9th March 2012

Jack Doohan races to kart debut with dad by his side - From the Australian

From the Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/jack-doohan-races-to-kart-debut-with-dad-by-his-side/story-e6frg7mf-1226295123542)

Mick Doohan and his son Jack at the Victorian Karting Championships in Geelong Source: AF Images

JACK Doohan, the son of five-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan, made his championship karting debut at the Victorian Open Sprint Kart titles in Geelong today.

Doohan, 9, raced against 25 other youngsters in the cadets category aged between seven and 11 while racing at speeds of more than 80 km/h around the 758-metre circuit.

With his father by his side as mechanic, Doohan was the eighth fastest driver in the opening qualifying session before finishing 18th overall.

“Jack had a great time, and that’s the most important thing right now,” said Doohan Snr.

“This was his first big meeting.

”He was fairly quick in the first session, but in the second he got caught up in a bit of a pack, which dropped him back down the field a bit.

“This is really all about him getting experience against some of the best young drivers from across the country.”

Victorian Joshua Smith set the quickest time in the Cadets category ahead of Jai Sparey and Jordyn Sinni.

The championships, which attracted 333 entries in 14 different categories, end on Sunday.

The 46-year-old Doohan raced bike between 1989 and 1999, winning five world crowns on the trot.

Only Italians Giacomo Agostini with eight, and Valentino Rossi, who is still competing, with seven, have won more crowns in the rebadged MotoGP.

Fellow Australian Casey Stoner is the defending champion.