race 1 and Race 2, and it took forever to get the race car back to the paddock. But Vallis Motor Sport showed why they are a top-flight team. There was never a question whether the No. 12 would make the final race.
Misaligned front end, nosecone held on with Bear Bond tape (the dzus fasteners were wrecked), and a steering box that made every corner a guessing game as to how much input was required. Daniel put on a champions drive, wrestling the open wheeler through the corners, and even making a last corner pass to take P4.
Without question, the toughest race weekend of the year for Daniel Demaras in the No. 12 MagiSeal / Scarboro Subaru / K1 Speed F1200 car. What should have been a shot at the podium was a test of survival instead.
Seems to me the #49 deliberately slammed the brakes right after moving to the right. Such a shame, because the two drivers were fighting an exciting battle.
Agreed. Existed Turn 7, stayed track left…the went track right and slammed on the brakes. Very disappointing end to a good fight.