KUKUI GROVE – There was no acrid aroma of nitro, nor the screeching of tires, or the ear-shattering roar of gigantic motors at the first race to be held on Kaua‘i. But, the same sense of competition that stokes the
KUKUI GROVE – There was no acrid aroma of nitro, nor the screeching of tires, or the ear-shattering roar of gigantic motors at the first race to be held on Kaua‘i.
But, the same sense of competition that stokes the adrenaline of drivers in full-sized cars was evident as Cy Bagano picked up the tail end of time trials at the XMod Race sponsored by Radio Shack at the Kukui Grove stage, Halloween Sunday.
Bagano’s gold 330Z cleaned up the track with a 40.65, but in the race for the marbles, Bagano soared over the competition to nail first place and the cache of prizes that included an assortment of XMod merchandise including a cap that lost little time finding its way to Bagano’s head.
Cory Simao’s Mustang topped the time trials with a 21.9 run, but was bested by Bagano in the final race.
Art Antoine, one of the three Radio Shack employees that spearheaded Sunday’s event, explained that time trials include the time it takes to right an overturned car, or untangle traffic jams at the turns. “They all add up,” Antoine said.
Micah Rabot finished third in the time trials, his Supra tripping the clock at 25.12 followed by cousin Dustin Valdez finishing at 35.93.
Bagano, in claiming his prizes, said he’s been racing since July, and was looking forward to trying his hand at the Sunday race on a 10 x 14-foot track that was brought in by Radio Shack.
Jaime Valdez, on the other hand, played techie throughout the day as his two children tried their hand on the rubberized track.
“It’s a family affair,” he said, using a tech run as an excuse to try his hand at steering on the tight turns. “The children have been racing for about a year, now. They started out with Zib Zab cars, also a Radio Shack line, that features micro cars.”
But, when Dustin switched to the XMod, Alexsis was not far behind, Jaime said. “There’s more power, speed, and better selection (of car models). But, what got them was customization. Their cars all have custom paint jobs and have been customized in some way or another.”
“Alexsis loves it, too,” mom Colleen said. “She got into it through her brother and cousin. Too bad the track is not bigger.”
As if to anticipate that comment, the trio who organized the event said that there are more and bigger events planned now that people know about these races.
“But, to expand the course, you need to buy another track,” Antoine said. “As more events take place, we’ll look at it.”
The next race is scheduled for January, 2005.
