Joshua Peralta, King of the Track

Joshua Peralta crowned King of The Track

Tyler Taba Quickest ET – 6.894 seconds, 199.12 mph

The Garden Isle Racing Association held its 30th annual Independence Day Drag Races on July 4 and 5 at Kaua’i Raceway Park in Mana, the westernmost quarter-mile strip in the United States.

Racing before a crowd of 1,600 on Friday, 69 racers competed in five classes. For the two days of competition, the fastest performance was a tie at 199.12 mph by Tyler Taba of Honolulu driving the Matsuda Bros. and Taba dragster and Myles Togioka of Kekaha driving the M&S Marine AA/F dragster. The Quickest ET was Tyler Taba at 6.894 second.

In the PSD NAPA Street ET bracket My Paden of Kilauea drove to victory in her 5.9L 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee sponsored by Speedie Lube to victory, cutting a .763 light and running 15.346 at 87.38 mph on a 15.33 dial-in. Frank Quirantes of Kekaha was second in his DSRhawaii.com-sponsored 2.2L 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, with a .836 light and 18.120 ET, 64.75 mph on a 18.10 dial-in. Friday’s King Auto Center Super Street ET bracket final round was a double breakout won by Allan Duldulao of Eleele in his XV Racing 1996 Honda Civic Coupe with a .545 reaction time, running 13.225 98.68 mph on a 13.26 dial-in. In second place was Riley Takayama of Kalaheo, driving his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 sponsored by Matsuda Bros. and Taba and Auto Value Parts. Takayama ran 11.517 at 115.17 mph on a 11.60 dial-in with a .636 light.

Tony King of Kekaha won the Pro ET bracket, driving the “Goin’ Bananas” 440 Plymouth Duster sponsored by the Waimea Snack Shop, Howard’s Auto Repair, Unlimited Construction and Manny’s Auto Repair. Norris won with a .571 light running 11.024 at 119.68 mph on a 10.92 dial-in. Ralph Villabrille of Kapaa finished second in his 1923 Bucket-T Roadster powered by a 355 Chevy when he broke out running 8.457 on a 8.58 dial-in with a .539 light.

In the Junior ET bracket for NHRA Jr. Dragsters, Calvin Costa, 14, of Kalaheo, sponsored by D&W Services and Uncle Richard Anama, won with a .641 light running 7.733 at 83.18 mph on a 7.65 dial-in. In second place, with the same sponsors, was Calvin’s brother, Sheldon Costa, 12, who broke out running 8.047 at 78.81 mph on a 8.05 dial-in with a .726 light.

In heads-up Top Gun racing, Myles Togioka of Kekaha driving the M&S Marine AA/F dragster sponsored by CarQuest qualified at 7.365 at 193.97 mph. Tyler Taba of Honolulu driving the Matsuda Bros. and Taba blown alcohol dragster sponsored by Pembrook Industries, Hadama Service, Rat Designs, Triple Nickel Racecars, and Bill Miller Rods & Pistons qualified with a 6.905 ET at 195.65 mph. Togioka was Friday night’s Top Gun running 7.333 at 188.28 mph after Taba’s was unable to compete in the final round.

Saturday’s racing action features 67 cars competing in 6 classes. In PSD NAPA Street ET racing Jordan Valdez of Lihue won driving his 1995 Honda Civic hatchback with a 16.969 ET at 57.47 mph on a 16.50 dial-in and .594 RT. In second place was Joel Macugay of Kapaa in his 2003 Nissan Sentra running 16.856 at 67.57 mph on a 15.90 dial-in with a .682 RT.

Victory in Saturday’s King Auto Center Super Street ET went to Rocky Ferraro of Kapaa in his 1988 Chevrolet Corvette sponsored by Ray’s Cycle Sales with an easy 15.823 at 67 Mph on his 12.86 dial-in after Jon Nakamura of Anahola placed second driving his 1988 Ford Mustang 5.0 sponsored by Kauai Petroleum and 76 Gas red-lighted on his 15.234 ET 90.73 Mph run.

The final round of Pro ET saw Joshua Peralta of Kalaheo in his 1967 Chevy Camaro sponsored by Auto Performance Parts & Service take first place with a 11.739 ET at 115.38 Mph on a 11.67 dial-in with a .555 RT beating second place Franklin Fontanilla of Eleele driving his 1968 Chevy Camaro running 11.253 at 119.68 Mph on a 11.23 dial-in with a .614 light.

In the Quick 8 ET bracket Tony King reprised his previous night’s victory, capturing first place with an 11.089 ET at 119.36 Mph run on his 10.97 dial-in. Coming in at second place was Kira Kaiakapu of Eleele when the Western Motors Dragster was unable to complete the round.

Saturday night’s racing featured a special Jr Dragster Racing League competition sponsored by NHRA. Coming in first place was Calvin Costa with a 7.706 ET at 83.49 mph on a 7.67 dial-in after his brother Sheldon red lighted on a 8.439 ET, 64.94 mph run.

Tyler Taba of Honolulu driving the Matsuda Bros. and Taba dragster was Saturday night’s Top Gun with a 6.942 second, 196.51 Mph final round victory over Myles Togioka of Kekaha driving the M&S Marine AA/F dragster with a 7.207 ET at 195.65 mph.

Saturday night’s special awards recipients included Lorin Gains of Kapaa driving her 1988 Chevy Camaro sponsored by Oceanview Glass with the best reaction time in competition of .501. Nestor Cabatan of Lihue driving his 2000 Honda Accord was closest to his dial-in with a 16.654 ET on his 16.65 dial-in.

Saturday night’s racing featured a run off of all ET class winners to determine the NHRA Kauai Raceway Park King of the Track. The 2003 winner was Joshua Peralta who ran 11.696 at 115.09 mph on a 11.67 dial-in with a .572 RT, beating Rocky Ferraro’s .556 light, 12.830 at 105.63 mph breakout on his 12.86 dial-in.

The Garden Isle Racing Association is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes safe motorsports and responsible street driving. GIRA hosts NHRA-sanctioned drag racing at Kaua’i Raceway Park in Mana. GIRA races include classes for street-legal cars, imports, Jr. Dragsters, and pro race cars. The GIRA directors extend their appreciation for the hard work of all the volunteers that helped make the Independence Day races a success.

GIRA’s last races will be held the first Sunday of August, September and October from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The last race of the year is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1 from noon to midnight. For more information call 652-3493.