Temecula, CA. (April 23, 2008) - Mitchell DeJong, age 10 winner of the first of it's kind ever desert race in Primm, Nevada, the Best in the Desert Primm 250 where all entrants were under 15 years old. Driver of the #24 DeJong Offroad Elite Trophy Kart just received his new truck from Trophy Kart two weeks prior but hadn't had more than a few hours of seat time in it at a local track mainly testing and race prepping time. Not to mention this is the first time Mitchell has ever driven a shifter motor. The Elites are powered by a Kawasaki KX250 motor and have to be left stock to race. BITD had been working with MMR racing to include this Trophy Kart class for along side the big boys of racing and Mitchell is so glad they did.
Friday late afternoon the kids all lined up ready to take on the 25.5 miles of desert terrain behind Terrible's Casino and Buffalo Bills. The trucks started 15 seconds apart from each other just like the big boys. Mitchell was second off the line and was full throttle throught the crowd as the green flag dropped in front of him. He was on a mission driving through the terrain as if he'd been doing it for years. Mitchell caught up to the 1st place Elite truck by the 4th lap. Mitchell made a clean pass on a corner and never looked back! He came on the radio at one point to tell his dad that he was in 5th gear pinned on a straight high speed section and needed more gear. Father, Vince deJong and driver of the Monstermanx Class 1 Car was out on the course to help if needed, and responded to Mitchell that he was going fast enough, to be patient and he also told him he was doing an awesome!
There was 15 laps in all and Mitchell lead every lap after that all the way to the checkered flag where he won by a 19 second lead. His average speed was 51 mph and on the straight hitting speeds up to 80 mph finishing the race in 31 minutes. Mom, Shelley deJong was waiting at the finish line when Mitchell came through 1st and said she could see a huge smile on Mitchell's face through his mudddy helmet as he drove through that checkered flag! Mitchell has never been to Mexico with his dad racing there but has watched enough video's of it to know what it looks like and he said he felt like he was in a race in Mexico as he jumped through the crowd every time he came around to the start finish line. One spectator who was standing at one of the big jumps said Mitchell was flying off those jumps and landing so hard he could see the rear of the truck bottom out then Mitchell took off right away kicking up dirt to the crowds. When asked how the course was Mitchell said "It was a little rough but a lot of fun!" All eyes were on Mitchell this weekend as he was the 2007 Championship winner in his stock Trophy Kart he raced last season and he proved he's not a one hit wonder!
By winning this desert race Mitchell is automatically qualified to race for the World Cup Championship at the end of the season. Mitchell wants to thank his sponsor DJ Safety for the awesome 2-layer fire suit they made for him and all the other great products they've provided and Streight Edje for his cool helmet. Also thanks to Fabtech for taking the time to dial in his new Fabtech Shocks that worked flawlessly.
Mitchell plans on racing as many desert races as they'll let him, he's hooked and loves the desert. He is also ready for his opening race season with CORR beginningApril 26-27th at the Pomona Fairplex. So far CORR is running the Trophy Kart modified division as 250's and 450's so we aren't sure if there is an advantage either way. It will be an extremely exciting race!
For more information visit www.mitchelldejong.com
