Flashy Debut for Kathy Fisher's New K&N Engineering Dragster - Fans Join Celebration at Norwalk
- 7 jun 2012
"We realize that we are not the first to get a new car," laughed Fisher. "But this whole process was very special to me since it is my very first new car and only my second dragster. I really wanted to share the fun and celebration of her debut with everyone, friends, fellow racers and of course, the fans. We planned something a little different in that we had an actual debut party for the car during the event at Norwalk." On Saturday, and the largest attended day of the event, Performance by Fisher Racing provided free food along with an up-close look to all that stopped by their pit area of both the new K&N American Dragster and the team's K&N Top Dragster, equipped with its new Pro Charger. Numerous prizes were also given away at the commencement of the party from $500 gift cards provided by Mickey Thompson, to the tons of cool swag and air and oil filters provided by K&N, as well as several other manufacturers. The party, which started at 11am, boasted more than four hundred attendees that took advantage of the free meals and as many as three times that who stopped to take photos, get autographs and chat with both the Fisher's and their crew.
"The debut of this new car and the party completely exceeded our expectations," she confessed. "I suppose I didn't really know what to expect, since we had never done anything like this before. It was such a fun day for all and by the time it was over, between talking to everyone, making both my runs on the track and Kevin's two Top Dragster qualifiers, my voice was gone. It was actually overwhelming at times and we not only had our full race crew but also our staff from our shop, all on hand to help. We did everything in our power to make sure there wasn't one fan or racer that came by that wasn't greeted and attended to. We were so grateful for all who stopped by." Performance by Fisher Racing has been featuring many moments of both the entire new K&N American car build, as well as highlights of the Pro Charger addition to Kevin's Top Dragster, on their online video reality series, "Married with Dragsters". The party, dubbed the "Married with Dragsters - New Car Debut Party" also boldly announced the name that Kathy selected for the new car.
"Yes, I like to name my cars. Why not, it's kind of fun," she joked. "The old hard tail car I raced for eight seasons was 'Beastie' and it was rather surprising when folks started to randomly ask me, what I would pick for the new car. Guess I was a little shocked that folks were really paying that much attention and were even that interested. So, after much thought and kicking around several names, 'Lil' Vixen' was chosen." "K&N has always been a major part of our racing operation and to really be able to feature all the K&N products that we have on both cars and especially the new American Race Cars dragster, was a lot of fun for me," said Kathy. "Normally, I don't drive separate to the event, but with all the extra food and prizes, I even had my daily driver there. So to look around our pit, to stop and think about everything that we had there that is protected by K&N products, was really something else. The Chevy 3500, my Trailblazer, both dragsters and even the generator, if K&N offers it we have it installed."
Much like Kathy's previous dragster, the new car features both the K&N HP-6002 Wrench-Off Oil Filter, the 100-8512 2nd Generation K&N Composite Scoop, which includes the specially designed tray and K&N high-flowing air filter, along with many K&N breather filters on various tanks. One of the newest items that Fisher has begun to utilize on her new 8.90 car is one of the K&N in-line fuel filters, part number 81-1003. "Of course we would want the same protection for our fuel system that we are giving to the rest of the car," Fisher pointed out. "Now, air, oil and fuel all are filtered by K&N. It doesn't get in, so to speak, without going through K&N first and we wouldn't have it any other way."
Not only was the debut party for the new K&N American Dragster a tremendous success, there were also several other highlights for the team over the three-day event. Kevin Fisher, who wheels the team's K&N Top Dragster, made his first full hit on their new Ohio Crankshaft Pro Charger motor to post his very first career six second run, [6.641] during the second qualifying session. He returned during the final session on Saturday evening to lay down a 6.584, in front of the jam-packed house at Summit Motorsports Park. Out of fifty-one cars vying for one of the thirty-two Top Dragster spots, the final lap placed Kevin at nineteen on the sheet of the quickest qualified field in the history of the class thus far, no matter what the sanctioning body. With a bump of 6.674, that record may actually hold for a while.
For Kathy, the event was not only the first time she had the opportunity to take her new 2012 K&N American down the quarter mile, it was her first driving it around at all. "With only eight days from the time we picked up the chassis and just four from picking up the freshly painted body, we did not have time to test at all and with a couple of things that came up, even an opportunity to fire her up for the first time of the season until Friday morning of the event," she explained. "So the first time I even drove the car under power was to the staging lanes for the first time run session Friday morning. It was a little nerve wracking to say the least. This car is quite a bit different from my old one, which was a hard tail. I had a lot going through my mind and as excited as I was to make the first hit, I was just as anxious to get the initial shakedown pass in the books." After just a few minor adjustments during the two time run attempts she made, Kathy went into first round on Sunday morning without yet making a full quarter-mile run, but yet enough info to be able to dial a close 8.885 lap on the 8.90 index. "This car really works and now that I am just starting to feel comfortable with her, I really feel like we have a good grasp on what she wants to get the job done," she noted. "I am so very excited for our next event and more seat time."
Before the Fisher's wrapped up their weekend, Kathy was awarded "Best Appearing Car" for the new K&N Engineering 2012 American Race Cars dragster. One must note that the selection was quite an exceptional feat to be singled out for the award, with the well over 570 other entries on the grounds for the event. "We didn't leave empty handed by any means," she exclaimed of the award presentation. "The debut party itself, Kevin's awesome mid-six second runs and just being able to finally step back and truly appreciate the fine piece that I am so privileged to be able call my own, is nothing short of almost mindboggling." "Yes, I am just that proud of the finished product," she continued. "This car was built by the best, with nothing but the best parts and pieces, and of course, she is protected by the best with K&N. Steve Williams, Tony Yorkman, Ryan Fellman, to say thank you so much for everything, is really not good enough. I also want to say a very special thanks to Adam Stadler from K&N who designed Lil' Vixen's award winning paint scheme and to Todd's Extreme Paint for laying down the red, orange pearl and the awesome hand painted carbon fiber look and of course, she wouldn't be my car without all that red and orange metal flake. Pictures do not do this American ride justice." Both Kathy's K&N Engineering 2012 American Race Cars 8.90 index dragster and husband Kevin's K&N/Ohio Crankshaft Top Dragster have a long season ahead as they dabble in two sanctioning bodies for championship points. Over the next month the team has events planned for both IHRA and NHRA that include stops in Pittsburgh, PA, Joliet, IL and a return to Norwalk, OH. Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world. |
