2010 Lucas Off Road Racing Pro 4 Rookie of the Year Mike Johnson
- 7 Feb 2011
"I'm extremely comfortable in a Pro 4," Johnson said. "It's a very good fit for my driving style. I had tested with Carl [Renezeder] and was pretty quick right away, so I was confident we could compete." Johnson narrowly edged out John Harrah and Eric Barron for the rookie honors. The three were separated by just 14 points at the end of the season. Working with Renezeder, a multi-time champion in different off-road classes, and a sure-fire future Hall of Famer, was the highlight of Johnson's season. "To be able to drive for the American Flyer team and Carl and to help build a team was a very rewarding experience."
Johnson was the 2008 Championship Off Road Racing Pro 2 Rookie of the Year, and has spent the last three season's mastering the 2-wheel drive vehicles. When the call came to jump into the 4-wheel powered beasts, Johnson was ready. He finished 9th in points and collected his first podium, a third place finish, in the seasons fourth race. Johnson said success didn't come easy. "It's just like the NFL. On any given Sunday there are 10, 15 drivers who could win. I try not to take anything for granted. I think the fact that we didn't clinch the rookie honors until the last race of the season says a lot about the quality of drivers and teams we faced last year," Johnson said. Johnson is already preparing for 2011, and knows there are areas his team can improve, like "having less DNFs (did not finish) and more podiums." Johnson spoke well about K&N and their commitment to racing. "Obviously we us them, and so do most of the other teams. I have never used another filter. They perform flawlessly, so we never even need to think about them malfunctioning. They know racers and their needs, and are always working to develop new products that are competitive and environmentally friendly. And, the best part is, all of their products are made in the USA!" 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. |
