Congratulations to PRO team principal Curtis Fox who won at Cup Karts North America “GRAND NATIONALS III” at New Castle Motorsports Park this weekend.
Daniel Demaras has been fortunate enough to have Curtis as his driving coach for the past two seasons. Seeing Fox get back in the saddle, beating National Champions Jon Treadwell and Jordan Prior really helped hammer home the point:
1 JORDAN PRIOR – 1885
2 ALEX MURPHY – 1845
3 CHAD WEBSTER – 1560
4 LOGAN PLODER – 1530
5 ZACH BOAM – 1350
6 EVAN SAFARI – 895
7 DANIEL DEMARAS – 880
8 KHLOE DRUMMOND – 745
9 ADRIAN KONIARZ – 700
10 JON TREADWELL – 690
11 VASSIL TCHIPLAKOV – 685
12 PETER GUATTO – 670
13 BRENNAN TAYLOR – 605
14 NATE FRANCO – 545
15 DAVID BARNES – 480
16 AVERY MILLER – 470
17 ADRIAN BANCILA – 430
18 MIKE DE LA PLANTE – 385
19 T. McCULLOUGH – 375
20 OWYN THOMAS – 355
21 RYAN ARMSTRONG – 315
22 TYLER FRIER – 305
23 TIM KNIGHT – 265
24 ALEC DRUMMOND – 260
25 PEARCE HERDER – 250
26 KIKA FERRARI – 240
27 KEIDON FLETCHER – 235
28 CARLY PANNETON – 205
29 CODY FENTON – 200
30 KEVIN MONTEITH – 200
31 TRAVIS BRACEY – 190
32 SPENCER TODD – 180
33 DAWSON CAMPBELL – 175
34 N. HORNBOSTEL – 175
35 SHAWN KNOWLTON – 175
36 KYLE LITHERLAND – 170
37 ANDREW AINSLEY – 160
38 LEVON BEAUDIN – 155
39 MATTHEW JONES – 150
40 ALEX DASILVA – 130
41 CAMERON HOGG – 130
42 GAVIN SANDERS – 120
43 NOLAN BOWER – 120
44 A COLUCCIO – 110
45 B CHRISTIANSEN – 100
46 JOSHUA CONQUER – 100
47 ALEX SAVAGLIO – 100
48 RYAN BRUTZKI – 95
49 JEN GRAY – 90
50 GARRETT OTT – 85
51 EVAN MCINTOSH – 75
52 TOBY HOUSTON – 75
53 ROBERT SOROKA – 75
54 TYLER BARBAN – 70
55 M. RADAELLI – 65
56 MARTIN RATCHIS – 65
57 JORDAN HALL – 55
58 MAX HAVERKATE – 55
59 ANDREW O’BRIEN – 50
60 STEVEN CHAN – 35
61 ERIC BOS – 15
62 JAMIE BASSETT – 0
63 AAPKARAN SIDHU – 0
64 MARC STEHLE – 0
The Toronto Racing Association of Karters 2019 TRAK Series was a big improvement for Daniel Demaras. The previous year, as a rookie in Briggs SR, Demaras finished 15th in the standing with 675 points. But in 2019, his 205 additional points powered Demaras to 7th in the TRAK annual standings with 880 points.
“2019 was absolutely the best season I’ve had in club racing so far. I started the year off super well, picked up some good results throughout the summer and ended off the year with two top ten finishes. There were definitely points I deserved but didn’t get, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Working with Curtis Fox, Darryl Timmers, Gianmarco Raimondo, Andrew Waring, Eric Gerrits, Christopher Proietto, Nick Waring, Cole Hooton, Kenneth O’Keefe and Spencer Todd really allowed me to improve as a driver. Being able to review every move I made on track with some of the most knowledgeable guys in Canadian karting allowed me to challenge for top five finishes throughout the year.
As with any season, there’s always the tough days at the track. This year, with the help of PRO, I was able to use those days to my advantage, learning and growing every time that I struggled. I did finish 3rd in the pre-final at round 2, my best position in any session since I began club racing. I also scored a best ever result to end the day in round 1 with a 5th place.
I am definitely satisfied with 2019, but I want even more from 2020. I’ve only gotten quicker between seasons in my time as a driver, and I want that trend to continue into next year. I know that with PRO Racing, and the help of my sponsors K1 Speed, KPMG, Scarboro Subaru, Nostalgia Coffee Company, Laird Auto Body and Kenya Coffee, I can achieve everything I want to on track. Now that 2019 is in the books, I’ve got my eyes all over an even better 2020.”
Daniel Demaras, No.12 / PRO / Intrepid / Briggs & Stratton
A short 2 minute video of last week’s race, if you don’t want to watch the full 15 minute race.
After 12 rounds of highly-competitive Briggs and Stratton racing action, the final round of the 2019 TRAK series arrived. Weather conditions changed ahead of morning practice, leaving everyone quite confused about what tires to run. Daniel and his PRO teammate (all carrying R2ENDALZ decals on their karts) decided on rain tires, as the risk wasn’t worth the reward. Although Daniel finished the session 9th, he kept it out of the wall, unlike some slick tire runners.
Though there was still some moisture on the circuit, the right choice for qualifying was to put on slicks. Daniel was lined up alongside Webster, Ploder and Knight, ready for a good qualifying session with the ability to run in a pack, but his plans were curtailed by a flat right rear tire. The problem was discovered while waiting on grid (not on track) and PRO’s mechanics could change the Vega tire and get Demaras out in time to qualify, only missing 2 laps. Daniel struggled with the conditions and the tires from two different sets, and qualified last.
Daniel knew he had work to do in the prefinal, and was determined to move up the pack. A good getaway from the green flag, and some quick thinking as the #389 of Jordan Prior hit the wall in turn one allowed Daniel to make up places. A spin from the leader and some wheel to wheel racing and Demaras found himself in 7th, six places up from his starting position.
After passing the #385 Kart and being passed by #409, Daniel went for a last lap lunge on Chad Webster in turn 9. The slippery asphalt on the inside meant Demaras couldn’t get good traction out of the corner, and ended the prefinal a solid P7.
The Final did not go as well for Daniel. After being jumped by Zach Boam at the start, Daniel simply couldn’t make any overtakes as he had in the PreFinal. As the tires overheated, and the kart began to oversteer, Demaras was hit from behind in Turn 5, sending home over the kerbs, and briefly caused him to be high-centred as he slid along the concrete, his tires not making contact with the ground. Demaras salvaged a To p10 finish in the final race of the year. Unable to make up any positions Daniel finished the final race of the year
Two years ago Daniel would’ve killed for a top 10 finish. Now, he wants more. Though the season may not have ended perfectly, Daniel saw massive improvements throughout the 2019 season, with many exciting moments.
“Tough way to end the season. We were quick at times, at other times we were not. The final didn’t go my way, but I did get to have some fun in the pre-final. Big congratulations to my teammate Chad for taking his second consecutive win today. I am satisfied with the 2019 season, and I hope to come back stronger in 2020.”
Daniel Demaras, PRO
Demaras Racing supports R2ENDALZ. But this weekend, the entire PRO karting team showed their support, and showed their colours.
SEASON FINALE – Long Track. Qualifying Format
PRACTICE DAY – Friday, September 27th, 2019
RACE DAY – Saturday, September 28th, 2019
RACE ORDER
Demaras Racing headed up to Goodwood Kartways for the penultimate race of 2019 TRAK season. Daniel was looking for a strong result on the reverse long-track layout.
On Friday practice, Daniel reduced his lap times by a second during the one hour session, despite a number of lockups in Turn 9. After hitting a kerb, Daniel did litter the track with some random kart parts. The engine kill switch flew off his motor, creating a bit of drama in a day that otherwise went off without a hitch. When Demaras entered pit lane at the end of his session, he couldn’t shut off the engine, so Chris Demaras and Luigi Ferrari discussed just letting the gas tank run empty. John Elphage arrived on scene, pulled the air filter off, and cupped his hand over the carburetor to starve the engine of air; immediate shut off.
As Daniel Demaras’ on track session ended, Chris Demaras’ session began. Round 9 of the Friday Night CRKC was about to begin, and Chris was feeling strong off back to back podium finishes.
Saddled with Kart 90, Demaras never stood a chance. One of the idiosyncrasies of A&D racing is the completely random kart assignment. Chris qualified the under-performing kart in 6th place, had some exceptional battles under the lights, including a double pass (two karts!) in Turn 4. Demaras ran as high as 4th, but had to settle for a 5th pace finish. All in all, Chris enjoyed the aggressive racing, and was happy to see his friend Igor on the podium again, while K1 alumni Dale Goz also made it to the podium in only his fourth CRKC race at Goodwood
With the preparations out of the way, Saturday race day arrived. Daniel felt confident of a strong result this week.
It was a cool morning on race day. A very special day lay ahead. On the reverse layout at Goodwood, there’d be two heat races with randomly assigned starting positions. The results of the heat races would be used to determine the qualifying order for the final race.
Daniel went out for morning practice, and despite a severe lack of grip, really found his groove, flying past several races. Demaras finished the session in fourth place, only 0.2 sec. off of the fastest driver. After reviewing data with PRO data analyst Gianmarco, Daniel was ready for Heat Race 1, where he would start 9th.
Daniel got off to a good start, but lost places to Prior and Ploder. Demaras recovered his positions and passed 4 drivers, but ran out of laps before he could find a way into 6th place, finishing 7th.
Daniel started in 6th position for Heat Race 2, and after another good start, was running fourth. He tried to run down the top three, but couldn’t find the straight line speed needed to catch the leading pack that was using the draft so effectively. Demaras ended up falling back to 6th place at the checkered flag, which is exactly where he would start the Final.
The race didn’t start well, as Daniel lost two places due to a poorly timed overtake. Daniel struggled with the high track temperatures, and seemed stuck in 8th place. At the hairpin, Daniel’s kart began to bicycle, getting up on the two outside wheels. As another racer dove for the inside of the corner, he collided with Demaras, sending both of them off track. Fuming, Daniel hunted down the next competitor and made an aggressive overtake in Turn 5, ending the day 9th.
It was a super day for the whole PRO team, with double podium finishes in Briggs Cadet, courtesy of Santiago Ramirez and Stefano Picerno in first and second respectively. In Briggs Senior, Chad Webster had a break-out day, earning his first win since 2015, while Logan Ploder finished 3rd.
“It was a day with a lot of promise that unfortunately didn’t end well. We had incredible pace in low grip conditions, but lost it all in the afternoon. It’s disappointing to end the day like that, but it means that we have potential, and that the last race of the year could very well be the best one yet. I’m looking forward to ending the year strong.”
Daniel Demaras, No.12 PRO Intrepid Briggs & Stratton SR
TRAK RACE 11 –SATURDAY SCHEDULE
TRAK RACE 11 – RACE ORDER
The annual Goodwood Night Race. It’s a favourite at Demaras Racing bcause it’s such a unique event. Race day starts at noon, rather than 7:30 am, which is luxurious by racing standards.
The PRO tent was at capacity as racers from Mosport and Goodwood lined up their karts for the last big event of the year.
In FP1, Daniel ran a 47.519 sec. lap, as the track was green from overnight rains. His times improved to 46.748 sec. in FP2 and down to 46.586 sec in final practice, shaving nearly a second off his times.
In qualifying, Daniel struggled to get a clean lap without traffic. As drivers pushed hard, some spun, bringing out yellow flags. But Demaras set a personal best time of 46.580 sec.
The pre-final was one of those “what could have been” moments for the No.12 kart. Light rain had fallen, making the track slick and treacherous; conditions Daniel thrives in. While he started 17th, Demaras was up to 13th place by the end of the first lap, made up another position on lap two, and was running in 10th at the start of lap three.
The collision on the final lap went unnoticed by officials, but Daniel was furious. Briggs racing is pack racing, and getting pushed wide by someone dive-bombing the apex often results in a train of karts following past. Daniel finished the race a frustrated 17th.
As daylight disappeared, Chris Demaras strapped the LED lights to Daniel’s kart, preparing the No.12 PRO racing machine for battle in the darkness.
Starting from so far down the pack, Daniel felt relived. It couldn’t possibly get any worse. But the racing gods have a sick sense of humour, and despite PRO mechanic Chritopher Proietto’s insistence to Daniel to warm up the tires on the outlap, cold temperatures caught Daniel out. Trying to avoid the customery collission at Turn 4 of the opening lap, Daniel went off track, spun, and found himself last.
But there’s no giving up in this young racer.
Daniel put on a recover drive, catching the pack, making a number of passes, including an epic move going into the slick chicane. He ended the day in 15th position against some of the toughest racers and most difficult conditions of the season.
Goodwood Kartways is set to host a spectacular day of racing this Saturday, September 7th, 2019, as the championship finale of the MOTOMASTER Ron Fellows Karting Championship comes to town. Known as one of the more popular events on the schedule, large grids are expected as racing is scheduled to run under the lights and into the early evening!
Introduced back in 2009, the Goodwood Kartways Night Race has always created an electric environment for the whole family to enjoy and this year’s edition promises to build on that reputation. With MRFKC Championships still up for grabs, an action packed day of racing will be followed by a spectacular complimentary fireworks show for everyone in attendance to enjoy.
