FRANKLIN — Just over a month after first joining MyFM 101.3 to talk about his racing season, eight-year-old Franklin racer Axel Rivera returned to The Zone with his father, Luis, to share how much has changed in a short amount of time.
The biggest development may be speed. Rivera said he recently competed on dirt and reached roughly 43 miles per hour, nearly finishing third before spinning late in the race.
“I have been going faster and I really like it,” Rivera said.
His father said the improvement goes beyond raw speed. Luis Rivera said Axel has become more patient behind the wheel and is beginning to think through passes before making them.
“He has a lot more patience,” Rivera said. “He’s planning the moves before he makes the move when it comes to a pass.”
That development has come through a heavy practice schedule. Rivera said Axel has been practicing two to three times per week, with preparation playing a major role in reducing nerves once race day arrives.
The progress was on display during a recent dirt race in Saco, Maine, where Axel was driving a borrowed kart on a track he had never raced before. Mechanical issues limited him to just one practice session, but while his father worked on the kart, Axel watched other drivers to learn their lines and tendencies.
He then qualified fourth out of six drivers in an open class, which included adults, and ran as high as third before spinning late in the race.
Luis Rivera said that moment stood out because of how quickly Axel adapted.
“He took the initiative to go watch the other practices and see where all the other kids were driving on track and how they were driving,” Rivera said. “When he went out for his practice session, he looked like he’d been driving the car forever.”
Axel has also become more involved in preparing for races. While his father still handles much of the mechanical work, Axel said he can now get himself ready by putting on his helmet and fastening his own seatbelts.
The family is also closing in on one of its biggest goals of the season. According to Luis Rivera, one more race victory would lock Axel into the Race of Champions, which is expected to take place in September.
Before then, Axel is scheduled to race next at Little T at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut.
Support from Franklin and other local communities has also continued to grow since the family’s first MyFM interview. Luis Rivera said several businesses and supporters have expressed interest in helping the racing effort next year, which could become especially important as the family plans to travel nationally.
Axel also has a significant transition ahead. He said he plans to retire from quarter midgets after this season and move into go-kart racing, with Legends cars potentially coming later.
For next season, Rivera said his biggest goal is to improve his car control and continue learning on both pavement and dirt.
“I don’t fully know each,” Axel said. “I’m still learning.”
When asked what he will remember most from the season, Axel did not point to a victory or a lap time.
“The friends I made along the way,” he said.
His father echoed that sentiment, saying the long-term value of the season is about more than trophies.
“When you get older, you look back at the time spent, not necessarily the wins that you’ve gained over the years,” Luis Rivera said. “It’s always about that time spending with your family.”
With several races still remaining, Rivera now has one immediate target in front of him: one more win and a spot in the Race of Champions.
For the full interview with Axel and Luis Rivera, click here: The Zone – Axel and Luis Rivera
