Fourteen feet was the margin of victory for Karl Nakamura in the first Diesel Truck Shoot-Out at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park. Sponsored by R.S. Weir Contracting, Auto Stylin’ & Performance, and the Garden Island Racing Association, the main attraction of
Fourteen feet was the margin of victory for Karl Nakamura in the first Diesel Truck Shoot-Out at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park.
Sponsored by R.S. Weir Contracting, Auto Stylin’ & Performance, and the Garden Island Racing Association, the main attraction of the Saturday night event was the battle between the brawny trucks, states a press release from the GIRA.
Randy Weir was rumored to have the fastest truck, but broke on the line during the timed trials to open the door to a sense of hope and anticipation for the night races.
L.J. Yadao, driving a 2006 Dodge 2500, picked up the purse for the fastest truck on a low ET of 14.12 at 96.77 mph.
But he was bested by Kerri Villa, normally driving her El Camino, in a 2008 Dodge 2500 in the first round of bracket elminations.
Climbing the elimination tree, Nakamura, in a Ford F250 Power Stroke, met Nakashima in the finals.
Nakamura, in a Dodge 2005 Quad Cab, cut a quick 0.556 reaction time at the light, running a 17.57 ET on a 17.40 dial-in for the win at 77.32 mph.
Nakashima, in the effort, posted a 0.782 reaction time at the light, running a 15.27 ET on a 15.20 dial-in, reaching 90.18 mph.
Zailea Lawrence-White picked up her first win in the Junior Dragster division by nosing out last month’s winner, Donaven Gomes. Gabrielle “Gabby” Buist made her first appearance in the kids’ arena.
Steve Lewis, finishing second in last month’s races, met up with Colten Yamase in the finals of the cycle class.
With the pair of 2007 Suzukis poised at the line, Lewis cut a 0.617 reaction time, running a 10.50 ET on a 10.39 dial-in, reaching 132.32 mph.
Yamase posted a 0.866 reaction time, running a 10.47 ET on a 10.00 dial-in, reaching 134.72 mph.
Zach Barros, the son of GIRA president Bobby Barros, was in only his second racing event, but steadily climbed the ladder in the Street Class, reaching the finals against Kainoa Raposas.
But the night took its toll as Barros, aboard a 1985 El Camino, jumped the light to give Raposas the automatic win.
Raposas, driving a 1999 Lexus, cut a 0.630 reaction time at the light, running a 16.82 ET on a 16.55 dial-in at 85.71 mph.
Ricky Uemura and Robby Silva both broke out in the finals of the Sport Compact class.
But Uemura, aboard a 1993 Honda Civic, broke out the least, claiming a 0.634 reaction time at the light, clocking an 11.86 ET on a 11.90 dial-in at 113.07 mph.
Silva, driving a 1991 Honda CRX, cut a 0.619 light, running 12.49 on a 12.60 dial-in at 105.88 mph.
Multi-winner Sheldon Costa, driving a 1988 Toyota pickup, claimed the win in the Muscle V8 class after Jon Nakamura in a 1989 Pontiac Firebird, red lighted.
Costa ran on a near-perfect 0.502 reaction time at the light, running an 11-68 ET on a 11.55 dial-in at 112.78 mph.
Solid 10.50 runs was the key to success for Marc Perales who advanced through the Pro ET class.
Against Doug Gould’s 1967 Camaro, Perales advanced to the trophy on a 0.556 reaction time at the light, running a 10.58 ET on a 10.50 dial-in at 126.05 mph.
Sam Fernandez finished second in the class in a 1979 Opal, cutting a 0.647 reaction time at the light, running a 10.60 ET on a 10.50 dial-in at 127.48 mph.
Bill Turk’s 1972 Vega posted a win in the Top Gun class after John Ishibashi broke out on a 9.16 run on a 9.22 dial-in at 148.03 mph. Turk posted a 0.537 reaction time, running a 9.43 ET on a 9:40 dial-in at 144.69 mph.
The GIRA hosts the next event on Sept. 5 and 6. For more news, schedules and times, visit the GIRA Web site at www.dragracekauai.com, or call Bobby Barros at 635-6034.
