D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0
ISLANDWIDE CIRCULATION
ALWAYS FREE!
flyin’ fish MOPAR
MUSCLE
Pages 8 & 9
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6
808 MOTOCROSS
10
SCCA NOTES
12
LUCKY DUCATI
14
TRANS TIPS
2 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
a little sideways! PO Box 7077 - Kamuela, HI 96743 www. hawaiimotorhead.com
Publisher / Sales Nelson Ray Parker
P: 808-960-5296 E: nelson@teammotorhead.com
Sales Manager / Marketing Jim Wulzen Throwin’ dirt at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway! On November 6, 2010 the Off Road Course at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway played host to Round 13 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. Matt Loiodice (20) goes up on two wheels in the final turn of the Unlimited Lite’s. Loiodice managed to save the truck and continued in the race. Part time Hawaiian and Official Photographer of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, David Allio captures all the action as Leroy Loerwald (8) and Sean Geiser bump during the Unlimited Lite feature and Rodrigo Ampudia (36) tangles with Rob Naughton (54) during the Pro 2 feature. Check out complete event coverage of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series at www.davidallio.com. Mahalo David!
P: 808-937-5923 E: jim@teammotorhead.com
Publisher / Production Monica Parker
E: monica@teammotorhead.com or editor@teammotorhead.com
Design / Production Makana Parker
E: makana@teammotorhead.com or info@teammotorhead.com
Senior MX Photographer
Jock Goodman 808-885-8099 jockshotshots.com jockg@hawaii.rr.com
Drag Race Photos Jim Riddiford 808-217-9289
MerryChristmas! “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” We’d like to say a BIG Mahalo to all of our loyal readers, our wonderful advertisers, our family, our friends and the people of the Big Island for sharing their incredible rides with us this year and for supporting Hawaii Motorhead Magazine. We appreciate your business, your trust and your friendship. We wish you all the happiest of holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year! Safe journeys and enjoy the ride!
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2011 Mauna Kea 200 Update
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 3
Submitted by Gaston Belanger
MAUNA KEA 200
World Class Trail Making Crew Gaston Belanger Photo
Shootzzzzzzzzzz it was a tariffffffffffffic Hawaii day, electric blue sky with early morning sun light beaming zebra stripe patterns on the tarmac through the gaps in the Ohia trees as four cylinders banged from hydrogen made in a five gallon bucket in the bed of my high mileage Isuzu pick up, heading 9 miles up Steinbeck to the ATV/MC park.... trail qualifying crew Headquarters of the Rock Island Riders. Nineteen riders showed up Sunday, sharpened up ready to machete and chainsaw qualify the beginning of the 2011 Mauna Kea 200 trails in the Upper Waiakea Uka Rain Forest area. New sections are being Google Earth & GPS laid out for the trail crew to creatively carve them into world class enduro trails, where technique and skill rules over being Moto Cross fast, like the faster than the crash riders, Ian Robledo, Joshua Lau, Erickson Hinano, to perform their lightning fast magic on these trails, Ian is the guy to pass in the forest for the win. We got lot’s of work done in a short time but still have to qualify 90 more handle bar wide miles in the electric green forest. Ed Ung’s “Bump and Swamp” trail section is next Sundays carving challenge. Also, Wayne, Dennis & Ed went into the DNLR war room last week expecting to get ‘nuked out ‘ to get the necessary permits but DNLR had a change of heart handing a peace olive leaf to the Rock Island Riders...If it were not for the smart logical persistence of these motorcycle riders, the event would have succumbed to a no racing policy bureaucratic boondoggle...thank’em next time you see’em. For more information, photos, schedules and much more on Hawaii’s premier motorcycle and ATV race, visit us online at www.MK200.com. Mauna Kea 200, You Tuff Enuff?
4 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
I hate to say it, but our November race was a rain out. Just too much rain to safely run a race. Most of the time we can just put on our rain tires and go have some fun racing in the rain, but there was just too much water on the track. this time Sunday’s test and tune turned out to be a good day for just having fun and going fast. Our January races will be on the 15th.-16th, Saturday & Sunday. Check out page 5 for the rest of the 2011 race schedule. For more information please call Tom Sluder at 808-939-9746.
Terry Powell Photo
www.bigislandkartclub.com
2011 RACE DATES
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 5
Big Island Kart Track Saturdays & Sundays
Hilo Drag Strip January 15-16 February 5-6 March 5-6 April 2-3 May 7-8 June 4-5 July 9-10 August 13-14 September 10-11 October 1-2 November 12-13 December 10-11
Join us for great family fun next season! Visit our website www.BigIslandKartClub.com for club information, karting news, photos, videos, race schedule, karts for sale & MUCH, much more!
www.bigislandkartclub.com
6 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
Big Island
MOTOCROSS racing The 808 MX/ATV Association held its 9th keiki and adult dirtbike/atv points season race on Saturday, November 13
at the Hilo Motorcross track. The last points race of the year is scheduled for Saturday, December 4th, with our end of the year banquet to be held on Sunday, December 5th. Contact Crystal for more info on races, banquet and daily practice ride days. Submitted by Crystal Mukai
Sandy Shope Photos
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 7
November Race Results 125cc-250cc Novice 1st Reese Mills-Richardson #231 2nd Jared Maddox #127 3rd Randy Johnson #90
Dirtbike Vet Class 1st Erik Platt #431 2nd Vernon DeMello #36 3rd Todd Gregory #69
Schoolboy Dirtbike 1st Kai Mukai #83 2nd Keegan Whaley #120 3rd Colby Coghill #317
125cc-250cc Amateur 1st Colby Coghill #317 2nd Erick Platt #431 3rd Justin Love-Tice
85cc Dirtbike 9-11yrs 1st Ryan Kunishge #8 2nd Kaiea Iopa-Kenui #414
50cc Dirtbike Open 1st Skyler Joyce #277
125cc-250cc Expert 1st Keegan Whaley 2nd Kai Mukai #83 50cc Quad Stock 4-6yrs 1st Jayden Sanborn #67 2nd Anthony Wuestefeld #415 Quad Masters 1st Kevin Gardner #11 2nd Jake Kron #9 3rd Jason Thurber #221 90cc Quad Stock 7-12yrs 1st Chansen McAllister #214 2nd Jadie Sanborn #57 3rd Jayla Costa #55 65cc Dirtbike 7-9yrs 1st Chase Shope #3 2nd Jack Platt #432 3rd Makoa Shope #4
Supermini Dirtbike 1st Kai Mukai #83 2nd Reese Mills-Richardson #231 3rd Rondon DeMello #36 Quad A 1st Jake Kron #9 2nd Jason Thurber #221 3rd Clarence Pila #22 Dirtbike Vintage 1st Phil Oveland #X 2nd Chris Byrum #X 3rd Justin Love-Tice #177
50cc Dirtbike Mod 1st Jack Platt #432 2nd Mason Kron #12 50cc Quad Mod-6yrs 1st Anthony Wuestefeld #415 2nd Jayden Sanborn #67 90cc Quad Open/Mod 1st Ashtin Paahana #010 250cc-450cc Novice 1st Logan Gregory #69 250cc-450cc Amateur 1st Vernon DeMello #36
50cc PeeWee 4-6yrs 1st Jayden Sanborn #67 2nd Skyler Joyce #277
250cc-450cc Expert 1st Chris Bynum #947 2nd Keegan Whaley #120
65cc Dirtbike Open 1st Jack Platt #432 2nd Chazdon Kenui #666
85cc Dirtbike 12-16yrs 1st Colby Coghill #317 2nd Reese Mills-Richardson #231 3rd Rondon DeMello #36
Dirtbike Open 1st Kai Mukai #83 2nd Preston Cawagas #30
flyin’fish
8 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / November 2010
MOPAR
MUSCLE
As far as Denny Duquet, owner of Island Performance & Offroad in Kona is concerned….. it’s “Mopar or No Car!” With more than a handful of Mopars already in his stable of on & off road rides, Denny always keeps his eyes out for rides like this 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula “S” 340, 4 speed car he acquired in 2005. Re-born into a Super Stock race car in 1974 this wheel standing Cuda toured the West Coast eating up all that got in its way. The all steel body is fitted with a 1 piece fiberglass front end and coated with Plum Purple paint and contrasting realistic fire over the cool front body lines. Under the glass front resides a 500 cubic inch Wedge Chrysler big block with a 4.5 stroker steel crank, 8.5 to 1 Aries Pistons, 760 Roller Cam and topped with Edelbrock Victor Heads and an 871 BDS Blower with twin 950 Pro Comp carbs. Spark comes via MSD and NOS is at your finger tips if you need a real rush. Old Skool also means “No Box” (no electronic delay box) so it’s all driver! One of the reasons Denny purchased the Super Stock was because it was a nostalgic 4 speed car. “Real race cars have 3 pedals” says Denny as he shows us the “In Memory of Ronnie Sox” sticker on the rear firewall. Ronnie, a 5 time World Champion and a member of 8 Drag Racing Halls of Fame and most recently honored by National Dragster Magazines as a Top 10 Pro Driver of the Century was well known for his 4 speed driving skills. With a huge smile Denny tells us about the Jeffco 4 speed clutchless transmission he loves bangin’ on and with the stock front and rear suspension including OG Cal Trac mono leaf springs and Cal Trac traction bars the car is a real gas to drive! With 1.21 60 foot times, this fish leaves fast and hard as you can tell by the way it stands on the wheelie bars. Denny has broken more than his fair share of Dana 60’s but says “I could put an automatic and a 4 link but it wouldn’t be the same. Just ask anyone who races nostalgia race cars and they all tell you the same thing.” The Dana 60 is packed with 4:30 ring & pinion and 40 spline Strange axels. Denny’s best ¼ mile time of 9.18 et at 147mph is nothing to sneeze at and with the under driven blower set up on low boost there is lots more potential for this mighty Mopar.
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 9
10 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
Halloween Solo Autocross Event, Sunday, October 31, 2010 The SCCA Solo II autocross event was a happy Halloween event considering the ghosts, goblins, and ghouls were out in full force. They did affect the timing system set up, but the problems were solved by our very dedicated workers and the event had some great competition as we head into the finish of the Solo II year-end points championship. While the workers were completing the timing system set up, the drivers meeting was held near the track and all the competitors walked the track to see where the autocross course was headed. All the drivers, the track layout designers, and the safety steward circulated the course so the drivers could learn the course and pick their best competitive lines. Picking the best line through the course is crucial to getting fastest time through the timing points. Before the start of competition kick off. The competitors registered and then went through technical inspection to check each of the cars for safety items. SCCA is always trying to keep the autocross competition safe and fun for all the driver and spectators, so the inspection process in always important before competition begins. The first cars out to compete individually were the Heat 1 competitors consisting of Rick Bowers (Mazda Miata), Brandon Wilk (Ford Ranger), Kevin Okumura (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO), Glenn Swanson (Porsche 944), Paul Zabel (Alfa Romeo GTV6), Mark Pernell (Alfa Romeo GTV), Michael Oates (Mazda Miata). Competition was fierce in the first heat, but the 4-wheel drive Mitsubishi EVO of Kevin Okumura posted the top time for this heat at 1:16.790 which was very good time considering the length of the course and some very tight turns. Rick Bowers Mazda Miata followed close behind with a 1:17.267 time and Michael Oates with a 1:19.040. Paul Zabel’s Alfa GTV6 posted a 1:26.220 right behind Michael and just ahead of Glenn Swanson’s 1:26.940 time in the Porsche 944. At the end of Heat 1, everyone took a lunch break and afterwords the drivers from Heat 1 became the workers for the corner Flag Stations, the Grid, and the Starter. The Heat 2 competitors were Margie Oates (Mazda Miata), Brandon Wilk (this time in the VW Jetta
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 11
TDI), Nickolas Buscher (Ford Ranger), Brian Dorr (Mazda Miata), Steve Royston (Mazda Miata), Brittni Watanabe (Toyota Tercel Turbo), and Roger Ventura (Honda Civic). The second heat was even more fierce than the first heat with Brian Dorr in his modified Mazda Miata posting the top time for the second heat group at 1:15.099, with Brandon Wilk posting 1:19.045 in the VW Jetta TDI right behind him. Nicholas Buscher posted a time of 1:19.989 followed closely by Steve Royston’s 1:21.120. Brian Dorr in his modified Mazda Miata learned he posted the top time for the day for this road course. Congratulations goes to Brian and all the competitors for some excellent competition. This event is the next to last championship autocross event and the championship will be determined at the next Solo II event on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Paul Zabel, Big Island of Hawaii Region | Photos by Margie Oates and Lauryn Toki
12 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
Ducati LUCKY
Photos & story by Jim Wulzen
W
ell I guess you could call Tatsu Heath lucky, first of all he lives in Kona Hawaii, second he owns a 1987 Ducati F1 750 LagunaSeca (one of the rarestmotorcycles in the world) third, he gets to ride it any time he wants! Tatsu set out 10 years ago to find one, ending up in England and owned by privateer racer and collector Alan Heath (no relation) and it was for sale! Alan’s family was growing and the wife said it was time to downsize the collection. After much haggling the price was settled and the mission to get the bike into the U.S. began. It took over a year to go through the red tape, customs and many headaches to get the bike here, but as Tatsu says, it was worth it. The bike is as
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine /13
original as you can get, down to the last bolt, it’s perfect. Like all Italian bikes the finish is superb, hand crafted by motorcycle artisans in Italy. Only 200 were made in 1987 and his was a perfect one. Alan had Baines Racing of England take care of the tuning and maintenance chores and it’s fully documented. The bike got its name “LagunaSeca” because 500 cc world champ Marco “lucky’ Lucchinelli success in the battle of the twins at lagunaSeca in 1986, this prompted Ducati to name a next series of limited 750 F1’s, LagunaSeca’s. The bodywork is a combination of fiberglass and aluminum alloy, seat and fairing in fiberglass and the tank in aluminum all hand crafted. At the rear of the engine is a crankcase breather with a hose leading to a neat hand made catch container made from aluminum. The frame is chrome molly thin wall tubing with the “trellis design”, very strong and light. Front forks are Marzocchi telescopic, and the rear is a mono shock made by “White Power” in Germany. A Verlicchi alloy swingarm completes the rear. The wheels are 16” forged alloy with a 130/60VR16 on the front and a 160/60VR16 rear both Michelin race tires. The engine is where all the neat stuff is, it’s a 2 valve head (very large valves) and the valve train is pure Ducati Desmo, Fabio Taglioni was the father of the Desmodromic system, the cams are bevel drive. The carbs are 40 MM Delortos. The bore and stroke is 88mm by 61.5mm, and loves to rev, compression ratio is 10.3 to 1 and the rear wheel H/P is 87 H/Pat 9000 rpm, not bad for a 750 cc bike that’s over 23 years old. It has a 5 speed trans (one down and 4 up) shifts on the left side. The brakes are Brembo “gold series” 4 piston racing calipers and the twin rotors up front are 280mm and the rear is 260mm. It has a battery ignition (12V) and an electric starter! It’s street legal. This is a really fine motorcycle and fun to ride, and very reliable. Hats off to Tatsu! Photos and story by Jim Wulzen
14 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010
Hydraulic Clutch Release Mechanism Service Hydraulic clutch release mechanism problems are usually caused by fluid leakage. The rubber cups inside the cylinders can wear and begin to leak. After enough fluid loss, the reservoir can empty and the clutch will not release. The clutch pedal will have excessive free play and loss of pressure. If leakage is indicated, inspect the system carefully. Look behind the master cylinder and at the end of the slave cylinder. If leaks are found, replace or repair the components as needed. After reassembly, the hydraulic clutch will require bleeding (removal of air from inside the system). Air is compressible and will cause the clutch pedal to be very soft and spongy. Use a pressure bleeder or manually pump the clutch pedal to force fluid and any air out of the system. A bleeder screw is normally located on the slave cylinder. When the system is pressurized, open the bleeder screw to allow fluid and air to flow from the system. Repeat the step until all air bubbles stop flowing out and you only get clear hydraulic fluid. This should purge all air from the lines and cylinders. Install only the recommended type of fluid in a hydraulic clutch system. Oil and degreasers must never enter the hydraulic system. These substances will cause the rubber cups and seals to swell and deteriorate. Should you have any questions regarding clutch master and slave cylinders or any transmission related issues please call or visit Transmission Technology for a FREE road test and fluid check, in Hilo behind Dukes Kilauea Shell Gas Station call 935-1600 or In Kona behind Big Island Auto Parts next to Daleco Batteries and Radiators call 331-8310. On behalf of the entire Transmission Technology Team and from my ohana, we would like to wish you and your ohana a wonderful, warm Merry Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year. Respectfully, Vic Comesario
December 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 15
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16 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / December 2010