Lakeshore-born race car driver competing at Daytona this weekend
He hails from the Municipality of Lakeshore but this week, 21-year-old Roman De Angelis is on holy ground for a race car driver — set to take to the iconic track of Daytona International Speedway this weekend in the Rolex 24.
He says he’s been racing since he was eight years old and, weeks away from turning 22, he still loves it just as much.
“It’s definitely a strange thing to call a job because it doesn’t really feel like it,” De Angelis says.
This will be his fifth time competing in the Rolex 24, an endurance race spanning an entire day.
(Source: romandeangelis.com)De Angelis is one of four drivers making up the team that will pilot #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage.
He says the experience behind the wheel in a race like this is indescribable.
“It’s strange at the level of what’s going on how little you’re thinking about,” he says.
“There’s cars everywhere, there’s people everywhere, lights, fireworks, a Ferris wheel – and you mix that in with actually having to drive.”
De Angelis says beyond all the distractions – there’s a sense of calm.
(Source: romandeangelis.com)(Source: romandeangelis.com)“There's a lot going on, but it's very quiet and calm,” he says. “It's just you – and you’re driving.”
This past weekend, De Angelis piloted the car to a seventh place finish in qualifying — but says, given the 24 hour span of the race, where you start doesn’t mean a whole lot.
“You’ll be shuffled from front to back multiple times throughout the race,” he says. “So lots of time to make up the six spots that we need.”
De Angelis still calls Lakeshore home, despite racing all over the world.
(Source: romandeangelis.com)
(Source: romandeangelis.com)He says he expects to see some family and friends at the race this weekend and those who can’t make it can stream it live on the International Motor Sports Association website.
The 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Looking to the future, De Angelis isn’t going to strictly say where he wants to steer his life — but knows racing will be a part of it.
“What I would dream to do is to continue to race at a high level, wherever it may be, for a long time and continue to have this as my as my job,” says De Angelis.
“I obviously love doing it.”
(Source: romandeangelis.com)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.