The Garden Isle Racing Association and the Garden Isle Jr. Dragsters hosted the first race of the 2017 season Saturday night at the Kauai Raceway Park. Taylor Montemayor, sponsored by Matsuda Bros. Racing, GM Fabrication, Kaya Race Fuels, Altered Image
The Garden Isle Racing Association and the Garden Isle Jr. Dragsters hosted the first race of the 2017 season Saturday night at the Kauai Raceway Park.
Taylor Montemayor, sponsored by Matsuda Bros. Racing, GM Fabrication, Kaya Race Fuels, Altered Image and the Kuhio Auto Group, started with a reaction time of 0.0046 and ran an 8.543 on an 8.51 dial in to reach 73.65 mph to claim top honors in the Junior Dragster class.
Runner-up honors belonged to Sanoe Kaluahine, sponsored by Charles of Mayi, Teddy and Kalani Tom, Dwayne Muffly and the Vierra family, pulled out on a .032 reaction time to run a 7.975 on a 7.9 dial in to reach 82.27 mph.
Christopher Silva, sponsored by RC Fabrication, 420 Air, Don Silva, Ekolu Valpoon, Keola Valpoon, and Keola and Janil Ke, Kauai Vehicle Service Center, and his parents, settled in third place after leaving on a 0.043 reaction time to run a 7.928 on a 7.9 dial in, reaching 83.03 mph. Silva also copped Closest to Dial in honors on his 7.92 run. He also earned Best Reaction honors on his time of 0.001.
Ryant Sakamoto, sponsored by Rapozo’s Auto Body with Philip Rapozo, Rich Rapozo, Brick Oven Pizza, All Kauai Bail Bonds, Pauly’s Mobile Service (P.M.S), Triple T Plumbing, Diamond D Ranch, and Half-Scale Dragsters, Inc., finished fourth after leaving on a .213 reaction time to run an even 9.000 on an 8.91 dial in to reach 73.29 mph.
Top honorees in the Academic Excellence arena belonged to T’Ryane Sakamoto, Ryancie Sakamoto, and Danika Braun.
Ryant Sakamoto, Kaluahine, Montemayor, Silva and Devin Almarza were Academic Excellence honorees.
In the Muscle V8 class, Darla Nonaka left on a .191 reaction time for a 12.240 run to hit 110.39 mph, breaking out on the 12.25 dial in. Top honors went to Esteve Fernando, who is sponsored by Kaya Race Fuels, Uemura Racing and Ef’um Fabrications. Fernando left the line on a .282 reaction time to run 11.622 on an 11.5 dial in and hit 114.5 mph.
Wendall Nonaka redeemed the loss in the Muscle V8 class by taking the Super Pro ET class.
Sponsored by Puhi Industrial Parts and Bearing, Nex Gen Diesel, Dan Suga Construction, Western Motors and Korey Wise, Wendall edged out Donaven Gomes on a .089 reaction time to run a 10.89 on a 10.78 dial in to reach 108.04 mph.
Gomes, sponsored by K&D Services, Rob’s Towing, S&S Speed Shop, K&S Septic Supplies and the Ching Young Village, took off on a .085 reaction time for a 12.396 run on an 11.67 dial in, reaching 83.02 mph.
Pro ET honors belonged to Gary Saiki, sponsored by HDH Production and Pau Hana Tees, who left on a .150 reaction time for an 11.772 run on an 11.38 dial in to reach 107.41 mph. Runner up honors belonged to Scott Williams, who left on a .197 reaction time to run a 12.173 on an 11.48 dial in, reaching 125.17 mph.
Kelsie Iida-Vierra captured the Top Gun class after Russell Izumo broke out on a greater margin.
Iida-Vierra, sponsored by Koloa Fish Market, Tyler Taba, Kevin’s Auto Repair, Sport Craft, Nex Gen Diesel, Mike Olivas and Bruno’s Auto Body, took off on a .064 reaction time to run a 7.932 on her 7.95 dial in to reach 169.32 mph. Izumo, sponsored by Nex Gen Diesel, Bonilla Motorshopts, Vierra Racing and Konohiki Seafoods, left on a .126 reaction time to run an 8.308, breaking out on the 8.34 dial in and reaching 159.07 mph.
Another dual break out gave Aaron Imada top honors in the Sport Compact class over Robby Silva Jr.
Imada, sponsored by Kauai Auto Repair, Imada Racing, FFrontbunch Hawaii and HDH Productions, left on a .033 reaction time to run a 13.010, breaking out on the 13.01 dial in and reaching 101.43 mph. Silva Jr. took off on a .038 reaction time to run a 12.260 over his 12.3 dial in to reach 104 mph.
Mike Wellman captured top honors in the Bike class by edging out Josh Mersberg.
Wellman, sponsored by Suzuki Kauai, took off on a .092 reaction time to run a 10.577 on a 10.2 dial in to reach 117.24 mph over Mersberg who left on a .314 reaction time to run 11.625 on his 11.3 dial in and reaching 120.5 mph.
David Pacanas captured the Street class after Trenton Camat broke out.
Pacanas, sponsored by Chris Tangonan, Kaya Racing Fuels, Uemura Racing, and Ef’um Fabrications, took off on a .114 reaction time to run a 16.451 on a 16.38 dial in and reaching 79.89 mph. Camat left on a .084 reaction time to run a 14.055, a break out on his 14.13 dial in to reach 90.12 mph.
The next Garden Isle Racing Association drag races is scheduled for April 1.
