MANA — Alma Koetje and Kalen Kaya topped the Garden Island Racing Association two-day Labor Day Drag Races that were held at Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana over the holiday weekend.
Christian Silva, piloting his ‘08 Half Scale Extreme, topped the Junior Dragster class by winning the top spot over two days of racing.
GIRA officials said that in support of efforts to curb the COVID-19 virus, attendees were required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of the event. All current COVID-19 rules and mandates were also followed during the two days of racing.
Additionally, a mobile testing unit was brought to the Kaua‘i Raceway Park for those who needed a test.
Koetje, winning at the August drag races, continued her dominance of the winner’s circle by winning the Muscle V8 class on both days of the Labor Day drags.
On Saturday, Koetje beat out Tyler Clark in the final race with an elapsed time of 12.25, her vehicle topping 111.67 mph on the quarter-mile on a 12.23 dial-in.
With 24 hours to regroup, Koetje topped the Sunday races by beating out Lacin Montemayor, when Montmayor broke out on his 12.63 ET over his 12.65 dial-in. Koetje went on to clock a 12.26 ET, reaching 112.47 mph on a 12.23 dial-in for the win.
Kaya topped the Street Class on two days, topping AJ Basuel on Saturday when Basuel red-lighted, and getting past Jesse Kealoha on Sunday with a 16.20 ET reaching 67.47 on a 16.00 dial-in in his ‘86 Toyota pickup.
GIRA officials said that in compliance with the National Hot Rod Association, Center for Disease Control and state and county guidelines, the organization is taking one race at a time. Future updates will be posted through social media.
Sept 4 Results
• Top Gun: Cy Akaji, ‘68 Chevy Nova, (Elapsed Time) 9.16 seconds, (Speed) 148.78 mph, (Dial-in) not available; Sean Sakai, ‘82 Toyota Corolla, no specs avail; T’Ryane Sakamoto, ‘00 Dragster.
• Pro ET: John Nakashima, ‘14 Chevy Camaro, 10.75, 119.71, 10:50; Kip Furugen, ‘67 Volkswagen, 11.18, 128.72, 10.80; Robert Wheelock.
• Muscle V8: Alma Koetje, (no car info), 12.25, 111.67, 12.23; Tyler Clark (no car info), 12.97, 110,48, 12.85; Lacin Montemayor, ‘87 Chevy S10; Darla Nonaka, ‘01 Chevy Camaro.
• Sport Compact: Joshua Cabral, ‘98 Honda Civic Hatchback, 14.96, 108.43, 12.00; Keanu Dotario, ‘99 Civic, 14.01, 96.73, 13.90 (red light); Brie Saiki, ‘00 Honda Civic; Micah Robley, ‘92 Honda Civic.
• Super Pro: Craig Fujimoto, ‘85 Buick Regal, 10.70, 123.78, 10.69; Lenny Camat (no car info), 9.79, 144.65, 9.84 (break out); Wendall Nonaka, ‘87 Buick Regal.
• Street: Kalen Kaya, ‘86 Toyota pickup, 15.20, 66.97, 16.00; AJ Basuel, ‘97 Honda Civic, 15.11, 86.67, 14.97 (red light); Jase Chikahiro; Courtney Clark.
• Bike ET: Kahale Kaleiohi, ‘90 Kawasaki Ninja 750, 12.28, 106.81, 11.85; Mike Wellman, ‘08 Suzuki GSXR, 18.52, 48.23, 10.30 (red light); Laurence Palmeira, ‘13 Kawasaki ZX.
• Junior Dragster: Christian Silva, ‘08 Half Scale Extreme, 8.99, 75.58, 8.91; Danika Braun, ‘00 Jr. Dragster, 8.11, 80.87, 7.97 (red light); Kasey Carveiro, ‘06 McGee.
Sept. 5 Results
• Top Gun: T’Ryane Sakamoto, ‘00 Dragster, 8.21, 163.45, 7.90; Sean Sakai, ‘82 Toyota Corolla, 20.43, 42.50, 9.20; Bruce/Cy Akaji.
• Pro ET: Ricky Uemura, ‘93 Honda Civic, 10.85, 129.32, 10.80; Gabby Saiki, ‘95 Honda Civic, 11.68, 114.48, 11.40 (red light); Esteve Fernando, ‘89 Toyota truck.
• Muscle V8: Alma Koetje (no car info), 12.26, 112.47, 12.23; Lacin Montemayor, ‘87 Chevy S10, 12.63, 103.07, 12.65 (break out); Darla Nonaka, ‘01 Chevy Camaro.
• Sport Compact: Bugzee Bargayo, (no car info), 13.56, 99.75, 13.45; Keanu Dotario, ‘99 Honda Civic, 14.87, 97.62, 13.90; Brie Saiki, ‘00 Honda Civic.
• Super Pro: Brian Dow, ‘65 Ford Mustang, 9.77, 135.58, 9.80 (break out); Donaven Gomes, ‘80 Dodge, 8.80, 146.08, 8.85 (break out); Calvin Tani.
• Street: Kalen Kaya, ‘86 Toyota pickup, 16.20, 67.47, 16.00; Jesse Kealoha (no car info), 16.52, 85.10, 16.39; AJ Basuel, ‘97 Honda Civic.
• Bike ET: Laurence Palmeira, ‘13 Kawasaki ZX, 10.13, 138.91, 10.10; David Debutiaco (no bikr info), 8.65, 143.62, 8.70 (break out); David Azbil, ‘08 Honda CBR 1000 RR.
• Junior Dragster: Christian Silva, ‘08 Half Scale Extreme, 8.92, 77.37, 8.95; Kasey Carveiro, ‘06 McGee, 7.98, 81.10, 7.96 (red light); Shalia Vierra, ‘14 Half Scale Jr. Dragster.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
