There used to be a show called the Canadian Motorsports Expo. All the racing series would bring their new race cars for the upcoming season, plus some vintage machines. There was also a show called Speedorama, sometimes held at the Automotive Building at Exhibition Place with hot rods and custom cars on display.
But the line between car enthusiasts and motorsports fans is blurry, and it’s hard to say which show a “Pre-War Speedster” belongs at. Rather than competing against one another, the shows were combined into Motorama; it just made financial sense.
At Motorama 2024 there was a huge group of race cars on display, especially oval-track cars. NASCAR is the most popular racing series in America, and the affordability of short-oval racing at local tracks makes it incredibly popular with participants. All the big local tracks like Sunset Speedway and Flamboro Speedway were at the show, handing out the season schedules.
Lots of vintage machines and the latest competition cars were on display, and it’s such a diverse group.
The problem with race cars at the show is that you don’t get to climb into them, like you can with ‘regular’ cars at the Canadian International Auto Show. For kids, that’s a big thing.
That’s why everyone loves the Formula 1200 cars!
Formula 1200 is a budget-friendly, open-wheel racing series that’s been running for 60+ years in Canada and is still popular around the world. The cars are not high-dollar machines, so when Daniel Demaras started his shift at the CASC booth, he invited spectators to sit in the race car on display. What a hit!
The bright yellow and black No. 113 car is owned by Phil Wang, who is a multi-time series champion. He helps organize the Canadian Formula 1200 Championship, and is always looking for a way to get new racers into these race cars. The last thing he’s worries about is scratching the paint on one of his ‘arrive and drive’ cars. If he can get a young kid excited about racing, its mission accomplished.
Daniel remembers being a kid at these kids of motorsports expos. Staring at the Formula cars, and wondering what it would be like to compete in one. That’s why he takes the initiative to show young racers that there is a world beyond kart racing. Racing is an expensive business, and many consider it a rich man’s sport. But between short track oval racing and F1200 road racing, there are options that can get any qualified driver behind the wheel of a race car this season.
For more information about the Canadian Formula 1200 Series, check out www.Formula1200.com to see what all the excitement is about!
I really like you and your fam.
Thanks Susan!
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You know, the family that plays together stays together. And the family that races together … well I don’t know what they do.