Source: DeJong Media Relations
Date: 09/28/2007

TEMECULA, CaliforniaRace car drivers come in all sizes proves Mitchell DeJong, age 10, as he wins 1st place in the CORR Trophy Kart race at the Antelope Valley Raceway on his 10th birthday. Just 2 weeks prior he also had a podium finish winning 1st place at Perris Raceway in his Go-Kart racing series.

"Mitchell started on the grid in 34th place for his heat race in his trophy kart and raced his way up to the front finishing 1st and qualifying for his main race. On Sunday he started 2nd on the grid but soon took the lead and never looked back!" said proud father Vince DeJong, owner of DeJong Off Road Cars in Murrieta.

Mitchell started riding quads (4 wheel all terrain vehicle) in the sand and dirt at age 3 and got behind the wheel of a Go-Kart (road racer) at the age of 6. Little did he know that just 1 year later he would be winning races.

"Mitchell's passion for racing was evident at a very young age. He would draw trucks with full suspensions and components and work in our shop with dad learning how to build. His dream was to engineer his own race truck and then race it. It was great that this trophy kart series came about for kids!" says Mitchell's mom, Shelley DeJong

According to, Shelley "Mitchell is an "A" student as we make homework and grades priority. Mitchell will actually stay inside for recess at school to do his homework if he knows this will get him to the track afterschool, that's dedication!"

Mitchell is currently the points leader for the championship in both Trophy Kart and Go-Karting as he enters his final 3 races of this season. He races CORR Chula Vista this weekend, September 29th and 30th which will be a tough but exciting race with about 50 entries in his class. Races to follow include Dallas Texas and Primm, Nevada.

Local boy takes the checkered flag!

Temecula - September 15th and 16th 2007 Race car drivers come in all sizes proves Mitchell DeJong, age 10, as he wins 1st place in the CORR Trophy Kart race at the Antelope Valley Raceway on his 10th birthday. Just 2 weeks prior he also had a podium finish winning 1st place at Perris Raceway in his Go-Kart racing series.

" Mitchell started on the grid in 34th place for his heat race in his trophy kart and raced his way up to the front finishing 1st and qualifying for his main race. On Sunday he started 2nd on the grid but soon took the lead and never looked back!" said proud father Vince DeJong, owner of DeJong Off Road Cars in Murrieta.

Mitchell started riding quads (4 wheel all terrain vehicle) in the sand and dirt at age 3 and got behind the wheel of a Go-Kart (road racer) at the age of 6. Little did he know that just 1 year later he would be winning races.

"Mitchell's passion for racing was evident at a very young age. He would draw trucks with full suspensions and components and work in our shop with dad learning how to build. His dream was to engineer his own race truck and then race it. It was great that this trophy kart series came about for kids!" says Mitchell's mom, Shelley DeJong

According to, Shelley "Mitchell is an "A" student as we make homework and grades priority. Mitchell will actually stay inside for recess at school to do his homework if he knows this will get him to the track afterschool, that's dedication!"

Mitchell is currently the points leader for the championship in both Trophy Kart and Go-Karting as he enters his final 3 races of this season. He races CORR Chula Vista this weekend, September 29th and 30th which will be a tough but exciting race with about 50 entries in his class. Races to follow include Dallas Texas and Primm, Nevada.

See Also .:

News Index | E-mail to a Friend