Returning to the track on Sunday morning, and things were looking up. Team boss Bill Vallis had worked on the F1200 car throughout the evening, testing out a new carburetor. The results were promising, but the real test would happen on track.
The Formula 1200s were the first group out on track, racing at 9:00 am sharp.
As soon as the race began, Daniel took the opportunity to make an outside pass at Turn 1. Moving up to the sharp end of the grid, he’d have to defend his position hard. The carburetor changes made overnight were an improvement, but the engine was still 2 seconds off the pace. Demaras would have to make up time in the twisty parts, because he was going to get blown away on the back straight.
Running as high as P4 during the morning race, Daniel brought the No. 12 Can-Jam Motorsports car home to a respectable Top 10 finishing position.
There was a long break until feature race, and Phil Wang, head of the FTDA, pulled out all the stops for the visiting American racers. A big BBQ lunch made sure our guests were well fed, and the prize raffle even put a $50 gas card in young Daniel’s pocket. Nice!
There’s a strong camaraderie in the F1200 paddock. If a rival is having a mechanical issue, everyone will pitch in turning wrenches to get that race car out on track. But once the visor on that helmet shuts, there are no friends on the race track.
Daniel lined up on a diminished grid, prepared to battle one last time
But it wasn’t attrition that ate away at the size of the grid. For some bizarre reason, the BEMC organization decided to move up the Feature Race by half an hour. Being the first race after the lunch break meant that racers could not just listen to sound of engines starting up as fair warning.
Some racers simply went home early, but it was disheartening to see 9 race cars did not start (DNS) and a further 2 arrived late to the pre-grid, forcing them to start at the tail end of the field, forfeiting the starting position they’d earned. There’s a solid number for Formula 1200 cars in the northeastern United States (even though they call them Formula Vee down there) and there’s hope that the competitors will return to Canada next season.
The feature race was another step forward for Daniel While the car was still not quick, Demaras raced his heart out. He challenged for position and drove aggressively through the corners. On the straights he succumbed to the inevitable, just watching as faster race cars powered right by.
In the end it was a P5 finishing position for the No. 12 Can-Jam Motorsports car wit a fastest lap of 1:46.6 to bring home some solid points. But the overall championship is impossible to win now. There’s only so many bad weekends a racer can have before the season is well and truly over.
One more race to go in the season. Back on track in two weeks for the CASC Celebration of Motorsports.