The Drivers

DRIVER BIO: DON KITCH JR.

Seattle resident, race car driver Don Kitch, Jr., has been involved in motorsports for over 20 years and is well known in the automotive industry. A veteran of over 200 professional and amateur racing starts, Kitch has involved himself in every aspect of the “Driving Industry.”

In 1997 Kitch founded Team Seattle. The campaign centers around the 24-Hours Of Daytona Sports Car Race as a fund raiser for Children’s Hospital of Seattle.

“Ever since my first experience at the Rolex 24 in 1990, I dreamed about fielding an all Seattle Team. In the past decade, we’ve done just that, bringing back over $3.4 million for the kids. Well, we’re back in Daytona and I hope this continues a long tradition with Seattle, Children’s Hospital, and the Rolex 24.”

 DRIVER FACTS

• Birthplace: Hollywood, CA
• Height: 6′ 2″
• Weight: 175 lbs.
• Residence: Bellevue, WA
• Married to Donna Porada-Kitch, 2 daughters

 DRIVER BACKGROUND

1991-Present

• 2009 Le Mans driver finishing 9th in rookie year
• 2006 ICSCC 8 Hour Enduro – 1st Place Overall
• Professional Sports Car GARRA G.T. Competitor
• international Motorsports Association (IMSA) competitor
• Barber SAAB Pro-Series competitor
• Bridgestone Super Car Series competitor
• Firestone Firehawk Endurance Series competitor
• Exxon Supreme GTS-1 competitor
• Exxon World Sports Car Series competitor

1982 – 1990

• International Conference Sports Car Clubs competitor
• D-Production Champion
• GT-2 Champion
• Formula Ford- ICSCC “Driver of the Year”
• Formula Ford- Steve Phillips Cup winner

 IN HIS OWN WORDS

How did you get started in racing? “Wheels. Ever since I can remember I’ve always built and raced something. When I was about 8 my Dad and I bought a baby buggy at the salvation army and I used the wheels on everything. My friends would come over and want to play football – I always wanted to play coaster carts. We’d build a cart with the wheels and race it and race it and crash it. Then build it again! The lawn mower engine saw a lot of uses too, from soap box derby to go-carts. I’ve always loved cars – it was only a matter of time until I would race”

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DRIVER BIO: JAMES COLBORN

James’ history with Team Seattle spans the past 5 years. In 2009 he introduced Team Seattle to Bing (Search from Microsoft) and secured a sponsorship for the team as they competed in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. Since then, James has volunteered with Team Seattle and helped raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospitals through programs such as the ‘Buy a Heart. Save a Life’ program as well as coordinating most of the Guild’s marketing activities through their various endeavors.

2013 will be the first year that James graduates from being a Team Seattle volunteer to a driver as he signs up with the Team Seattle/Compass360 program and competes in the Continental Tire Race that supports the Rolex GT effort at Daytona.

A British native, James lives in Kirkland, WA with Emma and their two cats. By his own admission James has bi-polar hobbies and when he’s not at the track he can be found fishing, gardening, skiing and most likely cooking!

RACING RESUME

 2009

• Graduated from the ProFormance School SCCA (ICSCC) Competitive Racing School

2010

• 1^st year club racing in the highly competitive Northwest Racing PRO3 series
• Nominee for International Conference of Race Car Drivers (ICSCC) Rookie of the Year
• 14 race starts in PRO3 with a series of top 10 finishes
• Competed in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in the Unlimited Class finishing 4^th

2011

• Finished 5^th in PRO3 Championship (of 60 drivers contesting PRO3 in 2011)
• 10 PRO3 races, 8 top 10 finishes and 2 podiums
• 1^st place in International Race Car Drivers (IRDC) 4 Hour at Pacific Raceways
• 2^nd place in the Cascade Sports Car Club (CSCC) 8 Hour at Portland International Raceway
• 6^th place in the Unlimited Class of the 25 Hours of Thunderhill

2012

• 2 Professional race starts with Compass360 CTSCC Team (22^nd and 15^th place finishes)
• Finished 5^th  in PRO3 with 10 starts, 8 top 5 finishes and 5 podiums (of 71 drivers)
• 3^rd place is hotly contested Nascar Support Race (starting dead last of 40 entries)
• 3^rd place in the PROs vs. JOEs PRO3 race (partnering with Karl Tompson of C360R)
• Nominated for ICSCC Driver of the Year (for on and off track efforts)

IN HIS OWN WORDS

I adore racing. It’s what led me all the way from lapping cars at speed to competitive racing to dabbling in professional racing. It’s also what led me to Team Seattle and giving me the opportunity over the past 4 or so years to do something good for the community and in particular Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Driving to Team Seattle is personal ambition I’ve had since I first heard about their efforts. This year will be a milestone for me working with Don, Donna and the Guild. Don in particular has watched my racing career with keen interest and he and Donna have given fantastic support and guidance helping me get to the point where I can wear a Team Seattle racing suit with pride. I honestly can’t wait for the race and with so much momentum around our effort I’m really looking forward to seeing record breaking numbers of donations driven at Daytona this year.

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DRIVER BIO: ANDREW NEWELL

Andrew is employed by Strictly BMW Independent Service which is a family owned BMW performance and repair shop in Bellevue Washington. Father of two children, Andrew is very excited to share his car passion and experience with them.

• Began racing in 1999
• Competed in West Coast Pro Spec Miata Series
• Multiple Class and Overall Wins at the CSCC 8 Hour Endurance Race at PIR
• Multiple starts in the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill
• ICSCC PRO3 class wins and lap records

 

“I enjoy all aspects of being at the track, from the people to the cars it is one of my favorite things in this world. Being able to share on track experiences with friends and those moments of thinking of nothing but the world through your helmet are unforgettable. I’m very excited to drive for Team Seattle and having  the opportunity to help make a difference in a child’s life.”