MANA — The Garden Isle Racing Association was recently awarded $1.1 million in state Capital Improvement Project funds to repave and resurface a quarter mile stretch of track, along with replacing damaged cement at the Mana Drag Racing Track.
MANA — The Garden Isle Racing Association was recently awarded $1.1 million in state Capital Improvement Project funds to repave and resurface a quarter mile stretch of track, along with replacing damaged cement at the Mana Drag Racing Track.
The cost is expected to run between $1 million and $1.25 million to complete.
“The track surface at KRP is over thirty years old and has deteriorated to the point of being critical,” said GIRA Treasurer Mary Kealoha in an email.
Kealoha said GIRA budgeted to go “beyond the end of the track,” which runs a quarter of a mile, or 1,320 feet.
The extra area, or “shutdown track,” is the longest in the state, and provides another quarter of a mile to allow racers to safely slow down their vehicles, Kealoha added.
The track is in such bad shape that some have had to go off-island to race their vehicles. Kevin Rapozo shipped his top alcohol dragster to Maui where he was able to “lay down some rubber” and captured the Hawai‘i Drag Racing State Record after realizing the track surface at KRP could not “hold” his car, Kealoha said.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to start May 1. Construction is expected to take 30 days, and then it will take another three weeks for the asphalt to cure before races will again take place in Mana, she said.
Kealoha said GIRA will also provide labor and technical assistance for the project and will install wiring to the complicated timing system used at the facility. GIRA’s goal is to have the track work completed prior to the Rudy Ramos Independence Day Drag Race.
In addition, Kealoha said GIRA is working with DLNR and other project consultants to ensure the track is constructed to NHRA specifications.
The Kaua‘i Raceway Park is located on land leased from the DLNR and relies on volunteer efforts from members and funding from race events.
GIRA recently installed safety fencing, along with a new time slip booth and upgrades to the front gate booth.
GIRA was incorporated in 1999 as a not-for-profit corporation to promote safe motorsports and responsible street driving. The group hosts National Hot Rod Association-sanctioned drag racing at the Kaua‘i Raceway Park in Mana.
The racing group has been known for their generosity as well.
They have also started the “Garden Isle Jr. Dragster’s Academic Excellence Program,” awarding junior dragster drivers who excel academically in school and also award annual scholarships to outstanding students in the automotive program at Kaua‘i Community College. Last year, the automotive scholarship award went to Jonathan Mendoza.
Last year, GIRA also teamed up with the Hawai‘i Food Bank to host the first “GIRA Food Drive,” which brought in 205 pounds of food. The group also hosted a ‘Ladies Night’ event where $2 of every spectator’s gate entry was donated to the YWCA Women’s Shelter, Kealoha said.
• Laurie Cicotello, business writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or business@thegardenisland.com
