photo by Kendra Kaffel
Story by Chris Roy
Wiscasset Speedway kicks off the 2016 race season on April 23rd, though the driver of the #78 pro-stock Ivan Kaffel, has had a busy off season but is ready to go racing. “This off season I’ve been playing on an elite 8th grade AAU (Amateur Athletics Union) basketball team that travels all over New England.”
Kaffel Motorsports will be busy this race season, racing at Oxford Plans Speedway as well as Wiscasset Speedway, “To race our local tracks in our family owned Super Late Model.”
Wiscasset Speedway is Maines fastest track, so what does it the key to getting around the 3/8 mile race track? “For me it was getting through the bumps coming out of turn 4.”
Two of the biggest races in Maine are the Oxford 250 at OPS and the Boss Hog 100 at Wiscasset Speedway. “If my team and I feel ready enough by those races, then we will attempt to qualify in both of them.”
Ivan is a hands on driver, “I spend as much time with my crew in the shop as I can.”
Get the race setup for each race is essential. The weather, track temperature, and track surface can all play a role in the car setup. “Setup is huge on these cars, not so much the night effect but more keeping up with the track as it changes. Last year the crew was pretty good at that.”
One thing the drivers do in the off season is get the car ready for the 1st green flag to start the season. “Yes, the car is done other than graphics.”
Drivers love racing at Wiscasset Speedway for the speed, the competitors, and the fans, Ivan likes it for one more reason. “Richard and Vanessa Jordan welcomed me at such a young age and made me feel very comfortable. I also like how it’s the fastest track in Maine.”
One part of racing that is key is the sponsors. They sponsor the tracks, races, and race teams. So how important are Ivan’s team sponsors? “Huge, without them we could never compete at this level.
Ivan would like to thank his sponsors-VIP Tires and Service, Raymond Car Wash, Torettos Garage, Cutting Edge Landscaping, Landing Real Estate (Kristen Roy), Green Barn Racing, Kingsley Pines Kids Camp, Mainley Motorsports TV, G&K Motors, Inner Space Services .
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