MANA — Wahine power shone through the smoke and dust of the October Garden Island Racing Association drag races held at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana.
Danika Braun piloted her ‘00 junior dragster to the top of the junior dragster tree on a final run down the one-eighth mile course on a 7.95 elapsed time to reach 80.11 mph on the clean run that bested Travis Freitas Jr.’s challenge that clocked in an 8.93 ET on speeds topping 72.47 mph.
During the event where the GIRA continued to support efforts at curbing the COVID-19 new cases, Kelsie Iida-Vierra topped the top gun class on her ‘03 Spitzer dragster that roared to a 7.91 ET down the quarter-mile strip, reaching 169.52 mph. Iida-Vierra’s efforts were challenged by another wahine, T’Ryane Sakamoto, who settled for runner-up after red lighting off the line.
All participants, including spectators, had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours of the event, and all county rules and mandates were adhered to at the Mana strip.
Brie Saiki piloted her ‘00 Honda Civic to the top of the sport compact class after her challenger Bugzee Bargayo red-lighted. Saiki moved her Civic to a 14.49 ET, reaching 94.85 mph on a 13.99 dial-in.
The next race is scheduled for Nov. 20 at Kaua‘i Raceway Park. According to GIRA officials, the race is not open to spectators, and interested people should check the Garden Island Racing Association Facebook page for any updates and information.
Oct. 9 results
• Top Gun: Kelsie Iida-Vierra, ‘03 Spitzer Dragster, Elapsed Time 7.91, 169.52 mph, Dial-in 7.90; Runner Up: T’Ryane Sakamoto, ‘00 Dragster, ET 8.00, 165.94 mph, Dial-in 7.97 (red light); semi: Robby/Aaron Silva Jr., ‘02 Dragster.
• Pro ET: Solomon Ruiz, ‘71 GM Opel GT, 10.21 ET, 129.88 mph, 10.30 dial-in; R/U Jason Barros, ‘68 Chevy Camaro, 10.96 ET, 106.91 mph, 10.79 dial-in (red light); semi Kip Furugen, ‘67 Volkswagen.
• Muscle V8: Kevin Wataya, ‘86 Chevy Camaro, 11.64 ET, 111.89 mph, 11.59 dial-in; R/U Alma Koetje, 12.24 ET, 111.17 mph, 12.22 dial-in; semi: Chris Bonilla, ‘38 Plymouth pickup; semi: Kevin Suga, ‘85 Toyota pickup.
• Sport Compact: Brie Saiki, ‘00 Honda Civic, 14.49 ET, 94.85 mph, 13.99 dial-in; R/U Bugzee Bargayo, 14.50 ET, 65.82 mph, 13.45 (red light) dial-in; semi: Micah Robley, ‘92 Honda Civic.
• Super Pro: Brian Dow, ‘65 Ford Mustang, 9.94 ET, 131.36 mph, 9.87 dial-in; R/U Wendall Nonaka, ‘72 Chevy Vega, 9.63 ET, 135.08 mph, 9.71 (break out) dial-in; semi: Rob Nelson.
• Street: AJ Basuel, ‘97 Honda Civic, 15.11 ET, 89.02 mph, 15.00 dial-in; R/U Keoki Saiki, 17.99 ET, 73.42 mph, 17.90 dial-in; semi: Tucker Giuliano.
• Bike ET: Aaron Andersland, ‘08 Suzuki GSXR 1000, 11.25 ET, 126.69 mph, 11.30 (break out) dial-in; R/U Adam Beetles, ‘09 Kawasaki Concours, 11.0 ET, 121.02 mph, 11.15 (break out) dial-in; semi: Laurence Palmeira, ‘13 Kawasaki ZX.
• Junior Dragster: Danika Braun, ‘00 Jr. Dragster, 7.95 ET, 81.88 mph, 7.90 dial-in; R/U Travis Freitas Jr., ‘00 Jr. Dragster, 8.93 ET, 72.47 mph, 8.90 dial-in; semi: Wally Rita III, ‘00 Jr. Dragster.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
