POLE POSITION: Touring Trophy Race

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Throughout the 2023 season, Demaras Racing has tried different racing disciplines. Driving a stock-car on the banked oval, trying out rally-cross in Kingston, even time-attack in the Miata.

After a month off, Daniel returned to F1200 open-wheel racing at the BARC Touring Trophy Races.

Back in the No. 12 MagiSeal / K1 Speed / Scarboro Subaru F1200 car for Friday practice, the car showed promising signs of improved pace, until a mechanical issue cropped up in the afternoon. Lost track time for Demaras.

By Saturday morning, the rain had been coming down all night, soaking the track. It continued into free practice, where many of the open-wheelers opted not to risk their cars by even going out on track. Daniel struggled with a faulty spark plug. Running on three cylinders prevented him from getting in any real practice on the wet track surface.

After taking the car apart and putting it back together in record time, the Vallis Motor Sport crew was hopeful that the No. 12 would run at full power during qualifying.

The F1200 field took to a soaked track to try and find the right balance between aggression and caution, and a few drivers did push too hard and lose control on the slick surface. Daniel was in control, pushing the car around the outsides of corners, catching his fellow F1200 drivers over the four laps given in qualifying before an unrelated crash brought the session to a close.

Back in the pits the results were made official. It was POLE POSITION for Daniel Demaras by a margin of over two seconds!

Daniel entered the afternoon’s race full of confidence, where he’d start up front for the first time in the Canadian Formula 1200 Championship.

Despite a good start, Demaras’ lead would be taken away early, and also creating a gap behind, extending his advantage over the pack fighting for third. A win would be out of reach; Daniel brought the No. 12 home a lonely 2nd place.

Though the day did not end as hoped, the pole position was a big accomplishment, outpacing the field in difficult conditions. With that result, the team went into Sunday confident that when situations were tricky, Daniel had the ability to adapt and thrive.

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