With spring training at Goodwood Kartways cancelled, and the 2021 racing season delayed, there wasn’t much to do this weekend. So, Chris Demaras decided to add a custom made New Speed Motorsports decal to the rear fenders of his pickup truck.

Instead of being jealous of Daniel’s No. 412 NSM kart or Anthony’s NSM Pinty’s Series NASCAR, Chris really feels like part of the team now with the NSM Monster Truck.

A well-established karting track in Florida has permanently closed…and racers in Canada should be concerned. This wasn’t some dusty old concession kart track with mini golf and batting cages.

Ocala Grand Prix was a a top-tier facility with national level ROK Cup USA events. Yet in these challenging times, the track is being torn down to put up… a storage facility. In his CKN article, Cody Schindel explained that the town of Ocala has become centre for equestrian sports, and the size of the track will allow it to provide ample RV parking for well-funded horse people.

One would imagine that such a well respected track would still be profitable and sustainable. Ocala Grand Prix has hosted many rounds of the Florida Winter Tour over the past two decades, and this year, the new generation of racers like New Speed Motorsports‘ Rocco Simone even competed there.

In an interview published on eKartingNews, OCP’s owner explains:

“…It is a sad day for karting but something that must happen to make a viable business. With the karting industry, both race and rental sides evolving and changing every year, it is not easy to stay ahead of the game. My team and I have worked tirelessly but have come to the conclusion that it is time for a change. This is about business, money-in versus money-out…”

Jorge Arellano, OGP

When racing resumes in May, it is critical that Ontario racers head out to the track. Join a karting club and run the full schedule. Sign up for a regional series and visit tracks one may never have raced at before. Head out to a big track for a once in a lifetime experience in an Italian supercar. If motoring enthusiasts do not support tracks during these challenging times there won’t be many tracks left. Some smart race track owners might throw in the towel and transform the area into a residential subdivision. Just one big Smart Centre next to a planned community. But don’t worry, there will surely be a storage facility for all the stuff people buy at Costco.

Get out there and race!

Earlier this week, just before the suspension of motorsports in Ontario, Chris Demaras made the usual drive up the DVP to Goodwood Kartways. Chris had appointment with Marco to pick up the new kart Daniel Demaras would be racing in the 2021 Toronto Racing Association of Karters series.

Besides the all-white kart, Marco had prepared more than a dozen karts for pick up from new and returning racers. The season was 100% ready to start before the provincial stay at home order put the brakes on everything.

The new kart is an evolution of last year’s chassis design, though slightly narrower, and with a vastly improved braking system. Daniel’s kart in particular is a mash up of OTK sidepods on titanium crash-bars, plus an Intrepid nosecone and fairing. Even the steering wheel spokes have been re-profiled to better fit the MyChron 5 timer.

In automobile manufacturing, a “Body In White” refers to a stage in assembly where the body and frame are joined together before painting (and usually before the engine, glass, door handles, seats, upholstery). So, it’s not totally accurate to use the term referring to this kart, but it does make sense. Because it will never look this white again!

Stashed away in Garage K-12, the new kart is ready to race. Chris even picked up extra spindles and steering columns, just in case.

In Quebec there’s an 8:00 pm curfew, and in Ontario a ‘stay-at-home’ order. Great tracks like Circuit ICAR near Mirabel, PQ, and Point Pelee Karting in Leamington, ON, are silent. While the Canadian karting season is on hold, for the second year in a row, because of ‘the virus’, there are members of the public who believe there should be no restrictions, no shutdowns or other government mandated safety measures. These folks live in Florida.

Our young New Speed Motorsports teammate Rocco Simone will compete on Sunday at AMR Motorplex (in the Homestead – Miami region of Florida). Simone will be racing the No. 195 in both the IAME Micro Swift and Briggs & Stratton LO206 Cadet class.

GOOD LUCK ROCCO!

PRESS RELEASE: Goodwood Kartways

With only a week to go before Spring Training 2021 is supposed to kick off, Demaras Racing went back up north to continue pre-season preparations.

Local engine builder G-Force had good news about Skyler & Uniqua. Both motors ran strong, and no valve issues. Chris & Daniel then brought one Briggs & Stratton racing engine (and an Odenthal motor mount) to Marco at Goodwood so he could finish assembly of Daniel’s new Intrepid racing kart. Upon arrival at the track, the new provincial restrictions obviously had a huge impact on the track.

Despite the number of racers reduced to a handful, there were still some smiles to be seen.

Limited to 5 people on track, the facility was nearly empty. Everyone was keeping their distance (paddock spaces were 20′ apart from each other) and masks were mandatory. A very organized transition from morning session to afternoon group saw the arrival of old friend Ethan Pollack with his glorious new HJC helmet.

New karts without decal kits (the kids call them ‘Teslas’) looked white and pure and will never look so clean again when wheel-to-wheel action begins…supposedly in 28 days. Yup, the restrictions will impact Spring Training and TRAK Race 1 (and possibly Race 2).

More details to follow as Goodwood releases more press releases.

PR: Goodwood Kartways

Building on the Covid-19 procedures and protocols introduced last season, Goodwood Kartways is pleased to have received the ‘Green Light’ to open on-track activities for the 2021 season.

For the time being, these activities will be restricted to Private Kart Owners ONLY in a controlled-gate closed environment and at limited capacity. Following a revised set of procedures and protocols that members will recognize from last season, these private lapping sessions will be closed to the public. Pre-registration will be required for all participants with detailed instructions found below.

Private Kart Owner Lapping COVID-19 Procedures & Protocols: GK-03-31-2021

Session Dates & Times: Until further notice, track days will be broken up into independent morning and afternoon sessions. Dates and times have been added to the Calendar page of our website. We will update availability as we go. If a session is not shown on the Calendar page, it is not available. Click here for availability.

Members must become familiar with procedures and protocols before visiting the track. For questions and/or concerns please contact Goodwood Kartways.

With spring training only a few weeks away, Daniel’s race-winning engines Uniqua and Skylar were dropped off at the local engine builder’s shop on the weekend. Both Briggs & Stratton LO206’s are in great condition, properly broken in, without heavy mileage. A final oil change and ‘fogging’ before hibernation over the winter assured Demaras Racing would start 2021 in good condition. The engines will get fresh oil, spark plugs and a leak-down test to make sure everything is 100%.

After leaving the engine builder’s shop, it was a quick trip to Goodwood (with Daniel at the wheel of the GMC ‘monster truck’ for a change). The track looked ready, and the weather was warm, so spring training in a few weeks seems possible. But new cases of ‘the virus‘ in Ontario numbered 2,453 on Saturday and 2,448 on Sunday…so it’s still unclear if provincial restrictions will impact the start of the season.

Not matter when the 2021 racing season begins, Demaras Racing will be ready to go.