Sarah Fisher Gets Grilled

Apr 11 2008 by Kristin Varela

4/11/08

5 Year-Old Guest Columnist Chats with IndyCar Driver

By Cade Varela

What is it about the kids of Mother Proof that makes it so darn easy for them to score the interviews that the rest of us have a tough time landing? Five-year-old guest columnist Cade Varela (inset) chats up IndyCar driver Sarah Fisher about all things safety.  As it turns out, Sarah didn't race in the IndyCar race at St. Petersburg, but she's still fast, furious and also very friendly. She answered Cade's questions by email.

Dear Miss Sarah,

My name is Cade Casteel Varela.  You spell it C-A-D-E and I'm learning how to write it in cursive.  I am 5 years old.  That's cool because I heard that you started racing cars when you were 5 years old. I'm Catalin's little sister.  She helps me clean my room.  When we're finished cleaning we like to play racecars.  We make them out of big boxes, push each other around fast on the carpet and pretend to change the tires and give them gas.  Will you please answer my questions?

Hi Cade-
How cute you are! Cursive was always tough for me, but all you have to do is practice.  I've gotten pretty fast at signing my name in cursive.  I use to put my dolls in my wagons and race them around too-it was fun.

Cade: What do like to ride in to get to your races?  Scooters, bikes or cars?

Sarah: "The political answer to this is my Acura TL.  We usually pull it behind my motor coach to use at the race track.  But my day-to-day car is a BMW M3 when I'm at home.  When we are at the track, I typically ride around on a bicycle but can sometimes be found on a scooter."

Cade: What things are in your car that make it safe for you to drive so fast?

Sarah: "Every year, the series continually makes changes to enhance the safety of the car. This year, we have added anti-intrusion panels to keep parts from piercing the tub and driver inside. We also have several safety elements in our head gear, Hans devices, and ballistic-packed headrest surrounds. Other safety features include a rear impact attenuator, styrene beaded seats, and the more obvious personal safety gear of the driver. These are just a few specific pieces.  It gets pretty technical."

Cade: Is it scary when someone in front of you crashes and tires and things go flying at you?!

Sarah: "Avoiding the crash is the most important thing here. Evaluating where parts or cars are headed and get though it quickly.  It can be like a obstacle course!"

Cade: Does your helmet keep sharp things from hitting your head? What color is your helmet?

Sarah: "I have a shield on the front of my helmet to protect my face and we have tear offs that we can take off after so many laps because they get dirty.  You can think of it like a wiper on your mom's car.  When I take the tear off of the shield, it's clean again.  My helmet last year was red and white.  But it will probably have some blue elements tied in this year because part of our sponsors' colors are elements of blue and I really like blue."

Cade: Do your helpers [referring to her crew] do anything to help keep you safe before you start your race?

Sarah: "They prepare the car to its safest possible condition."

Cade: Thanks for talking to me.

Sarah: "Good luck with your cursive."

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