Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Just read on IBRacin's website that Keith Kauffman won't be back in the #39 in 2011, but WILL be in the Heckman Tree Farm #8H. I did read about the car owners and such on Kauffmans website, but I'm curious about the competitiveness of the ride. Anybody out there know if this is a good ride or not? Any info one way or the other would be appreciated! Take care.

In 7 races at Port Royal, 19 year old Michael Heckman had a DNQ, DNS and an average finish of 16.6. He finished 24th in his only other race of the season at Hagestown in May. He didn't race after July 10.

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Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound too promising for ol' Keith. Hopefully the results you reported were just due to an inexperienced driver/crew- and I think we can ALL agree that one of the things Kauffman brings is experience. I read on Keiths site that Michael Heckman drove the car in '09-'10, are those the only 2 years this team has been around? If not who else has driven the car?

It is a family owned team that previously ran as a 305 team before going 410 racing in 2009. As you mentioned, the driver was very young and inexpeienced. The team did win in the 305s with Michael Heckman, but it certainly is not one of the better 410 teams in PA. The 410 field is really weak at Port, however, once you get past the top couple cars. Sounds as though the team will just concentrate on Port, and the team should at least be decent there.

http://www.ijustwannarace.com/10michaelheckman.htm

Hey, thanks alot for the information! I admit I don't know a whole lot about the Port Royal drivers, I'm from Iowa, but I do remember Keith coming to Knoxville in the early 80's when I was just a little kid, and I've always been a huge fan. I just hope he keeps running, I know he's into his 60's (or close to it), but the man is a LEGEND!!!

Keith turned 60 this year (born in June 1950). Port Royal has had surface and management issues in recent years that has chased away some teams. Lance Dewease and Mark Smith are two examples of drivers that have been big winners at Port in the past, but primarily raced at Lincoln on Saturday nights in recent years. In addition, with the Beam No. 88 team folding, Todd Shaffer is another big Port winner that does not have a ride at the present time.

The all-time Port Royal 410 Sprint Car win list has Keith Kauffman on top with 128 wins, followed by Todd Shaffer with 94 and Lance Dewease with 92.

Not much on the win list at Port, also doesn't race there much. The Edge Monteith ran there twice this year and left with over 20 grand in two shows. Keith will be ok if they get the right people in place any team can be brought up to speed.