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H A W A I I‘ S H O T T E S T M O T O R S P O R T S P U B L I C A T I O N
LorettaLynn Kahuku Area
Qualifier
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©taylor vollrath photos
.hawaiimotorhead.com
visit us online @ www
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PARADISE FOUND
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MAUI DRAG RACES
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MILK MONEY
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KALAELOA SAND DRAGS
2 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
PO Box 7077 - Kamuela, HI 96743 www. hawaiimotorhead.com
Publisher / Sales Nelson Ray Parker
P: 808-960-5296 E: nelson@teammotorhead.com
Sales Val Belanio
P: 808-747-9872 E: valeriebelanio@yahoo.com
Sales Michael “Baba” Balbarino
P: 808-854-3258 E: michael@teammotorhead.com
Publisher / Production Monica Parker
Alooooooooooha!
E: monica@teammotorhead.com
Aloha Motorheads! April is a very exciting issue for us here at Hawaii Motorhead Magazine. As promised this month we paddled our boards beyond the shores of the Big Island and bring you motorsport event coverage from around the 50th State and our 9th Hawaiian Island, Las Vegas. In this issue see Motocross action from Oahu’s North Shore at Kahuku with the first ever Hawaii qualifier for the Loretta Lynn Nationals in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Also from Oahu we’ve got the highlights from Kalaeloa Raceway Park with their monthly Sand Drags. From the Garden Isle we bring you the excitement from the Kauai Motocross Riders Association’s March race and from Maui the Valley Isle Timing Association’s NHRA Championship Drag Racing. On the Big Island despite all the soggy weather we still managed to get some SCCA Solo II racing in and we followed the sun to Kailua-Kona to bring you coverage from the Sober Motorcycle Riders “Fire Um’ Up With NO Ice” Car & Bike Show.
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 Locally Owned & Operated Since 2004! visit us online @
Tony Stewart wins his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with his victory at the Kobalt 400 and Vegas’ Misbehavin Motorsports takes a bit of Vegas to Arizona with “Misbehavin’ in the Desert presented by “Lunde’s Peoria Volkswagen” at Speedworld Raceway Park in Wittmann, Arizona and we’ve got your coverage. A Big Mahalo to all the clubs, organizations and photographers who help Motorhead keep you up to speed with everything motorsports around Hawaii and Las Vegas. Enjoy the ride!
.hawaiimotorhead.com
visit us online @ www
.hawaiimotorhead.com
www
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 3
©David Allio Photos
Tony Stewart wins his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at LVMS! On March 11th the three-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart hoisted the big wrench at the “Kobalt Tools 400” with his first career win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Smoke led a race high 127 laps on his way to his 45th career victory breaking a 13 season disappointment streak in the desert. Now Stewart only has Darlington and Kentucky left on his list of tracks he has not found victory at yet. But to his credit Kentucky was only
added last year so he’s only had one shot at a win there. The Vegas win also marks another milestone for Stewart who has earned at least one victory in 14 consecutive seasons! It was sweet redemption for the champ, as he knew he should have won here last year but a penalty on a bad pit stop decision kept him winless at LVMS. He now sits in 7th place in the point standings after the first 3 races of the season. Jimmie Johnson finished the day in second while Dale Earnhardt Jr., who dominated the race early leading the race twice for 70 laps finished in 10th. Mahalo to David Allio for the photographs. Next month look for David’s pix from the NHRA Nationals from the Strip.
d n u o e f s i d a r Pa
4 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
M
arc Tavares of Kailua-Kona found the car of his dreams! A ride he fell in love with a few years back. Since then he’s wanted to build one like it, so you can imagine his surprise when he found himself face to face with the opportunity to add this one to his collection! To make room for the new addition Marc sold two of his other dream toys to bring this show winning ‘62 Notch to Paradise! The now amazing Notch started life as a junk yard find, spending 20 years in a junk yard in Arizona before being rescued and restored by famed KCW, Kustom Coach Werks in Colorado. After the car was sandblasted and every panel smoothed out, the pan was rebuilt and KCW installed the NOS Right Hand Drive Dash they acquired in Australia where they’re known to drive on the wrong side of the road! Every spot weld was drilled out and the new dash welded in for a seamless conversion and filled with NOS equipment including a rare trip speedometer. The ’57 Bug Polar Silver paint was then sprayed and the car was reassembled in KCW fashion! A KCW Type 1 front beam conversion with 3” shortened beam and drop spindles was modified for RHD and fitted with CB Performance disc brakes and a short axel Type 1 tranny with the help of air ride suspension got the Notch down in the weeds. The air ride has since been replaced with short shocks, which still gets her real low. The Rancho built Pro Street trans with Super Diff, Hardened Side Plates, Welded 1st &
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 5
2nd and close ratio 3rd & 4th is mated to the VW Paradise built 100 horse power, balanced and blueprinted 1776. With straight cut gears, ported and polished heads, 120 cam all topped off with a pair of 40 Empi carbs its got plenty of power to get yourself in trouble if you like. When Marc got his hands on the Notch it had polished Fuchs wheels with black trim but Marc wanted the look he had on his former rides so swapped them out for the chrome Porsche Fuchs rims you see here with 185/65’s out back and 155’s up front. The interior is really cool with factory Type II material stitched up by West Coast Classics. The carpet in the engine compartment area is also a real nice touch. Marc thanks his wife Colette for her support of his quest to find his dream car….Paradise found!
6/ Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
The Big Island Chapter of the Sober Riders Motorcycle Club held their second annual “Fire Um’ Up With NO Ice” Car & Bike Show at the Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Kailua-Kona on Saturday, March 24, 2012. A community awareness event for the Hawaii Meth Project, this year’s show featured a great assortment of hot rods, classic cars and trucks, sports cars, Corvettes, Volkswagens, tuners, and lots of motorcycles vying for the Peoples Choice awards in their respective classes. The “Official Car” of the Sober Riders MC was also on hand. A bright yellow and black ’06 Ford Mustang that’s a real showpiece and a great way to share the message that you don’t have to be high to have lots of fun. There were lots of vendors too this year that lined the makai side of the show with everything from custom t-shirts and hats to low rider bicycles. The vendor booths were only $25 for a 10x10 space with monies going to support The Hawaii Meth Project. There was also no shortage of ono food and all kine goodies! There were several live bands including Kevin Haleamau & friends that kept the crowd entertained. The Sober Riders Motorcycle Club puts on
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine /7
two fundraising events each year with the next event scheduled for October, the 2nd Annual “Cruzin With No Boozin” Car & Bike Show to benefit M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) in Kona town. We hope you’ll all come out and support another great community event with another great message. Don’t drink and drive! We’ll keep you posted! For more information on how you can volunteer, get involved or contribute to the Hawaii Meth Project visit www.hawaii.methproject.org.
8/ Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
LorettaLynn Kahuku Area
Qualifier
March 17 & 18, 2012 ©taylor vollrath photos
“O
n March 17th & 18th the Hawaii Motorcross Association presented Hawaii’s first ever Loretta Lynn South West Area Qualifier at their Kahuku motoX track on Oahu. Owned, managed and produced by MX Sports, Inc., the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship slated for August 1 – 6, 2012 at the famed Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee is the most prestigious and worlds leading amateur motocross championship race.
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Since 1982 the National Championship at the ranch of country music legend Loretta Lynn has served as the launch pad of virtually every top American Motocross and Supercross rider including Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Kevin Windham and Ryan Villopoto, who won championships at Loretta Lynn’s before graduating to the professional ranks. In 2008, there were more than 31,000 attempts to qualify in the select 33 classes for the 1,386 available start positions at the national final. The national event, dubbed “The World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation,” is held annually the first full week of August. Riders from every island made their way to Kahuku in hopes of making it into the Top 9 in their class to advance to the “Regional Qualifier” at the Competitive Edge MX Park in Hesperia, California on June 16 and then on to the “Big Show” at Loretta Lynn’s. For a complete listing of qualifiers log on to the Hawaii Motocross Association website @ www.ridehma.com and keep it here for updates on our Hawaii riders heading to the Big Show!
Race Results CLICK HERE
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loha car lovers & race fans! The Big Island Cone Killers are at it again. Last February 26 & March 18, drivers from the Big Island SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) held their 1st & 2nd races of the season. And the first two events were wet & soggy – but not for everyone. At the February event, Toby Olney, in his Ariel Atom, took fastest time of day (raw time) but was dethroned by a white Miata (mine!) using the RTP handicap points system. These runs were made in “dry” conditions – not everyone was so lucky. At the March event, the weather was once again the enemy. Especially for those who ran “street legal” race tires. Roy Whitney, in his Mini Cooper S not only took fastest time of day – FTD - (raw time) but RTP /FTD! Nice! Allen Steuben, in his Lotus Elise, took 2nd (raw time) but was bumped to 5th (RTP) while Margie Oates grabbed 2nd spot (RTP) and managed to beat Mike Oates, her co driver (& hubbie!) Go girl! Take a look at the Points List thus far. Two races down & nine more to come – it’s the best of six(6!) You don’t have to have the fastest vehicle – it’s the driver that counts! Anything can happen. So stay tuned and check the Points List next issue of Hawaii Motorhead. And if you want to join the fun, come check us out! Spectators are free! And you don’t need a “race car” to compete – a daily driver will do. For info contact Brian Dorr – fdorrhi@gmail.com or check out our website at bigislandscca.org! See ya April 29th at the Kart Course in Hilo! Keepin’ it off the streets and takin’ it to the track! F. Brian Dorr BIHRSCCA (And PLEASE, no April showers!)
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NAME CLASS Roy Whitney DS Michael Oates STS Allen Stueben SS Brandon Wilk FSP F. Brian Dorr SSM Margie Oates STS Gary Solmerin CS Rick Bowers SSM Brittni WatanabeHS Mark Pernell GS
Event #1 Event#2 9214 10000 9555 9567 9580 9522 9565 9509 10000 8880 9179 9617 9097 9608 9691 8810 9544 0 9491 0
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
NAME CLASS Event#1 Event#2 Toby Olney AM 9389 0 Kevin Okumura SM 0 9341 Jim Haines STS 8869 0 Guillermo RinconSTC 8645 0 Roger Ventura BSP 0 8598 Luke McKay HS 0 8607 Glenn Swanson HS 8420 0 William MontgomerieHS 8367 0 Bryson Anzai SM 8110 0 Paul Zabel DSP 0 8076
21 22
NAME Kim McKay Sergio Rincon
CLASS Event#1 Event#2 HS 0 7918 HS 7394 0
BigIslandSCCA.org
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Photos & story submitted by Gasto Belanger aka Gasser
Tales of Mauna Kea 200 Trails
feet up theThetallRockskinny Island Riders have been out every weekend, rain or shine cutting through the thick guava waiwi clusters with uluhe fern growing 20’ weak waiwi, and when it rains these big waiwi clumps get heavy and fall across our trails, so like clock work rhythm, all kickstands go down and sharp implements are drawn as we put on our chop-chop-zen trail race faces that speak no words, because we know how to work around eachothers chain saws, and dodging sharp machete Judo chops that turn waiwi trees into Jolly Green Giant toothpicks. Race face Zen focus working silence is now and then broken with funny one liners, followed by lots of laughter, every 1/4 mile or less as we race qualify a 100 miles of challenging endurance trails for Day 1. Today it rained the whole 6 hours we spent qualifying 5 miles of trail, where there was deep water and roots & logs were slippery. We were soaked to the bone the first mile, the last mile everybody was mud coated from passing through the ‘Ponds’ section laced with hidden logs in the ponds and mud bogs…Even us Rock Island Riders get lickens at ponds, today laughter was loud and plenty as we all did some serious tire spinning to make it through this ponds section as two riders did a horizontal parking job in the mud trying to go over a small log…ya, riders, always good laughs good times…that’s what motorcycling is all about, street or dirt. Entry forms can be downloaded at > mk200.com -React faster than slippery roots, Gasser-
14 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
Racingwailua
mx K
KMRA photos
MRA (Kauai Motocross Riders Association) held their 2nd race of the year on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at the Wailua Motocross Track. The weather was great and it made for some great racing. At the Keiki Track it was Cory Goais-Soares taking the win in both of his classes (50A and Keiki Quad) while Aaron Namuo-Silva took first in the 50B and Kaimana Kaui took the 50C race. At the Main Track it was Puna Gallardo placing first in all 3 of his classes (250 expert, 450 expert & Open A). Other notable winners were Teagan Amorin in the 65A, Kory Bunao in the 65B, David Dabin in the 85 class, Kaipo Estrella in the 250 Amateur class, Bryson Yoro in the 450 Amateur class, Kai Haughland in the Big Bike Beginner and Andrew Byrum in the Masters. The Quad class winner was Erwin Santiago. With the beautiful sunny weather, awesome competitive racing, lunch wagon food and ono shave ice what more could you ask for on an action packed Sunday. The next scheduled KMRA motocross race will be on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Wailua Motocross Track so get out and practice and we will see you then. The Kauai Motocross Riders Association would like to invite all the dirt bike riders to come out and ride the Wailua Motocross Track. The Wailua Motocross Track is located just south of the Wailua Golf Course and is open Saturdays, Sundays and all State & County Holidays from 10:00am to 6:00pm, practice fees collected at the gate. For more details on membership, riding fees, safety requirements, etc‌for more info go to the KMRA website: www.808kmra.com
Kauai motocross riders association
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Photos, story & results submitted by Kauai Motocross Riders Association. Mahalo nui!
KMRA Motocross Race | March 25, 2012 | Wailua MX Track 50A 50B 1. Cory Goias-Soares 1. Aaron Namuo-Silva 2. Richard Silliman 2. Pookela Silva 3. Alexander Nelson 3. Talan Goias-Arzadon 50C Keiki Quad 1. Kaimana Kaui 1. Cory Goias-Soares 2. Eddie Silliman 2. Tori Santiago 3. Lachlan Proffitt 3. Kamu Santiago 65A 65B 1. Teagan Amorin 1. Kory Bunao 2. Richard Silliman 3. Tyler Hirakawa 85B 250AM 1. David Dabin 1. Kaipo Estrella 2. Bryzen Cadiz 2. Kyle DuVall 3. Hayden Merkel 3. Kimo Azares 4. Derek Swanson 4. Shawn Taguas 5. Traytin Barretto 5. Ryan Merkel 6. Donovan Gomes 6. Bryson Yoro 7. Talon Jeffries 7. Kai Haughland 8. Jackson Littlefield 250 EXPERT 1. Puna Gallardo 2. Jake Monroe 3. Brian Medeiros
450AM 1. Bryson Yoro 2. Randall Osakoda 3. Darrell Dabin
450 EXPERT BIG BIKE BEGINNER 1. Puna Gallardo 1. Kai Haughland 2. Zack Young 2. Zack Swanson 3. Koa Estrella 3. Dean Silliman 4. Chris Byrum 4. Jesse Jeffries 5. Rodel Domingo VETS 6. Jackson Littlefield 1. Zack Young 7. Bryzen Cadiz 2. Harley Genegabaus 8. Jim Littlefield 3. Randall Osakoda 9. Jesse 10. Maciah Bilodeau MASTERS 11. Mickeymund Jose 1. Andrew Byrum 12. Craig Arzadon 2. Zack Swanson 3. Jeffrey Gallardo QUAD 4. Justin Douglas 1. Irwin Santiago 5. Dean Silliman 2. Paul Medeiros 6. Jim Littlefield 3. Sheldon Garcia 7. Rodel Domingo OPEN A 1. Puna Gallardo 2. Brian Medeiros
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 15
EviL
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twin
i
f the custom plates don’t let off some sort of hint that something’s going with Gordon Fernandez’s 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS, then the crazy sounds of the Evil Twin turbos whistling under the hood will grab you by the horns! With the help of Mike Rogerson of “Thunder Alley Automotive” in Kawaihae, Gordon, an electrical contractor and owner of Amp Electric in Honoka’a on the Big Island started the frame off restoration of the original SS car. After sandblasting and massaging out the body, Thunder Alley sprayed the Custom Candy Maroon over a black base as Gordon didn’t want it to be really bright. The result is awesome! Sometimes the car will look almost black in low light and needless to say it looks stunning in sunlight. The get up and go is provided by a 396 LT4 Twin Turbo that’ll scare the bejeezus out of you, in fact when Mike put the car on the Dyno, it blew the tires off at 702 horse power at 140 mph! So they called it a day! I would too…..and we’ll just take their word that it should be putting out well over 800 ponies! A F.A.S.T. computer system programs the wicked power plant including the
EviL
twin
dual fuel pumps that feed the thirsty monster. A Mike’s Transmission built TH400 with 6 speed Gear Vendor Over Drive is rated at 2000 hp, but makes street driving real nice. The frame, suspension and undercarriage is rolling art with Candy colored Fab 9 rear end that’s been shortened and hangs off a Chris Alston, Chassis Works 4 link in back and Chassis Works tubular A-arms in front while 14” Baer brakes at all 4 corners handle the task of trying to slow the Evil Twins down. Air Ride Technologies set up at all 4’s makes it seem like you’re well, riding on air. Topping off the killer stance is a set of one-off Intro wheels. A stainless steel gas tank, Jet coated exhaust, new lines, hoses and every nut and bolt, trim and rubber piece and bushing on the entire car have been replaced or upgraded. The interior also has its fair share of time and money put into it with Recaro bucket seats up front and reformed rear seats all covered in leather and tucked under the full cage roll bars. A Flaming River tilt column and Billet Specialties steering wheel rest under a host of white-faced gauges to keep track of the twin’s vitals. Mike fabricated the billet center console that houses the power window and air ride switches. A sweet stereo system and air conditioning all add up to a cockpit full of amenities to make even the quick trips from stoplight to stoplight nice and comfy. So the next time you see this EVL2WN coming down the street, don’t mistake it’s good looks for even the slightest bit of weakness!
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 17
18/ Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
Season Opener
©Bruce Wheeler Photos
Maui Raceway Park
BRUCE WHEELER’S
Seventh Wave PhotoGraphics CLICK to see more
T
he Valley Isle Timing Association fired up its
2012 season on March 17 with NHRA Champi onship Drag Racing at Maui Raceway Park in Pu’unene. The gates opened at 1:30pm with test and tune from 2:30 – 4:30 and Pro Class drag racing from 5:30 till pau under the lights at “Hawaii’s Record Breaking Drag Strip.” Famed 1960’s AA/Fuel Dragster car owner Bruce “Wheeler Dealer” Wheeler, one of the original members of 60’s drag racing notorious Capitol Hill Gang who now resides on Maui, spends most of his time behind the camera lens these days and shares some photos with us of this month Season Opener. The second points race of the season is set for April 21st. For more info visit www.mrp.org
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 19
©Bruce Wheeler Photos
FAST GAS 7.90 COMPETITOR CAR # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Jon Shirota 7427 Dragster 8.09 .540 10.604 94.78 Runner Up William Peirman 756P Dragster 9.11 .406 17.981 43.85 SUPER STREET 10.90 COMPETITOR CAR # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Roy Kato 016 Camaro 10.90 .577 10.893 131.59 Runner Up Robert Miskae 007 Mustang 10.90 .625 10.891 122.92 PRO GAS 11.90 COMPETITOR CAR # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER DJ Farias 7101 Nova 11.90 .582 11.908 120.02 Runner Up Mike Manninen 469 Mustang 11.90 .636 11.950 111.38 PRO STREET 12.90 COMPETITOR CAR # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Dustin Solu 420 12.90 .640 12.907 97.45 Runner Up Marjorrie Hunkins 357NM Mustang 12.90 .693 12.925 106.33 SUMMIT SPORTSMAN COMPETITOR CAR # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Carol Kurisu K733 Altima 16.89 .604 16.847 81.94 Runner Up Randy Chapman 0412 Mustang 13.97 .478 14.042 97.59 SATURDAY PRO BIKE COMPETITOR BIKE # ENTRY D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Kenneth Harmon 101 VROD 12.00 .517 12.133 112.14 Runner Up Gabriel Kimbrell 7007 CBR6000 11.01 .603 11.101 123.63 JR. DRAGSTER 8.90 COMPETITOR CAR # D.I. R.T. E.T. MPH WINNER Kylee Yamashita 7114 9.08 .547 9.119 75.28 Runner Up William Sanchez Jr. 7503 7.90 .569 7.971 82.88
20 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
MILK Money
M
ilkman Ben Fronda of Kailua-Kona has been putting in extra hours every chance he could, saving up his “milk money” for a couple of years buying parts and pieces for this wild 2 wheeled hot rod! His vision was for something different from the stretched out and raked bikes that seem to be everywhere. Ben himself had one a few years back. So he decided to find a short frame with the smallest rake and stuff the widest back tire he could in it and do it on a budget! The Ultima frame with a 30 degree rake and 2 inch stretch was the smallest they made, so with that the basis of his new project was underway. Ben built the bike in his garage at home with the exception of the hopped up engine and the Candy paint. Ben fabricated and welded the brake mount, tank mounts & oil bag mounts and stretched the rear fender to fit the Monster 310 tire. “The rear fender used to sit right off the back tire but my wife wanted to ride too so I fabricated another set of fender struts to raise it up a bit, bolted on a pair of foot pegs and got a Phantom Pad suction cup seat for the rear fender. It doesn’t look quite as good as it did with the fender riding just off the tire and I know I’ll never be able to take the pegs off without leaving a mark (as he laughs), but it’s a small sacrifice to be able to see my wife smile when I take her for a ride.” says Ben.
MILK Money A DNA Springer front end with a super nice 52 spoke, 21 inch “Fat Spoke” rim up front and a 10.25X18 bullet rim wrapped in the Monster 310 rubber give this bike the stance Ben was looking for. The Joe Anderson worked 96 cube sounds more like 3 or 4 bikes when Ben fires this thing up. It sure don’t sound like a 96 cube rumbling out of those huge pipes that Ben said he got from his buddy Tate. Joe started with a S&S bottom that now sports Axtell Barrels with JE Pistons and topped with Dave Mackie prepped 4 plug heads. Joe also installed a Leineweber cam with triple springs, Crane Hi-4 ignition, Dyna Coils and fabricated a custom manifold for the hand polished 48 Weber! An Ultima RHD 6 speed trans with Ultima 3.35” open belt drive connect the dots. The sproter set up is a DNA unit as are the brake calipers and rotors. Forward foot controls and upper hand controls are by Jaybrake. Andrew Kuakahela gets the credit for the sweet candy paint. House of Kolors, Candy Brandy Wine with a Silver base that looks great in any light. Ben sends his love and thanks to his wife Liza for her support and also his mom and dad, Blue & Sue Fronda for their love & support. Oh, and Ben wanted to wish his mom a Happy Birthday!
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 21
22 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
3/24/2012 Misbehavin’ in the Desert presented by Lunde’s Peoria VW Article & Photos by Amber Léi, trophy photos by Mark Miller
“J
ust when it seemed like the VW Pro Racing Association (PRA) would have no championship series point races this year for the first time ever since its inception, Misbehavin’ Motorsports’ Jerry Spearn, stepped in and picked up promoting the series for 2012, the PRA’s 25th Anniversary season. Jerry has been racing VWs for over 30 years. With VW’s setting PRA and world records at our 2 previous events, picking up the series after the step down of another promoter was a no-brainer. The first race of the season “Misbehavin’ in the Desert presented by Lunde’s Peoria Volkswagen” on Saturday March 24th, 2012 at Speedworld Raceway Park in Wittmann, Arizona set the stage with perfect weather and perfect track conditions for Kris Lauffer of Paradise Motorsport to beat his personal best and current PRA record with a 7.89 ET in his VW Bug The Hater Maker! To add to the fun, we invited the West Coast Motorcycle Drag Race Association (WMDRA) to race at the event as well. Turbo charged, super charged, and nitro burning drag bikes seemed to be a perfect marriage with the VW’s and was a hit with both the other racers and the spectators. A judged all VW car show put the cherry on top with a nice variety of cars and even a sampling of newer custom VW’s for everyone’s viewing pleasure. There were some difficult choices made by our panel of
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 23
3 judges with so many quality VW’s there! Island Pride and 702 Revolution VW clubs made the trip from Las Vegas with their VW’s to show their much appreciated support for our event, as well as a small group from Lehi, Utah including our “Best of Show” winner Tony Brown, with his beautifully restored 1960 15 Window Bus. Also in attendance the German Toyz and Stragglers VW clubs with no shortage of sweet rides to show off! Misbehavin’ Motorsports is well on our way to a fantastic year with the first successful event under our belts and the “big one” so close on the horizon. You’re not going to want to miss “Misbehavin’ Does Vegas! presented by Findlay North VW” on Saturday May 19th, 2012 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway “The Strip.” We have invited the WMDRA back to play alongside the PRA while the VW car show promises to be huge with continued support from the Las Vegas local VW clubs and beyond!
24 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
Sand Drags Season Opener On March 17th, spectators and competitors enjoyed a night full of drag racing excitement as Kalaeloa Raceway Park hosted its first night time race of the 2012 season. The event kicked off at 1PM with competitor registration and time trials shortly followed. Since it was a bracket racing night, competitors were given several runs to establish their dial-in times in preparation for the start of the elimination rounds. A heart-stopping crash occurred early in the day when the Lethal Injection dragster crashed into the tire-wall due to a stuck throttle. Thanks to his safety equipment, a relieved crowd was able to watch the Courtney Paulos walk away with only a few bumps and bruises and ready to fight another day. As night arrived a special remembrance was held in honor of Carol Aiwohi along with our usual track blessing by Granny Grace. After the playing of the National Anthem, the crowd cheered as some of our youngest participants, such as Evan Brown & Aubree Aiwohi rocketed down the track. Following the opening, Bracket 1 got down to business with Unlimited dragsters and sand buggies throwing sand 20 feet into the air. The competitors were some of the best sand drag racers on Oahu, featuring Paul Giovanetti, Junior Alimoot, Turbo Ferreira, Derek Barboza, Les Souza Jr., and Timmy “Pacman� Travaso. It was a mad dash to the finish with Koa Grace taking the win against Lance Kaaina with Ashley Brown placing third. Bracket 2 & 3 featured our regular bunch of V8 and modified V6 crowd pleasers...lining up a good mix of diesels, trucks, and jeeps. The Bracket 2 winner was Deriek Quismorio, a veteran sand dragger, who took out Manuel Moisa Jr in his 1970 Jeepster with Obsession driven by Mike Souza taking third place.
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 25
After a hard fight, one of our biggest supporters, Buddy Kupau took home the very Bracket 3 top prize after eliminating Jerry Stothers in his 2000 Ford F350. Lindsey Stothers took home the purse for third driving his 2008 Toyota Tacoma. After a heated battle amongst the quads and bikes, Larry Wilderman, taking the reins from his son, Chad, brought home the purse for 1st place. Henry Malle Jr took 2nd with his 2006 Honda CR250 while Alvin Domingo scored third with his Kawasaki KX 250CC. All in all, it was a fantastic night of racing and entertainment. We’d like to thank our sponsors for their continued support as well as our competitors and spectators for making this event a success! Come on out to our first HulaCross race of the season on April 14th, 2012. For information on this and future events, please check out www.krphawaii.com or call (808) 7827432. You can also find us on Facebook & Twitter under Kalaeloa Raceway Park. Race results on page 26. Photos & story submitted by KRP.
click for more info
26 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / April 2012
Bracket 1: 0 - 4.4 Seconds 1. Koa Grace 2. Lance Kaaina 3. Ashley Brown Bracket 2: 4.5 - 5.4 Seconds 1. Deriek Quismorio 2. Manual Moisa Jr. 3. Mike Souza Bracket 3: 5.5 - Up Seconds 1. Buddy Kupau 2. Jerry Stothers 3. Lyndsey Stothers Bracket 4: Quads & Bikes 1. Larry Wilderman 2. Henry Malle Jr 3. Alvin Domingo
WINNERS CIRCLE
Sand Drag Winners March 17th, 2012
April 2012 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 27
24 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / February 2012