http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1127085/pair-at-home-in-international-fast-lane/?cs=12
Lee Mitchener and Pierce Lehane. (Pic: Burnie Advocate)
THEIR combined age is just 42, but Lee Mitchener and Pierce Lehane have already established a life in the fast lane.
The pair are two of the biggest names in Australian karting, sharing six national and one world title between them.
This weekend they are pitting their skills against the best Tasmania has to offer at the state titles, being held at the Hardings Hotmix Kartway in Highclere.
For Pierce it’s a case of the North-West one day, the northern hemisphere the next.
The 16-year-old from Sydney will head to Portugal next week for the Rotax Max Challenge grand final.
Already a four-time national champion, Pierce hopes to use this weekend as a tune up for what he describes as one of the biggest races of his emerging career.
“Im very excited about heading over to Portugal, it’s going to be another great event,” Pierce said.
“I have raced in Egypt, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and France so the travel is really nothing new.
“I want to race well this weekend and bring some form into Portugal.”
Competing on the world stage is nothing new for Mitchener either.
The 26-year-old clinched the Bruno Grana X30 International Trophy in France in 2010.
His honour role also includes back-to-back Australian sprint kart championships in the Leopard Heavy class in 2010 and 2011.
While a stint racing V8 Supercars is his long-term goal, the Melbourne driver is more than content racing karts for now.
“The CIK Stars of Karts is the elite level of karting in Australia,” Mitchener said.
“It’s where I want to be for the next couple of years.
“Recently we had three of Europe’s best drivers come out and there were a few of us who were able to stick up there with them, which says a lot about the talent in Australian karting right now.”
This weekend, the pair are lining up for long-time karting team owner and Penguin resident Col Watts.
Racing under the banner of Team RacePrep, Watts said it was a coup to have the young stars in his pits.
“It’s very good to have Pierce and Lee here with us this weekend but I brought them over for one reason _ to win,” Watts said.
“Both drivers are very professional and have achieved a lot in their careers.
“I really like the way they go about their racing.”
