We’re on the verge of the ‘return to racing’ but the virus still very much front and centre in competitors minds.
On Sunday, June 7th, Chris Demaras will venture out on track at Goodwood Kartways for the first time in months. CRKC starts next week, so if there’s ever going to be a time to strap on the helmet and get ready for the season…it’s now!
Demaras’ plan is simple. Stay so far aheadin the lead that nobody is ever within 2 metres of him!
First, Goodwood Kartways announced private kart owners could practice on track. Later, A&D lapping was available to 2020 CRKC Members with strict physical distancing measures, and a limit of 10 racers at once … later .expanded to 20 racers per session.
Now Goodwood has announced that the 2020 Goodwood Kartways CRKC Series will begin next week. The return of competitive racing!
“Continuing to build on its protocols and procedures that allowed for the safe re-introduction of activity at the track through Steps 1 and 2, Goodwood Kartways is now progressing to Step 3, once again operating within a very controlled environment. With safety once again being the number-one priority, Goodwood is now releasing information that will allow for registered drivers from the Canadian Rookie Karting Championship to get back to competitive racing beginning next Monday, June 8.“
Stefanie DiLeo, Goodwood Kartways
The summer schedule is highly compressed to try to make up for race weekends missed due to the provincial shutdown which prevented the racing season from starting on time.
Chris Demaras returns to compete in another season of CRKC, hoping to add to the Demaras Racing team’s hardware collection!
PRESS RELEASE: Goodwood Kartways Updates Private Kart Owners Lapping Protocol
In response to the most recent COVID-19 update; Goodwood Kartways will remain open in a limited capacity next week for all private kart owners and members. Following the same procedures already in place, private lapping sessions will be available only within a controlled – gate closed environment. Pre-registration will still be required for all participants. Detailed instructions are included below.
Please note the following changes: Track session limit has increased from 10 drivers per session to 20. Each driver may be accompanied by one (1) parent/guardian or mechanic. 10 additional defined paddock spaces have been marked to accommodate the increased number of participants per session. Confirmation of your reservation will be sent via email. Paddock spots will be assigned upon arrival at the main gate.
Session Dates & Times. Please note that all dates and times have been added to the Calendar page of our website. Check for week-to-week availability. This program will remain in place until otherwise stated.
All other procedures will remain the same. Please see Goodwood Kartways COVID-19 Procedures & Protocols.
PRESS RELEASE: Motomaster Ron Fellows Karting Championship
The Motomaster Ron Fellows Karting Championship (MRFKC), along with the rest of the global motorsports community, has been put on hold since the stay-at-home order and bans on public gatherings were put in place both federally and provincially, due to COVID-19.
During self-quarantine our team has been working diligently on plans to return to racing later this summer. With the Province of Ontario having begun their phase one re-opening of businesses, kart racing facilities around the province have been able to offer small group practice days, trending positively for a possible return to competition.
If we are able to return to racing later this summer, a shortened season could see the MRFKC pick up the original round three event date at CTMP’s Mosport Karting Centre as the first of three events in a six-race championship. However, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the following dates will remain tentative:
July 31 – August 2, CTMP’s Mosport Karting Centre
August 28 – 30, Canadian Mini Indy, Hamilton
September 18 – 20, CTMP’s Mosport Karting Centre
October 16 – 18, Alternate date, location TBD
Protocols regarding group sizes, social distancing, mask wearing, sanitization and details of that nature will be put in place to ensure the health and safety of all participants, officials and support staff.
MRFKC is also happy to announce a new spec-tire, fuel, and oil for ROK competitors. Bridgestone will now be the official tire for MRFKC ROK classes, fuel will be VP 110, and oil will be Motul 2T. Details will be supplied in the forthcoming supplementary regulations.
The MRFKC website has been continually updating the Rules & Regulations page, be sure to check that page for any updates or changes you may have missed. Our supplementary regulations will be posted in the coming weeks.
While we continue to finalize the details of our altered season due to COVID-19, we encourage you all to continue doing your part in stopping the community spread of this virus by following the federal and provincial guidelines practicing physical and social distancing, wearing masks whenever possible along with proper hand-washing and use of disinfectants.
It’s been an eight month stretch between September 29th, 2019 and May 30th, 2020. Exactly 244 days. The longest off-season ever! Now, Daniel Demaras finally got to drive the No. 12 PRO Intrepid Briggs & Stratton racing kart again since the 2019 season finale.
Using a tired practice engine and worn-out tires, Daniel took his first tentative laps at Goodwood Kartways. Sure, the track is familiar, but his body just wasn’t reacting the same way. His hands felt sore from gripping the steering wheel for a few laps.
But there was no pressure. No attempt at a record lap. Just a great afternoon at Goodwood Kartways trading laps with friends and former teammates Chad and Logan. With social distancing measures still in place, the Ferrari family had wrapped up their morning session and were on the way back home by the time Demaras hit the track. But seeing old friends, even for a few minutes, made everything feel normal again.
While Chris Demaras did not get to go out on track, he was the star of the paddock in his new “Drive It Like You Stole It” shirt, courtesy of Reeve Webster Racing.
Demaras Racing looks forward to the next outing on track, and the start of the 2020 racing season.
The race season hasn’t started yet, and neither Daniel nor Chris have turned so much as a practice lap on track yet, but the Demaras Racing team returned to Goodwood Kartways over the weekend. This plan was chores; hauling the tools and spare parts up to Garage K12. But just being at the track brought a smile to Chris’ face.
Goodwood has opened the track for private kart owners to practice, but spectators and walk-ins are not allowed. There were a few racers on track who pre-booked their socially distant paddock spaces (24’ x 20’ separated by 12’ x 20’ vacant spots). Friend of the family Matte Ferrari showed off his new Tony Kart.
Goodwood Kartways also announced that drivers registered for the 2020 CRKC campaign would be allowed to practice in the A&D karts. The first session was this past Sunday, where a handful of drivers knocked the rust off by turning laps in the Intrepid karts.
With all this track activity, there’s only so long a racer can wait. Daniel Demaras will be on track this weekend.
