Back-to-Back Pole Positions

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~ by Daniel Demaras ~

Round 4 of the Canadian Formula 1200 Championship was the series’ annual trip to Calabogie Motorsports Park just outside of Ottawa.

The Calabogie circuit is long and technical, with many complex corners that test the skill of a driver, and a lap-time clocking in at over 2 minutes and 30 seconds in an F1200.

On Friday, I had the chance to get refreshed on the layout, before the rest of the practice day became an exercise in wet-weather driving. Although it would remain dry for the rest of the weekend, it was a good way to become acclimatized to the features of the track, by having to adapt to the wet. The car, equipped with a new clutch, felt better than ever. Every shift was smooth and the power felt great.

On Saturday morning we got one more practice session before qualifying around noon. With the track well heated up, the conditions were nothing like Friday’s, but I was happy with the car and earned pole position for the second consecutive race!

As the sun started setting, it was time for race one of the weekend. I took the green and led the F1200 field into the flat out first corner. I took the middle of the track into turn 2, where Kenny tried to send a move around the outside. When that didn’t work out, I opened up a bit of a gap to the drivers behind, and as they started fighting,

I began to extend the lead. Lap after lap, I kept pushing, while remaining mindful of the distance to the car behind; I wanted to increase the gap without taking unnecessary risks. When the white flag was shown, I looked in my mirrors and, realizing that I was under no threat, took it easy to come home for my first ever F1200 victory!

Coming back to the pits and being congratulated by my Dad and the whole Vallis Motor Sport team was a great feeling. Everyone has worked hard to get the No. 12 car and myself to the front of the grid, and for the first time I took top honours.

With two races left in the weekend, I was feeling strong.

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