Temecula, CA (January 19, 2011) – Who would have known that a 14 year old “kid”, not old enough to legally drive his neighborhood streets, would be claiming his 8th racing title in 5 years, 2 off-road titles in a single season, including the only 2011 Back-to-Back Championship in the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series?

Mitchell DeJong knew it could happen. He woke up each day with the aspiration and drive to be the best. From training off the track, coupled with track practice and midnight race-car simulator gaming sessions, his dedication has pushed this TRAXXAS / Red Bull athlete into the history books.

What many don’t know is that even with talent, practice and luck, Mitchell overcame obstacles in 2011 many racers would never expect. Shortly after the 2011 season started, Mitchell’s main sponsor pulled out of short course racing leaving him with a serious dilemma and thoughts that his racing season could already be finished. With only a week until the next race, Mitchell and company pulled together and reached out to what Mitchell knew best, radio controlled cars! TRAXXAS welcomed Mitchell with open arms creating a marriage that every 14 year old R/C car enthusiast dreams of!

As racing was back in action for the reigning champ, things started to shake-up at home, making the track seem like a sanctuary for life appreciation. His life long friend/pet became ill with cancer and passed away shortly thereafter. Although Mitchell knew that this could happen to his good buddy, he wasn’t prepared to hear it once again. Three short weeks later, Mitchell’s mother was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer. With an aggressive treatment plan, the family did their best to reassure Mitchell that “Mom isn’t going anywhere.” As Shelley, AKA Mom, started treatment each day to rid the cancer, Mitchell continued to battle on the race course, even falling to 3 championship threatening finishes.

Just when most people would have lashed out in anger and frustration, Mitchell never once swayed from being the role model that he aspires to be. By the time Round 15 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series was before him, MItchell had surmounted more wins and podium finishes than any of his competitors, but still found himself in a tight points battle with his good friend and fellow DeJong SuperKart racer, Mitch Guthrie Jr.

As fate would have it, Mitchell was dealt a shred of good luck on that final Round 15 race, and he stood on the podium in relief as he accepted the 2011 Championship wreath before thousands of off-road fans. The 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series Back-to-Back Championship will be written in the history books with Mitchell’s name, but only those that follow his story will understand the true triumph of this victory.

For 2012, Mitchell will open a new chapter in his self-written adventure novel, by creating history once again as the youngest Class 1 Unlimited driver to race in the deserts of Nevada. Mitchell will contiue to compete in short course racing and also race against seasoned veterans on the asphalt. Maybe “kid” is now the wrong name, good luck “young man.”

Special thanks to: TRAXXAS, Red Bull, DeJong Off-Road, Fox Racing Shox, DWT, Method Race Wheels, Osiris, Simpson Racing, Ultra Custom Boats, Schampa, Eliminator Motorsports, Streight Edge, Duncan Racng, Zip-Tie Productions, Fast-Aid, and PayDirt Media.

2011 Season Results:

2011 Back-To-Back LOORRS Champion

6 – 1st Place

5 – 2nd Place

1 – 3rd Place

2011 ASCC Champion

4 – 1st Place

2 – 2nd Place

2011 Young Lions Legends

3 – 1st Place

Qualified for 2011 Nationals

2011 Adult Pro Division Legends

2 – Podiums

1 – Top 5

1 – Top 10

Temecula, CA (December 07, 2011) – Mitchell DeJong cleaned house during the 2011 Lucas Oil Off-Road Arizona Regional Series (ASCC) by clinching his 7th career championship in only 5 years. With 4 wins and 2 second place finishes, Mitchell showed the world that the #1 plate belongs on the TRAXXAS/Red Bull DeJong SuperKart.

Mitchell commented on the season, “I had a BLAST racing the ASCC series. The organization, fans and racers were all genuine and kept it fun!”

Mitchell DeJong wins Round 14 of Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series

Mitchell will now head to Phoenix, Arizona this weekend for the season finally of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series (LOORRS) where he will make a final charge at a back-to-back Kart Modified championship. It would be his 8th career season triumph at only age 14.

With 14 rounds in the history books, Mitchell has accumulated the most Kart Modified wins (6) and most podiums (11) this season, so one would think he should have the LOORRS championship in the bag, right? Unfortunately not, luck does play into racing, and being in the right place at the right time can mean everything for another TRAXXAS/Red Bull championship season.

Mitchell found himself in 3 tough finishing positions this year, just enough agony to make this weekend’s Round 15 the critical “make or break” race. Mitchell has been trading leader points position all year with a fellow DeJong SuperKart racer, but after winning Round 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mitchell hopes the momentum & luck can carry into Saturday’s final round at Firebird Raceway.

Mitchell DeJong jumps his TRAXXAS/Red Bull DeJong SuperKart

Mitchell Dejong accepts his ASCC Championship trophy

Mitchell will be racing off-road short course and pavement racing during the 2012 season, branding and partnership opportunities exist.

Special thanks to: TRAXXAS, Red Bull, DeJong Off-Road, Fox Racing Shox, DWT, Method Race Wheels, Osiris, Simpson Racing, Ultra Custom Boats, Schampa, Eliminator Motorsports, Streight Edge, Duncan Racng, Zip-Tie Productions, Fast-Aid, and PayDirt Media.

Temecula, CA (August 11, 2011) – Mitchell DeJong drove his #1 TRAXXAS/Red Bull DeJong SuperKart to the top of the podium and a 2nd place finish in front of 15,000 plus fans at Glen Helen Raceway for Rounds 9 & 10 of the Lucas Oil Off-Road Racing Series.

Mitchell DeJong takes the checkered flag and 1st place in front of thousands of fans.

The stellar weekend started with the #1 qualifier, Mitchell DeJong, and his field of 18 competitors with heads down during opening prayer & remembrance of our recently fallen soldiers. Lucas Oil Off-Road quickly cranked it up with a spectacular hard rock guitar solo of the National Anthem bringing fans to their feet. Without hesitation the complete Kart field was announced and then those famous four words “Drivers start your engines!”

The highly anticipated Round 9 was underway with Kart Modified leading the show for the very first time and after a month of pre-race preparation, Mitchell was ready to battle for the championship points title. Starting on the inside first row, Mitchell launched his TRAXXAS/Red Bull SuperKart into the lead at the drop of the green flag and from there he set the pace. Just after the competition yellow flag lap, Mitchell had an abrupt scare when his tire caught a rut in turn 4, bicycling his truck on two wheels but he quickly regained control. After numerous cautions on the track, Mitchell stayed focused and flew through the checkered flags for his 4th victory and 8th podium of the season, with a special thanks to his guest spotter and multi-time Pro-4 champion, Johnny Greaves.

Mitchell DeJong stands high on the podium holding the #1 trophy.

 After the television interview with CBS broadcasting, Mitchell stood high on the podium with a big smile. Commenting after the win, “My truck is SO fast right now, the Duncan Racing motor and Fox Racing Shox give me SO much confidence. I feel like I can drive as hard as I want!” Mitchell spent the rest of the night watching his heroes race while taking some mental notes for Sunday’s main event.

Mitchell DeJong interviewed by CBS after winning his 4th race of the season.

Round 10 promised to be a great fight, especially since an inversion starting order was drawn pushing the #1 TRAXXAS/Red Bull DeJong SuperKart to the 4th start position. While an obvious disadvantage, Mitchell has come to appreciate the challenge, and when it was time he charged hard for the lead quickly overtaking 3rd position. 2 laps later, Mitchell slid his #1 machine around the outside to claim the 2nd position. After the competition yellow lap it became a 5 lap chase and race for the lead, but in the end a risky pass attempt would have outweighed the reward, so the defending champ settled in for a 2nd place finish.

Mitchell commented after the race, “I tried to make an inside pass and realized that I was going to need to be more aggressive to make it stick. Winning races is what I want, but today I had to think about winning the championship, no mistakes.”

At the end of the weekend Mitchell claimed fastest practice lap, an extra point for fastest qualifier, and an additional point for leading the complete Round 9 race from start-to-finish. Those extra points, plus the well deserved 1st and 2nd place trophies are keeping the #1 TRAXXAS/Red Bull DeJong SuperKart pilot in a strong position for the title.

Join Mitchell through the final stretch of the 2011 season. This year has been highly competitive and the points chase could be down to the wire! He will be racing in the next ASCC Off Road Championship on September 10th at Speedworld Off Road Park in Surprise, Arizona then returns on September 24th-25th for rounds 11 and 12 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series.

Special thanks to: TRAXXAS, Red Bull, DeJong Off-Road, Fox Racing Shox, DWT, Method Race Wheels, Simpson Racing, Ultra Custom Boats, Schampa, Eliminator Motorsports, Streight Edge, Duncan Racng, Zip-Tie Productions, Fast-Aid, and PayDirt Media.