|
 |
|
 |
| April 13, 2011 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - TJ Fischer - March 2011 |
| |
 | TJ Fischer put in a stellar performance at the Challenge of the Americas event in Sonoma
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
For anyone who has competed in the rain during a kart race, you can attest it is not a simple feat. Lots of practice and patience, and you may be able to navigate yourself to the front of the field. For Northern California driver TJ Fischer, he was among the best in two weekends of rain racing as he took on the stacked field of the Challenge of the Americas/Pan American Challenge in Sonoma with great success, following it up with a victory at the ProKart Challenge North round at in Prairie City to earn this month’s title as Driver of the Month.
Taking on the international field at the Jim Russell International Karting Center on March 12-13, Fischer and the rest of the paddock had to challenge the weather elements as well. A strong weather system covered the area throughout the weekend, leaving the facility wet, cold, windy - the complete opposite of favorable racing conditions. Following Friday practice, Fischer was well off the pace but improved in Saturday’s qualifying session to sit 15th on the time sheets out of 35 drivers. A solid effort in the Prefinal advanced Fischer to the tenth position. With a great start to begin the Final, Fischer was running fifth and in the hunt. After some great shuffling, Fischer was up to second with one lap to go. Putting the pressure on, the leader spun off and handed TJ the lead. Fischer would go on to score the big victory.
 | Fischer backed that up with a victory at ProKart Challenge North in Prairie City
(Photo: dromophotos.com) |
Fischer’s confidence and the right set-up on the kart put him in the third position for Sunday’s qualifying session. Battling with 2010 Rotax Grand National champion Stepanova Nekeel, Aussie national champion David Sera, and former Team Canada driver Tyler Wheeler - Fischer ran to fourth in the Prefinal en route to a third place podium finish for the day. With his best weekend of the season, Fischer jumped to the sixth position in the final CoA Rotax Senior point standings.
The following weekend (March 26), Fischer swapped out the Rotax for the IAME Parilla Leopard to contest the second round of the ProKart Challenge North program at the All Star Karting facility. While the weather conditions were a slight improvement, wet track conditions still played a part in the results. Fischer started the day off with the second quickest lap in qualifying and a close second in the opening heat. TJ then went on to win the second heat unchallenged to line up on the pole position for the main event. Posting the fastest laps of the race and leading all 20 circuits, Fischer claimed his first PKC North victory by just under three-seconds.
Fischer’s efforts helped him earn the title of ‘rain master’ for the time being, but etched his name as eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month program forever.
March 2011 EKN Driver of the Month - TJ Fischer
 | TJ Fischer - EKN Driver of the Month - March 2011
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Bio
Born: August 13, 1993
Hometown: Vacaville, CA
Parents: Viki and Stephen Fischer
Siblings: Kelsi Fischer
Height/Weight: 6’2”/ 170lbs
Education: Vacaville High School
Job: Student
Racing Resume
Chassis: RK (Robert Kubica) Kart by Birel
Engine/Engine Builder: Rotax and Leopard/Don Durbin Sr.- Cambrian Go Karts
Sponsors: Cambrian Go-Karts, Rathbun Racing, Gregg Drilling, Spy Optics, Axcel Fast Graphics, and RMG
Series You Compete In: Gatorz Challenge of the Americas, ProKart Challenge, SKUSA Pro Tour, NorCal Rotax Challenge
Years Karting: 3
How did you get started in karting? My dad kart raced for a while, I watched it but never raced…it finally clicked when I was 13.
What has been the high point in your racing career? Winning the Gatorz Challenge of the Americas race in the rain
What are your goals in racing? Be the fastest driver on any track, on any given day and to take racing as far as possible
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Calm, smooth, fast
Funniest moment at the race track? I got “moved” off the back straight at PKRA spinning 30 feet into the dirt to the fence, when I got out of my kart I saw an old man that hopped out of a mini-train and started snapping pictures of me like I was a tourist attraction.
Likes
Favorite Track: Jim Russell International Karting Center
Favorite form of professional motorsports: Formula 1
Favorite karting driver: Donald Durbin Jr.
Favorite professional driver: Lewis Hamilton
Favorite website: eKartingNews.com
Favorite movie: Friday Night Lights
Favorite actor/actress: Jerry Seinfeld
Favorite music/group: Anything country, Rebolution, and some rap
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Pismo Beach
Favorite food: Fruit Snacks
The Real Deal
What do you do when not at the track? Workout, play high school football, and hangout with my friends and girlfriend
What are your goals outside of karting? To get good grades, play football in college, get a mechanical engineering degree, and hopefully keep racing
What type of street car do you drive? Ford Explorer
What type of street car would you like to drive? My girlfriend’s dad’s Ferrari
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Racers who block
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? Fewer classes, deeper fields, and more laps
March Driver of the Month - Honorable Mention:
- Robert Bujdoso: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series Kershaw - TaG 1 and TaG 2 winner
- Sam Beasley: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series Kershaw - 3 wins, 2 runner-ups in 7 classes
- Jimmy McNeil: ProKart Challenge South Willow Springs - S4 sweep
- Oliver Askew: Florida Winter Tour Ocala - Rotax Junior double winner
- Carlo Rinaldi: Florida Winter Tour Ocala - Rotax Masters double winner (clinched championship) |
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
