Race Lab has been part of the Demaras Racing story for years. Founded by two-time Canadian Rally Champion “Crazy Leo” Urlichich, the advanced driving school teaches car control using techniques developed through motorsport, often on low-grip or mixed surfaces where drivers quickly learn what their a car is really capable of. Daniel has trained there. Chris has driven too. Now it is Michelle’s turn.
On Sunday September 27th, Michelle will spend two-hours in Race Lab’s Advanced Car Control School, learning skills that go well beyond ordinary driver training. The program focuses on understanding accurate vehicle placement, weight distribution, threshold braking, hand-over-hand steering, the grip circle, and controlling the car under all conditions.
One of Race Lab’s simplest exercises can also be one of the most useful. Drivers are asked to guide a car through pylon gates that initially look much too narrow. After a few attempts, the driver begins to develop a much better sense of exactly where the four corners of the car are.
That kind of awareness is useful whether somebody is driving through a parking lot, along a narrow city street or across a loose gravel course.
While Michelle is working through the Advanced Car Control program, Chris will get his own half-hour session appropriately called Extreme Driving. Exactly how educational that portion of the afternoon will be remains to be seen.
The timing makes the visit even more special. September 26 and 27 mark Race Lab’s 11th Birthday celebration at Crazy Farm in Markham. The anniversary weekend will include mixed-surface driving, Race Lab Subarus, rides in a real rally car, a Drivers Expo, contests, raffles, prizes and a complimentary BBQ. Families and spectators are welcome too, whether they are driving or simply watching the action.
Race Lab describes its philosophy simply: Freedom. Control. Adventure. This is real driving. For the Demaras family, the September weekend will add another name to the Race Lab alumni list. Daniel has done it. Chris has done it.
Now Michelle gets the keys.