MANA — Craig Fujimoto, driving a 1987 Buick Regal, was a dual winner at the Garden Island Racing Association drag races that ended on Sunday at Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana.
Fujimoto, competing in the Super Pro Shootout sponsored by Southern Turf Hawai‘i, trailered four racers in the Shootout on Saturday, said Rob Nelson, a GIRA board member.
“This included Top Gun’s Zailea Lawrence driving her ‘68 Camaro, and Cory Tani from O‘ahu driving a Kaua‘i-based Chevy Cobaltm,” Nelson said. “Fujimoto put down another five competitors on Sunday night to claim the top prize, again by out-racing the Super Pro heavy hitters, including Wendall Nonaka, and the current points leader, Rob Nelson. Fujimoto went on his way to knock out Top Gun racer Manny Lawrence in his ‘57 Thunderbird, and finally, Donaven Gomes in his rear-engine dragster.”
The weekend series of races drew more than 100 competitors in eight classes with more than 20 racers in the Super Pro Shootout.
“Thank you, thank you,” said Fujimoto following his second night Shootout win and the $4,400 cash prize. “I still can’t believe it.”
The Super Pro Shootout paid out $11,000 over the two days, thanks to the generous sponsorship by Southern Turf Hawai‘i, GIRA’s ongoing title sponsor Napa Auto Parts, and class sponsors Dan Suga Construction and Subway Lihu‘e.
Lacin Montemayor, piloting his 1987 S-10 pickup, was also a double winner after claiming victory on Saturday and Sunday in the Pro ET class.
The next event is the GIRA Two-Wheel Takedown showcasing the motorcycles, and the debut of the Grocery Getters, which is open to all four-door street legal vehicles. Both events will take place as part of regular drag racing on Oct. 7.
For more information, visit www.dragrace-kauai.com.
Sept. 2 results
• Top Gun: Mike Olivas, 1948 Fiat Topolino, 7.455 elapsed time (ET), 7.12 Dial-in, 147.58 mph; T’Ryane Sakamoto, dragster.
• Pro ET: Lacin Montemayor, 1987 S-10 pickup, 10.122 ET, 10.06 Dial-in, 118.03 mph; Aaron Imada, 1992 Honda hatchback, 10.170 ET 10.00 Dial-in, 141.57 mph.
• Muscle V8: Bill Norris, 1985 Camaro, 13.023 ET, 13.00 Dial-in, 103.46 mph; Liko Pereira, 1990 Mustang, Red Light.
• Sport Compact: Brandon Fujishige, 2018 ATS-V, 12.326 ET, 12.37 Dial-in, 112.02 mph; Keanu Dotario, 1999 Civic, 11.871 ET, 11.99 Dial-in, 118.82 mph (Break out).
• Super Pro Shootout: Craig Fujimoto, 1987 Buick Regal, 10.686 ET, 10.63 Dial-in, 1126.12 mph; Cory Tani, 2005 Cobalt, 10.495 ET, 10.40 Dial-in, 121.81 mph.
• Street: Jackie Nakamura, 2010 Corolla.
• Motorcycle: Matthew Kaleiohi, 2002 Suzuki, 10.089 ET, 10.30 Dial-in, 132.76 mph; Kahale Kaleiohi, 2008 Suzuki, 11.321 ET, 11.25 Dial-in, 123.34 mph (Red Light).
• Jr. Dragster: Taislee Simao, 2000 Sportcraft 7.971 ET, 7.96 Dial-in, 78.83 mph; Dreyden Decker, 2000 Jr. Dragsterm 9.009 ET, 9.00 Dial-in, 70.90 mph.
Sept. 3 Results
• Top Gun: T’Ryane Sakamoto, 2000 Dragster, 8.051 ET, 7.95 Dial-in, 160.13 mph; Jesse Kealoha, 2000 300Z, 8.797 ET, 8.51 Dial-in, 155.70 mph.
• Pro ET: Lacin Montemayor, 1987 S-10 pickup, 10.074 ET, 10.06 Dial-in, 126.71 mph; Kari Nakamura, 1967 Nova, 10.318 ET, 10.28 Dial-in, 128.03 mph (Red Light).
• Muscle V8: Tyler Clark, 2020 Mustang GT, 12.090 ET, 12.05 Dial-in, 117.20 mph; Alma Koetje, 1998 Corvette, 12.251 ET, 12.26 Dial-in, 111.56 mph (Break Out).
• Sport Compact: Brandon Fujishige, 2018 Cadillac ATS-V, 12.426 ET, 12.22 Dial-in, 87.78 mph; Teagan Amorin, 1998 Civic, 12.502 ET, 11.90 Dial-in, 110.22 mph.
• Super Pro Shootout: Craig Fujimoto, 1987 Regal, 10.709 ET, 10.63 Dial-in, 122.73 mph; Donaven Gomes, 1999 Triple Nickel Dragster, 8.906 ET, 8.78 Dial-in, 148.78 (Red Light).
• Street: Sierra Koerte, 2023 GMC, 16.322 ET, 15.85 Dial-in, 79.11 mph; Jackie Nakamura, 2010 Corolla, 17.679 ET, 17.49 Dial-in, 78.23 mph (Red Light).
• Motorcycle: Adam Beetles, 2009 Kawasaki, 12.013 ET, 11.68 Dial-in, 104.00 mph; John Mersberg, 2013 Suzuki, 8.781 ET, 8.60 Dial-in, 164.32 (Red Light).
• Jr. Dragster: Sophia Koetje, 2022 Halfscale Electric, 9.042 ET, n9.03 Dial-in, 77.41 mph; Kitana Bonilla, 2000 Phantom, 8.014 ET, 7.93 Dial-in, 79.88 mph.
