On October 15th, 2019, IndyCar returned to Richmond Raceway for the first time in a decade. The space shuttle Team Penske driver Joseph Newgarden drove was light-years ahead of the old race cars that last paced the 3/4 mile oval from 2001 to 2009.

The 2020-spec IndyCars looked incredible in short oval configuration.The angle of the front wing end-plate aligns with the rake of the aeroscreen. And it’s positively amazing how much some white vinyl wrap and a sponsor logo improves the appearance of this safety device.

Even Scott Dixon’s car looks good with a blue ‘visor strip’ atop the screen, visually tying it together with the engine cover.

If you think racing is dangerous today, take a look at this golden oldie from back when safety was an afterthought. Men were men and women were men and children were men. These people had GUTS!

What a race! The No. 23 R2ENDALZ / FastMD Racing /Speed Syndicate / FEL / ExpoSystems Audi RS3 started from last (not last in class…dead last) due to a fuel pump failure in qualifying. But ‘Violet’ made moves right from the start, moving up the field, lap after lap.

When it came time for pit stopr and driver changes, Galante had moved the car to the sharp end of the field.

When Toronto’s own James Vance got behind the wheel, there was no stopping him!

From last to 3rd place, a podium finish was an incredible accomplishment for Demaras Racing’s favourite IMSA team of James & Nick & Violet.

Big thanks to the No.23 R2ENDALZ Audi team for an exciting year. Podium finishes to start the season at Dayton and end the season at Road Atlanta, plus a win at Virginia International Raceway.

Chris Demaras is considering a change: making the switch from go karts to monster trucks. While these two vehicles are at opposite sides of the motorsports spectrum, Demaras feels that with time and training, he could achieve success.

The starting point; rent one! Luckily there are several places that allow rookies like Chris to try driving a monster truck. Bethlehem, Connecticut, is the home of the Blue Buzzard monster truck. For a couple dollars, any licensed driver can take the beast out for 8 laps on their dirt track, crushing cars and hitting jumps.

If you’re thinking “I’d like to try this too!” call them at (203) 438-4957 or check out their website at www.DriveMonsterTrucks.com.

Blue Buzzard Monster Truck
120 Crane Hollow Rd
Bethlehem, Connecticut, USA
06751

Chris Demaras isn’t a little guy. At north of 225 lbs, racing go-karts seems like a bad fit.

While visiting the Markham Fair with his family, Demaras was struck with an idea. Maybe it’s time to drive something bigger. Like…a monster truck.

After seeing Michelle posed in front of the “Monster Truck” carnival ride, Chris decided that he would take a ride in retired monster truck True North that was giving thrill rides at the fairground

But seeing the skill and dexterity it took to hustle even a ride truck around, Demaras thought twice about the career change. Considering how Chris crashed into the back of Dale’s stopped kart at Goodwood’s Turn 4 in the last CRKC round, perhaps bumper cars would be a better use of his driving ability.

On October 7th, 2019, Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud and Andretti Autosport’s Ryan Hunter-Reay sampled IndyCar’s new Aeroscreen at Barber Motorsports Park. This was the first time an Aeroscreen equipped Dallara has been seen in road course configuration, and more importantly, the first time the Aeroscreen has been publicly run in the rain.

Pagenaud commented “The visibility is great. I think the car looks pretty futuristic, which I’m sure the kids will enjoy that!”.

Space Shuttle landing! The evolution of IndyCar is here!

Everybody thinks of F1 as the pinnacle of motorsports. Very high-tech, cutting-edge stuff. But the boys in Indianapolis really showed the world something yesterday. On track testing of the Aeroscreen, set to debut on track in 2020. It really puts f1’s ‘halo’ to shame.