Every weekend, millions of people watch racing on TV, or head out to their local track to watch it live. Motor racing is hugely popular and even after 108 years, the Indianapolis 500 is still the largest spectator event in the world. While regional racing in Canada doesn’t have the same reach as IndyCar, we at Demaras Racing have always tried to use the attention that racing brings as a platform to do some good in the community.
Back in December, we held the Rally Against Hunger charity event and food drive. We invited competitors to a charity race where the qualifying positions were based on donations brought for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Total weight of food collected that day in December was 1,220 Lbs! Young driver Christian brought a huge donation that day, started P2, and finished runner up in the Rally Against Hunger. This won him a ride in the insane Drift Taxi for himself and his family.
Sunday was Round 1 of the CSCS Drift / Drag / Time Attack series, held at the Mosport DDT. World famous Subaru customizers Can-Jam Motorsports were represented on track by Roel Mallari in the Drift Taxi. Affectionately called Rolo by his friends, this wrench wizard spent the day giving thrill rides to passengers in his highly modified 2003 Subaru Forester. The family-hauler features a fully-built EJ25 pushing out 600 HP to the rear wheels and what looks like a hundred point roll cage cradling 4 racing seats.
At high noon, Christian and his mom Sheri climbed into the yellow taxi and took the ride of their lives. Christian competes in some fast machinery with JMF Karting but nothing could prepare him for the insane power and incredible vehicle dynamics of a drift car. Rolo turned in sharply, pitching the Subaru sideways, jostling his passengers in their seats. Through clouds of tire smoke, the Drift Taxi executed the course with precision, and returned to the paddock to drop off the passengers, smiles plastered on their faces.
To think all of this started with a charity fundraiser with a great prize for generous racers. Special thanks to Duane at Can-Jam Motorsports and Rolo in the Drift Taxi for making this moment a reality.