Female participation within the Canadian drag racing scene continues it’s upward scale….. Southern Ontario’s KHR team is but the latest on that important and positive list….
For 16-year old Cristina Johnston, who is the daughter to recent newlyweds Jennie Johnston and Kyle Harris, the 2016 season included a very major upgrade.
Based from Buford Ontario, the former Junior Dragster driver and already long time drag racing enthusiast, received a very special gift for her 16th birthday earlier this year. That day saw Cristina receive an expertly built and very impressive supercharged dragster allowing for the next logical step for her racing career aspirations.
Acquired from North Carolina’s Richard Hartman, Cristina’s Horton Race Cars is a hard-tailed chassis machine that features the engine and transmission program formally used within Kyle Harris’ “Equipment Express” 32’ Austin Bantam-bodied Top Dragster. When Kyle decided to upgrade his altered’s drivetrain for this season, he transferred into the dragster a 372 CID billet small block motor built by Atchison Machine. That alcohol fuelled motor features 23 degree heads and a 6-71 supercharger.
Cristina Johnston takes a 6-secs and near 200 mph ride in her birthday gift!
“Needless to say — that was a pretty special birthday gift,” Cristina laughed. “I was honed into this sport at a very early age — I’ve been around it as far back as I can remember. I got into racing Junior Dragsters when I was 12 and did that for five seasons. I’ve developed a real passion for the sport so when I got this car — that was amazing. This is for sure a big step up – there are whole different dynamics involved and also a big learning curve. But for sure it’s been very exciting.”
Kyle Harris drives the KHR ’32 Austin Bantam – one of the most popular entries within the Napa/Autopro Ultimate Showdown Series circuit.
After getting her licence earlier in the season Cristina made some select event appearances with the car mostly in test mode. She is targeting advanced ET and Q 16 class racing intially, but the longer term plan involves joining the ranks of Top Dragster class racing.
“My race schedule in 2016 was back and forth a bit,” she continued. “This year – we stayed local mostly while I got licensed, got used to driving the car and tested our combination. I want to gain experience racing this, learn how to run it to it’s fullest potential and see what we can achieve in it.”
Cristina has also passed on her former Junior Dragster ride to her brother Ryan.
“Once she gets more comfortable and acclimated we will enter more competition,” added dad Kyle Harris. “The car went 6.82 secs at 198 mph. Once we get the car quick enough we will enter her in some (Napa/Autopro) Ultimate Showdown Drag Racing Series events.”
Cristina admits she also takes a lot of inspiration from other female drag racers out there – including NHRA Pro drivers like Courtney and Brittney Force and Alexis Dejoria and she admits her long term career goal involves Top Fuel dragster racing.
“I’m very motivated by other successful female drivers out there,” she added. “And in Canada, I really admire Shawna Woudstra (from Watertown Ontario) who I get see race a lot.”
Cristina is currently a high school student attending Assumption College (in Brantford). Once she finishes high school she is looking to continue her education at London’s Fanshawe College. “My plan is to stay local with my schooling – so that I can continue to pursue my racing too,” she added.
Cristina is part of the very family orientated KHR Racing team, which also includes her Mom Jennie, brother Ryan and Kyle’s brother Cody. Her dragster effort receives some very valued support from primary sponsor “Iron Bridge Fabrication” (who previously supported her Junior Dragster racing program). Atchison Machine, Fast Eddie Racewear, and Ted’s Collectables provide the team with associate backing.
The family oriented KHR racing team includes Cody & Kyle Harris and Ryan, Cristina and Jennie Johnston.
Post and Photos by Bruce Biegler
