DeJong Racing - Corr - Round 5
06.19.2008(This release posted as submitted by DeJong Racing)
As Friday kicked off with practice, Mitchell was pumped to drive his new 250cc Amsoil lubricated Honda powered Elite Trophy Kart. With the new motor in place during the final hours before practice, Mitchell quickly had to learn how to drive “stick”, or use a full manual clutch. As the pre-qualifying jitters rose, Mitchell stayed focused and took to the track attacking each corner as he had been shifting for years, and placing him as 5th qualifier of 19.
As the afternoon sun beat on the fans and racers putting them into pure heat exhaustion, Mitchell jumped into his cool DJ Safety gear for “game time.” With only 4 trucks in his sights, the reigning champ knew that the drop of the green flag meant fury. After a quick few gained positions, Mitchell found himself being passed under a caution without penalties to the opposition. Was this the start of a rough weekend? YES! But only a few seconds after the caution, Mitchell suffered a catastrophic chain failure demolishing the rear drivetrain and placing him in 13th place for Round 3. With a flurry of broken pieces, the DeJong team wasted no time and worked feverishly into the night and early the next morning.
With the DeJong Off-Road Cars Elite Trophy Kart ready to go, Mitchell took to the track on Sunday with his usual form, passing the competition and landing himself another 5th qualifying position and putting him in great contention for a podium. As the main event suspense grew in the stands, additional suspense grew on the starting line as the number 524 of Mitchell was lined up in the 9th starting position, not 5th! With little that could be contested or done, Mitchell begrudgingly took the spot and knew he had some trucks to pass. With his FOX RACING SHOX, Douglas Wheels and new Honda powerplant, he knew he had what it takes to win.
As the green flag dropped for the Sunday main, Mitchell was quickly shoved to the side like, a school-yard bully came to visit. After a quick recovery, Mitchell shined by passing 8 trucks in 5 laps, and putting him in third place on the final lap. But only 100ft from the finish, a front spindle bolt sheared ending the race and plopping Mitchell into a sun blistered
and battered 17th place.
Mitchell eagerly awaits redemption during the June 6-8 Pomona CORR races as he now sits in an unusual 14th place in the standings. So after a shaky start to the 2008 season, hopefully, “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” and the Voodoo doll is left in the closet before the next race. Sometimes the stories aren’t always glorious but the 2007 champion and the DeJong Off-Road team knows that they have the team to win. Mitchell DeJong would like to thank all of his sponsors, DeJong Off-Road Cars, Fox Racing Shox, Douglas Wheel, Amsoil, DJ Safety, Streight Edje Custom Painting,
PayDirt Media and his newest fan, Snoop Dog (after a brief visit and photo op in the pits).
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
MITCHELL DEJONG BLISTERED AT CORR PRIMM ROUNDS 3&4 FOR THE LATEST NEWS, VISIT MITCHELLDEJONG.COM
