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Ronald McDonald House visit puts things into perspective for Young Drivers

21 December 2017

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By Alex Nolan

Racing participants know how tough the game can be.

Early mornings, long runs of outs, suspensions, injuries and everything in between can test even the even the most hardened competitors.

But when the 10 Australasian Young Drivers Championship participants visited Brisbane’s Ronald McDonald House last week, things were quickly put back into perspective.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities aims to help the families of seriously ill children remain close to their child’s side during hospital stays.

The Young Drivers raised money for the charity throughout the series and were confronted with the harsh reality that some families face daily during the visit.

Series champion Narissa McMullen said it was an ‘emotional visit’.

“I became a bit emotional because one of my best friend’s daughter was diagnosed with leukemia when she was two, so it brought back memories of that. She is doing fine now though,” McMullen said.

“Sometimes you might get down if you get suspended or lose a race, but when you see kids suffering cancer or serious illness you realise you have a great life. It puts things right back into perspective.”

McMullen said all of the young drivers realized how important the charity was.

“It was probably the best thing we did all week,” McMullen said.

“It gave us a real insight to see what they do at Ronald McDonald House every day. It really aims to make life more normal for families and the siblings of children who are sick.”

Racing Queensland was on-track to raise more than $4000 for RMHC at the completion of the 2017 AYDC, with a cheque presentation likely in January.

The 2017 AYDC wrapped up in Brisbane on Saturday night, with hometown hero Narissa McMullen taking the crown for the first time. 

Leading Dylan Ferguson by two points ahead of the 10th and final heat, McMullen carried the hopes of the Sunshine State when tasked with guiding $10.70 chance Mojo Major.

Ferguson came from a near impossible position in the straight to make a late dive aboard The Charging Moa NZ.

“On the line I thought Dylan had beaten me and I looked across and said ‘I think you got there’,” McMullen said.

“It wasn’t until I quickly got back around and looked at the board when I knew I had won. I was really excited and thrilled to have won the series, especially at home.”

McMullen finished the series on 96 points, seven clear of Ferguson (NZ) on 89. Chris Geary (NSW) would finish with 75 in third position, while Jason Lee (VIC) ended on 72 points.

McMullen’s series got off to a flier on the opening night, when she won the opening two heats at Redcliffe to take the early series lead.

Ferguson and Sheree Tomlinson claimed the next two heats for the Kiwis, before Victoria’s Jason Lee and New South Wales’ Chris Geary took maximum points on the second night.

McMullen made it another double on the final night, leading all the way on Parisian Rockstar at Albion on Saturday, with Lee and Jayden Brewin (SA) collecting wins ahead of the final.

The win meant McMullen had followed the footsteps of her renowned father John McMullen, who won the 1986 Inter Dominion Young Drivers Series. He beat a star-studded field which featured the likes of Mark Purdon and Anthony Butt, whose daughter Kimberly Butt represented New Zealand in the 2017 event.

“(Dad) always talks about it,” McMullen laughed.

“It was good to be able to say ‘now I’ve got a win too’. The family was really excited.”