The Garden Island Racing Association held its first race of the 2003 season early in April at the Kaua’i Raceway Park. Under cloudy skies and the threat of rain all day and night, GIRA managed another successful racing event on
The Garden Island Racing Association held its first race of the 2003 season early in April at the Kaua’i Raceway Park.
Under cloudy skies and the threat of rain all day and night, GIRA managed another successful racing event on Kaua’i.
In the PRO ET class, Jed Kaiakapu was the winner in his 1967 Chevy Nova SS, with a 454 engine, sponsored by Western Motors. He ran a 10.006 on a 10.30 dial in at 120.32 MPH.
Chris Loew was the runner-up in his 1969 Chevy Chevelle, with a 402 big block, sponsored by Speedie Lube and Pennzoil.
He ran a 12.597 on a 12.55 dial in at 105.39 MPH. Chris lost by virtue of his read light.
In the Superstreet ET (sponsored by King Auto Center), Walt Barnes was the winner in his 1994 Ford Mustang GT convertible with a 5.0 engine sponsored by Real-Net Advertising.
He finished with a 14.663 on a 14.65 dial in at 69.34 MPH.
Brandon Peahu was the runner-up in his 1996 Yamaha motorcycle with a 600cc engine.
He ran an 11.803 on an 11.30 dial in at 120.64 MPH.
Bill Winningham was the winner of the Street ET division in his 1986 Toyota Tercel with a 4-cylinder engine. He ran an 18.365 on an 18.20 dial in at 60.24 MPH.
Kainoa Paza was the runner-up in his 1990 Honda Civic with a 4-cylinder 1.5 engine. He ran at 17.525 on a 17.00 dial in at 79.37 MPH.
In the Junior ET class, Cohlton Riskus, 9 years old, was the winner in his Briggs’ 5 horse power dragster, sponsored by Snake Pit Racing, Hula Girl and Big Foot Tools.
He ran a 10.924 on a 10.85 dial in at 57.54 MPH.
Twelve-year old Sheldon Costa (racing in his brothers’ junior dragster) was the runner-up. He was sponsored by D&W Services (Auto Maintenance and Repair).
He ran a 7.938 on a 7.75 dial in at 79.09 MPH.
On the night of the event, spectators were also treated by two side-by-side runs of Myles Togioka in his injected nitro burning dragster and Tyley Taba diving the Matsuda Bros/Taba Blown alcohol burning dragster.
On the first of the two side-by-side runs, Myles ran a 7.656 ET at 188.29 MPH to Tyler’s 7.674 at 176.47 MPH. On the second run, Myles ran a 7.175 ET ay 199.12 MPH to Tyler’s 7.608 at 176.47 MPH.
The next race will take place May 4 with gates opening at 8 a.m.
For more information about the GIRA and drag racing, call 639-6734.
