MANA — Kolokea Kamakele powered her gas-powered junior dragster to an eight-second run, reaching a top speed of 79.64 miles per hour during the finals of the First Junior Dragster Shootout on June 1 at Kaua‘i Raceway Park in an event hosted Garden Isle Racing Association.
The run was quicker than Sophia Koetje’s run down the one-eighth mile strip in her electric junior dragster vehicle that clocked a 9.17 elapsed time and a top speed of 77.92 mph. But the handicapping gave the win to Koetje during the first Junior Dragster Shootout.
The eventual fourth place winner, Taislee Simao, picked up honors for having the Best Reaction Time, and being Closest to her Dial-in.
Garden Island Racing Association announced the next event at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park is the Independence Day races that will run over two days — July 6 and 7. Saturday’s event will feature the Battle on the Beach event where the fastest and loudest cars will compete.
For tickets, visit www.thefoat.com and search “Kauai Raceway Park” for tickets. For scheduling through the rest of the year, visit dragracekauai.com.
Results
• Jr. Dragster Shootout: Sophia Koetje, 2023 Half Scale Electric Junior Dragster, Elapsed Time 9.17, 77.92 Miles Per Hour, Dial-in 9.11; Kolokea Kamakele, 2010 Half Scale Jr Dragster, ET 9.17, 79.64 mph, 7.90 Dial-in; Ryan Medeiros, 2020 Half Scale Jr Dragster; Taislee Simao, 2000 Sportcraft Jr Dragster.
• Second Shot Winners: Kitana Bonilla, Kayde Brock, Shalia Vierra, Zaylee Souza.
• Best Reaction: Taislee Simao.
• Closest to Dial-in: Taislee Simao.
• Top Gun: Calvin Costa, 1968 Chevy Camaro, 9.94 ET, 137.08 mph, 9.90 Dial-in; Larry Asuncion, 1923 Spitzer T-Bucket, 7.91 ET, 176.30 mph, 7.78 Dial-in; Robert “Bobby” Perkins, 1948 Fiat Topolino.
• Pro ET: Mary Kealoha, 1969 Chevy Camaro, 10.17 ET, 126.06 mph, 10.12 Dial-in; Tyler Clark, 2020 Ford Mustang, 11.77 ET, 118.84 mph, 11.49 Dial-in; Ricky Uemura, 1993 Honda Civic.
• Muscle V8: Riley Takayama, no car info, 11.69 ET, 116.60 mph, 11.84 Dial-in; Tyler Clark, 2020 Ford Mustang GT, 11.63 ET, 118.89 mph, 11.65 Dial-in (Red Light); Liko Pereira, 1990 Ford Mustang; Alma Koetje, 1998 Chevy Corvette C5.
• Super Pro: Wendall Nonaka, 1927 Ford Roadster, 9.36 ET, 147.98 mph, 9.34 Dial-in; Rob Nelson, 1981 Pontiac TransAm, 10.18 ET, 138.41 mph, 10.20 Dial-in (Break out); Robin Correa, 1968 Datsun 520.
• Street: Brandon Fujishige, 2003 Toyota, 18.35 ET, 58.91 mph, 18.05 Dial-in; Kelson Saiki, 2004 Honda Accord, 15.89 ET, 87.36 mph, 14.99 Dial-in; James Brogan (no car information), Mikey Remigio, 1998 Honda Civic.
• Bike: Wilmark Geronimo, 2004 Yamaha R6, 10.91 ET, 126.58 mph, 10.85 Dial-in; Matthew Kaleiohi, 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa, 10.30 ET, 132.04 mph, 10.0 Dial-in; Lawrence Palmeira, 2013 Kawasaki 2X10.
