The racing season was very diverse, with Demaras Racing competing multiple disciplines. But for every racer, winning a championship is the ultimate goal. Ten years after starting in karts, and in only his second season of open-wheel racing, Daniel Demaras achieved his goal.
Here’s some highlights from 2023.
F1200 Season
Daniel Demaras started his sophomore season in Formula 1200 racing with a podium finish at the rainy spring trophy race. This started a string of podium finishes that went to the penultimate race of the season.
Ontario Time Attack
Both Chris and Daniel got to compete in Time Attack this season. While not wheel-to-wheel racing action, it still gave the Demaras Racing team time on track in their track car. Daniel did set the fastest lap time of any Miata at the event in May.
Pole Position at Mosport
Daniel earned his first pole position in the No. 12 MagiSeal Formula 1200 car at the BARC Touring Trophy in July (and took back-to-back pole positions in the next round). Consistent finished throughout the season, plus a new clutch, made the possibility of the championship run seem within reach.
Oval-Track Racing
For something completely different, Daniel Demaras joined the SKLD Motorsports team for a partial season. He drove the No. 9 Acura Integra on the high-banked oval at Sunset Speedway, with a best finish of 3rd in a heat race.
Big Win at Calabogie
During the annual F1200 ‘away’ race at Calabogie Motorsports Park, Daniel Demaras scored a clean sweep. Took pole position, won all three races and got to spray the champagne. One of those rare weekends when everything went right,
King of the Hill
The ‘King of the Hill’ spectator drags gave the opportunity for Daniel in the WRX to race against his father Chris in the MX-5. This was just a fun intermission event at Sunset, but Daniel made it all the way to the finals against powerful competition.
Celebrating a Championship
With four wins and two pole positions, Daniel clinched the 2023 Canadian Formula 1200 Championship. In the final weekend at Mosport, Daniel drove the No. 12 MagiSeal Formula 1200 car to a win against 8-time champ Phil Wang. Daniel was lucky enough to have the whole Demaras at the track to celebrate with him.
Off Road in the Off Season
Crazy Leo and Race Lab provided Demaras Racing with an opportunity to get back behind the wheel once the open wheel season (and stock-car season) was wrapped up. Driving rally-bred WRXs in their natural environment is an inspiration for the 2024 season.
Charity Event to Cap off a Great Year
The conclusion of the charity event (almost a year earlier) to give a young racer the chance to drive Demaras’ championship winning No. 12 MagiSeal F1200 car, while Daniel drove the No. 16 MagiSeal Miata alongside at Cayuga. A new charity event called Rally Against Hunger partnered Demaras Racing with Can-Jam Motorsports and Race Lab.
Championship Season
Here its is; the F1200 Driver’s Association OVERALL CHAMPION plaque listing champions from 1993 to the present. Drivers like Rob Beck, Brent Gilkes, Michael Iamundi and Phil Wang now have Daniel Demaras’ name is etched next to them.
Looking back at the racing season, it was an exciting time. First pole, win and championship in open wheel racing were highlights for Daniel. But the entire Demaras Racing family got to enjoy diverse racing experiences. Here’s hoping that 2024 is even better!