Double Podium For Mitchell Gee At 'The Yamaha'

press release - full results from the meeting HERE.

The Peninsula Paint Supplies supported Doyle’s Racing Kartsport team driver, 12yo Mitchell Gee not only won the Junior National Light final at The Yamaha, Coffs Harbour last weekend but he also stepped up on to the Junior National Heavy podium to collect the 3rd place trophy at the event.   

Coming into the weekend with some high expectations and on the back of a 3rd place in last year’s Rookie division, Mitchell’s tilt at this year’s event as a Junior didn’t get off to a great start initially.  With some “Did Not Finish” (DNF) results in the earlier Heat races, the young driver picked himself up mentally however and pushed on.  Ultimately his persistence would reward him in the Pre-Finals and Finals later in the weekend.

“Mitchell is proving to us time and time again, that he has blue steel determination.  It’s quite impressive how he regathers himself after setbacks, gets back on track and then makes good”, said DRK Team Manager, Craig Doyle. “We’re exceptionally pleased for Mitchell and his family, and congratulate them on their great results.” 

Mitchell’s weekend results were as follows;

Junior National Light – Mitchell Gee (Tony Kart # 13)
In Heat 1 he recorded his first DNF for the weekend.  Heat race 2 saw Mitchell cross the line in 2nd, followed by a 1st place in Heat 3.  These results would set him up for a P6 position on the start grid for the Pre-final in an 18 kart field.
“I thought Mitch drove really well in the Pre-final, not trying too hard but really determined,” said Michael Gee, Mitchell’s father.  “He thought about what he was doing and drove a sensible race to take the win.  This set us up for the prime front row position for the final”.

“A skirmish in the opening lap of the final saw Mitch drop back to 5th.  A few people around me in the viewing area thought that he wouldn’t recover from there, but I had a gut feeling that Mitch was really focused this weekend.  He was about 4 tenths a lap quicker than the others, so one by one he was making his way back to the front as the laps rolled on.  With 2 laps to go he grabbed the lead and although it was close, he really earned the win ahead of Scott Hynes and Christopher Corbett.  I’m terribly proud of the way he drove,” said Michael.

both pics - Ash Budd, photowagon.com.au

Junior National Heavy – Mitchell Gee (Arrow # 13)
In the heavy class Mitchell started the weekend with a 3rd place in Heat 1, followed by a 6th in Heat 2 and a second DNF for the weekend in Heat race 3.  Points from these race pushed Mitchell back down the 18 kart field into position 8 on the start grid for the Pre-final.

“Mitch’s new Arrow was working well at Coffs.  We knew he’d have some work to do to come from 8th, but I knew we could do it.  As the race unravelled, Mitch kept his head down and worked his way to the front.  Finishing 2nd behind Shannon Holley was a good result, as Shannon had been in the Top 4 all weekend.  This also set us up for another front row start for the weekend’s final, “said Michael Gee.

“The final to come was another great example of close racing between these boys.  Shannon, Brock Plumb and Mitchell put on some terrific racing.  Mitch crossed the line in 3rd, only millimetres away from 2nd.  Collecting 2 podiums in one weekend is a tremendous result for Mitchell and our Team.  We’re really, really happy,” said Gee.
Mitchell’s blue / green Team mate, Callum Walker competed in the Rookies class at The Yamaha in his Tony Kart machine.  Callum finished just off the podium in 4th in the weekend’s final.

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