Racing driver Frédérick Devost welcomed 17-year-old Charles Deguire into his modified Nissan Silvia S14 for a high-speed drift demonstration in Coaticook, fulfilling the teenager’s lifelong dream of experiencing motorsports from inside the cockpit, Le Progrès de Coaticook reported.
Charles Deguire Realizes His Racing Dream in Coaticook
Charles Deguire, who manages the daily challenges of Triple A syndrome, stepped away from his medical routine to join Devost in the parking lot of the driver’s family garage in Coaticook. The rare genetic condition causes digestive issues and adrenal insufficiency while carrying potential cognitive impacts. For several minutes, the roaring V8 engine and screeching tires pushed those health realities aside as the vehicle slid across the asphalt.
“It’s always been my dream to do racing, and now, I just realized it,” Deguire told Le Progrès de Coaticook. He noted a longtime fandom for Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, adding that the passenger seat experience brought him closer to their world.
Frédérick Devost and His 500-Horsepower Drift Machine
Devost accepted the request immediately after Deguire contacted his father, Stéphane. The driver campaigns the vehicle in the DMCC professional drift series.
“It gives me so much pleasure,” Devost told Le Progrès de Coaticook. “I have just as much fun living it as making it live for others who share this passion.”
The car is a 1993 Nissan Silvia S14 rebuilt specifically for competitive drifting. Under the hood sits a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette LS3 V8 engine producing roughly 500 horsepower, built to maximize track grip and power during competitive runs. While Devost aims to secure a professional or Pro-Am license in the future, he maintains that the primary motivation remains the enjoyment of the sport.
Active Life Beyond Triple A Syndrome
Deguire refuses to let his diagnosis dictate his lifestyle, maintaining an active athletic schedule that includes organized hockey where he plays as a goal scorer.
“It’s not because I have this syndrome that it’s going to stop me from living,” Deguire told Le Progrès de Coaticook. “I work hard day after day and I try to stay active.”
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