October 2010

Page 1

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0

ISLANDWIDE CIRCULATION

ALWAYS FREE!

y a d r o b la DRAGS!

Pages 4 & 5 Jim Riddiford Racing Photos

.hawaiimotorhead.com

visit us online @ www

6

ROD OF THE MONTH

8

STOCK CAR RACES

12

BIKE OF THE MONTH

21

WIN FREE GROCERIES


2 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

VEGAS BABY!

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway played host to the Smith’s Food and Drug Stores 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Saturday, September 25th. Hawaii’s David Allio captured these great pix of Austin Dillon (3) in the Richard Childress Racing RCR Chevrolet Silverado leading the field under the green flag at the start. Jeffrey Earnhardt (47) in his Chevrolet Silverado and Narain Karthikeyan (60) in the Wyler Toyota Tundra spin in turn two and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Todd Bodine (30) piloting the Germain Toyota Tundra on his way to a fourth place finish while Austin Dillon (3) of Richard Childress Racing RCR Chevrolet Silverado team celebrates in Victory Lane after the win.Las Vegas headliner Holly Madison was the Grand Marshal.

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 P: 808-937-5923 E: jim@teammotorhead.com

Publisher / Production Monica Parker

Visit DavidAllio.com for more racing action from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Strip at LVMS.

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

Locally Owned & Operated Since 2004! visit us online @

.hawaiimotorhead.com

www

Well you know the Holidays are right around the corner when you start seeing Halloween decorations and stuff out at the local malls! And, this Holiday season Motorhead Magazine is giving away Free Groceries just in time for those family get-togethers. The Free Groceries giveaway culminates on Thanksgiving Day with a $500 Groceries Gift Certificate. Then we’ll start helping you pay for Holidays in December as we start giving away cold hard “Cash” every Friday! See page 21 for all the details on how to win with our Free Groceries giveaway and stay tuned for the chance to win your share of thousands in Cash as we say Mahalo for reading Hawaii Motorhead Magazine with more great giveaways!

.hawaiimotorhead.com

visit us online @ www


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 3

CLUNKERS TO CLASSICS IN KA’U On Saturday, October 23, 2010 Ocean View Auto Parts presents the 1st Annual Ka’u “Clunkers to Classics” Car Show from 11am to 2pm at the newly opened Ocean View Auto Parts store! There will be a category for Clunkers (Still going!) and Classics (Don’t touch!) for all cars and trucks from 1930 through 1985. What I can’t wait to see is the Engine Elimination Competition between Ford and Chevrolet! This is where they drain the oil from these two cars and fire um up! The last one to Blow Up Wins! And the person who guesses closest to how long it takes to blow up will win a $100 gift certificate! That’s going to be a blast. There’s also going to be food, raffles, trophies, music and a live broadcast on KAHU 91.7 FM. It’s a whole lot of fun for a great cause as the entire community comes together with this cool event as a fundraiser for Na’alehu School. A Big Mahalo goes out to sponsors O Ka’u Kokua, Kahuku Country Market, Aloha Dreams Computers, Autotech, Malama Market, Island Market, Interstate Batteries, Aloha Theater Café, Pahala Plantation Cottages, Hana Hou Restaurant, Oven Treats Bakery, Ka’u Calendar, Kahala Gas Ocean View, South Point U-Cart, Ka’u Water Delivery, Arrow Hawaiian Aggregate & Soil, Built to Last Plumbing, Hawaii Motorhead Magazine, Ocean View Salon & Christie’s Nails, The Land Office LLC, Ka’u Auto Repair, Punalu’u Bake Shop and the Kahuku Gift & Garden Shop. So come and bring the whole family to this awesome event and check out all the sweet rides, the great entertainment, prizes, food and the Ford vs. Chevy Engine Elimination Competition. You could be the big winner! For more information or to register give Ocean View Auto Parts a holler at 939-8500 and we’ll see you at the 1st Annual Ka’u “Clunkers to Classics” Car Show, Saturday, October 23rd from 11am to 2pm at Ocean View Auto Parts!


4 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

Jim Riddiford Racing Photos 808-217-9289

y a d r o b la DRAGS!

It’s the biggest race of the year for the Big Island Auto Club and this past September’s 4th and 5th Labor Day Weekend proved the same. With the exception of rain showers that ended racing early on both Saturday and Sunday, Labor Day Drags 2010 is now in the history books! Saturday’s Pro Gas program was hot and fast with awesome wheel stands and fast ET’s. One of the highlights of the day was in the 8.90 Pro Gas final where Ralph Kawagoe of Hilo in his Camaro ran an 8.99 sec/148 mph pass to top Runner-up David Francis of Paauilo in his Camaro who clicked off a faster 8.93 sec/154 mph pass by winning on a hole-shot! The Door Slammer Handicap Race was also won on a hole-shot as winner Jeff Hall of Waimea in his Nova ran a 9.86 sec/139 mph as Runner-up--Ralph Kawagoe of Hilo in his Camaro ran a 8.92 saec/149 mph. Lance Wilson in his turbo GTO, Cactus Jack got the honors of fastest on the track with a 7.39 sec/185mph pass! The next race will be the season points finals set for 10/9 & 10/10. Be there!


BIAC LABOR DAY RACE RESULTS Pro-Gas program: 7.90 index exhibition--Ashley Shiroma (Pearl City) in a digger. 8.90 index winner--Ralph Kawagoe (Hilo) in a camaro (8.99 sec/148 mph). Runner-up--David Francis (Paauilo) in a camaro (8.93 sec/154 mph). Kawagoe wins on a hole shot. 9.90 index winner--Donnley Koga (Kurtistown) in a camaro (9.91 sec/141 mph). Runner-up--Jeff Hall (Waimea) in a nova (9.96 sec/125 mph). 10.90 index winner--Chad Fiesta (Pepeekeo) in a nova (10.95 sec/131 mph). Runner-up--Kaika DePonte (Keaau) in a roadster (11.08 sec/130 mph). 11.90 index winner--David Crowl (Keaau) in a nova (11.93 sec/114 mph). Runner-up--Tim Machado (Hilo) in a camaro (11.98 sec/118 mph). 12.90 index winner--Thomas Hada (Hilo) in a camaro (12.99 sec/101 mph). Runner-up--Branson Tabios (Kaneohe) in a mustang (no time--red lighted). Pro-Gas Motorcycle winner--James Kamanu (Hilo) on a suzuki (10.65 sec/120 mph). Runner-up--Sheldon Asejo (Hilo) on a suzuki (10.79 sec/121 mph). Junior Dragsters pro-gas event--The race was not completed because of rain. Brandee Chinen (Keaau) and Kaike DePonte were tied when the race was called. Door Slammer Heads Up Race winner--Lance Wilson (Hilo) in a GTO (7.49 sec/187 mph). Runner-up--Kent Yoneda (Hilo) in a camaro (7.90 sec/167 mph). Door Slammer Handicap Race winner--Jeff Hall (Waimea) in a nova (9.86 sec/139 mph). Runner-up--Ralph Kawagoe (Hilo) in a camaro (8.92 saec/149 mph). Hall wins on a hole shot. Super Bracket competition was called late on Sunday because of rain. Fastest car on the track--Lance Wilson (Hilo) in a GTO (7.39 sec/185 mph). Next race: 9/10 October at the Hilo Drag Strip. Submitted by Russ Roberts.

October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 5


6 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

Ultimate

street

Fighter Harry Castro, a.k.a. “Mr. Hemi”, owner of Precision Auto Glass in Hilo has been working on this 1968 Dodge Dart since finding it in the mud and weeds in Waimea back in 2001. Everyone including himself asked the question, “what are you gonna do with it?” Well here’s your answer! There have been more than a few changes in the equipment and paint scheme since Harry started the project. “It was to resemble a fighter jet” says Harry. “I wanted a real street machine that I could drive daily. The paint was to include air brushed rivets to resemble a fighter jets body.” But as time went on Harry opted to ditch the fighter jet theme and go for a muscle car look. Check out the Machine Gun Bullets painted on the Blower belt by Dan D’s Designs, the only remaining evidence of the fighter jet paint scheme. What didn’t change were the plans to stuff a 426 Blown Hemi in an original Hemi K-Member. Check out the “Notice” sticker on the dash that came out on original Hemi Darts in 1968! Nuts huh? Harry ordered the Mopar Crate Motor and commissioned Jim Myers Racing to build the street monster that’s topped with a BDS 871 satin finish huffer, Demon Carbs and a 500 shot of NOS for a mind bending, tire smoking 1000 plus horse power at the rear wheels! The custom scoop was fabricated at “Big Daddy” Don Garlet’s performance in New Zealand. The tranny is a fully worked 727 by John Cope of Cope Racing Transmission’s in Lowell, Indiana who only builds Mopar transmissions. Like every-


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 7 thing else on the Dart the transmission features the best of everything including Kevlar clutches and a custom 3500 stall. The rear end is a super tough Dana S60 unit and is hung with a wishbone suspension with 4 link, coilovers and anti sway bars to make sure the street fighter stays firmly planted to the pavement even in the turns. Steve Medeiros welded the Chassis Works frame and roll cage together and custom Wilwood disc brakes at all 4 corners wrap up the stop and go department. Maxi Parong stripped the beat and worn body down to bare metal then proceeded to replace the quarter panels while Harry Jr. and Shane Okano replaced the floors and tubbed the rear for the mega rubber. Harry had purchased fiberglass front fenders, hood, doors and trunk deck lid but this changed as well as Harry decided to use metal units instead with the exception of the fiberglass trunk lid. And yes that’s how they fit back in 1968. Shane and Jr. also get credit for the custom rolled and smoothed metal dash with 2006 Mopar gauges while Keldon Yagin gets the nod for spraying the Silver base, clear coat, red stripes and interior. A little fortune was spent with Chrome Masters in Nashville Tennessee to re-chrome the bumpers, grill, trim panels and center console most of which you can’t get any more. Finally let’s talk glass. Harry installed power windows and Pilkinton Glass windshield which is thinner, thus lighter than the OG windshield and was designed for race applications to cut the weight. The rear glass is LOF which is heavier than OG for more weight on the rear wheels. And check out the new OG 1968 vent wings that Harry came across that were new in the box! What a score! It took 9 years to finish this ultimate street fighter but it was well worth the wait as Harry and his friends and family took this basket case from Mission Impossible to Mission Accomplished! Nelson Parker Photos & Story


8 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

STOCK CARing! Rac

Jim Riddiford Racing Photos 808-217-9289

How much fun can you have in two days? Just ask anyone that attended the Hilo Motor Speedway Association’s 1st Annual “Ohana Fun Day” and races at the Hilo Motor Speedway’s dirt oval track on September 11th and 12th! In addition to the stock car racing there were the “Mother-in-Law” races where the driver is blind folded, or in this case with a bag over their head and the passenger (or Mother-in-Law) shouts out driving directions. Talk about a crazy race! Then there was the Roller Derby race with 3 car teams racing for the gold. The front car has no engine (the roller) and is pushed by the second car and both cars are protected by the third car or blocker. OMG! You like bus laugh…this is something to see!


Jim Riddiford Racing Photos 808-217-9289

October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 9 Race Results

For the Ohana there was also lots of food, live music, and something you would only see at a Stock Car Race in Hawaii, a Tahitian dance revue! The Games 2 You game van was also there with everything from Guitar Hero to PS3 games and Laser Tag. Party bouncers, water slides, train rides, a dunking booth and a giant ball that you got into kept they Ohana busy too! Keep your eyes and ears open for more great events from the Hilo Motor Speedway Association. For more information you can call Tony at 808-315-6977. See you at the races!

1st 2nd 3rd

Front Wheel Drive Bomber 17 racers Jordan Gacayan #32 Rachel Racayan #73 Albert Yoshida #27

1st 2nd 3rd

Rear Wheel Drive Bomber Ed Miner #IV Cheyenne Tustin #77 Randy Watson #20

1st 2nd 3rd

4 Cylinder Stock John Aickin Sheldon Moniz Don Medeiros Jr.

#6 #1 #11

1st 2nd 3rd

V-8 Stock Kekoa Sylva Cheyenne Tustin Don Roy

#36 #3 #13

1st 2nd 3rd

V-8 Modified Buck Pope Robert Subica Tony Rodrigues

#X2 #21 #04

Mini Modified Lawrence Cabral 1st 2nd Don Nunes 3rd Mike Van Arkel

#55 #5 #3

Winged Sprint Jimmy Pontin Haweo Vicar Kala Keliinoi

#24 #3 #8

1st 2nd 3rd

For more information call Tony 315-6977


10 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

dual sport RIDE

Story and photos submitted by Gaston Belanger Big Island Dual-Sport Association Labor Day South Point Ride It was a beautiful morning as I took my time cruising in my beat-up Hydrogen powered Isuzu pickup to the staging area at Ray Shirakawa’s home in Waiohinu. I figured only a few riders would show up at 9 am, to my surprise! 13 riders converged at the same time in Ray’s front yard around 8 popping out happily from their trucks immediately gearing up knowing it was going to be a fun on the gas using all the suspension travel kick butt day. After some serious BS bench racing stories, I called a riders meeting…I said; go faster than the crash…brake-slide pitch it sideways into all the berms…wheelie out of all the turns…fan the snot out of the clutch to keep the front tire light over the numerous square edge lava rocks and rough gnarly sections on the way down to the ocean coastline…don’t make this a pink panty ride! Have fun, it’s you’re motorcycle politically correct right to do so. I was the last rider out videoing the plastic/carbon fiber armor clad group as they made huge volumes of dust on the 8 mile long narrow Haoli Koa lined serpentine two track 4WD road laced with many exposed lava rock surprises that will have you squeezin’ your okole. To make a good helmet cam video of all the riders I had to take many go or blow chances to get the good shots from different angles…so as I was passing them on the gas, I would look back for a few moments giving them the shaka sign for a shaka response back, but few did because taking your eyes off the road and hand off the grip was asking for an instant crash! I blitz about a minute ahead of the pack…found a spot I could do a quick 180 brake slide into the Koa bush as I waited to video the riders coming head on punching through each others dust clouds…Ben and Ed Ung hung back not wanting to inhale roosting tire dust…we regrouped at a turn off where the two track road got wider and rougher, this is where I saw Jason Armstrong ricochet off a rock into the tall brush managing to save it…I stopped and said dude this ain’t no time to be doing an agricultural project, he got back on the gas roosting me with a nuclear dust cloud, I never did catch him, though I did reel in Wayne Blyth on his Husky…I followed Wayne for a few miles trying to stay close to keep out of his dust cloud as we approached a loose chunky a’a six foot rise with a turn at the top and more a’a to follow. Wayne was doing some lava rock hole digging excavation with his rear tire trying to finesse the 450 Husky up an over this a’a section…my tricked out 09


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 11

KTM 200 breezed over it and all the other nasty encounters of potential death in the rocks thanks to an excellent Race Tech suspension set up. I stopped to take a look at the old riveted cone shaped, rusted out steam ship boiler converted into a water tank…how they got that big heavy 20 foot tall by 15 wide tank out there in the middle of no mans land back about a mile from the oceans edge in the 1920’s or 30’s is beyond my wildest imagination. Anyhow I caught back up with some of the now spread out riders at the shore line and got to brake slide into and roost out of the numerous sea shell sand berms of the serpentine trail through the narrow tall bush that follows the oceans edge finally popping out on to more a’a for a mile ending into yellow deep silt dust heading into Kalawalo bay where we took a short break regrouping for the next leg of a completely deferent terrain consisting of yellow silt with 6 foot deep 4WD ruts going up and down numerous ledges and gullies as we played in an out, up and down, on the edges of the coastline to get to Green Sands beach and beyond to the windmills on South Point’s cliff’s @ mile 21 where we sat on it’s ledge having lunch looking across the pristine Hawaiian blue Pacific ocean toward Kona. You can’t buy thi$ human camaraderie, you got to ride it. See Rich @ Kiser Motorcycles. He was there, did that, and can fix you up with a “cool man cool” Dual-Sport deal that will set you free like it did me @ 69 yr old…go there do that! After lunch it turned into a faster than the crash free-for-all, all the way back to Waiohinu. My solid 65 yr old friend Patrick (on a CR 250) and I gassed the snot out of our bikes the whole way, going at the top end of 4th gear I G’ed out real bad at the bottom of a silt laden deep gully compressing my lower back vertebras like a pissed off 800 pound gorilla going bananas squashing me…I had to stand on the pegs arching my back all the off road way to Waiohinu, but I never let up because from past experiences I knew if I wasn’t scaring my self sh#@less speeding in the rocks I would be focusing on how much it’s hurting, proving my other theory that “After you crash go faster to get past the pain” this is pure Dual-Sport off road survival logic. My next ride will be a Secret X ride…revealed only at the moment the riders leave from the Big Island Power Sport’s parking lot…Pink panty or level 5?...only you can qualify it. ~Gasser would gas it!~


freaky

TIKI

It’s the second time around the block for Lloyd Enriquez and some of his buddies as many of them have been out of the bike scene for more than 10 years. Lloyd’s son became a pro surfer so Lloyd dove in supporting his boy and everything was all about surfing! But a short while back when Lloyd was attending Uncle German’s funeral, he saw some of his old buddies, talked about the good ‘ol days and wouldn’t you know, it he got bit by the bug all over again. Surfing is still a big part of their ohana’s life, but taking up most of the garage space now is the new Freaky Tiki Customs! “These are my Tiki’s” says Lloyd, talking about the 4 custom bikes he and the boys had just finished for the big Labor Day weekend. The 2010 Freaky Tiki Custom here started with a custom designed frame by Deighton, stretched 6 inches over stock and they also took away 2 inches on the down tubes. The frame was then fabricated by Manuel Soares and Pat Crivello of M&S Custom Works. The front end is a six over springer with one-off billet handle bars and top three’s designed and milled by Pat. The mirror is something Lloyd had stashed for over 15 years and it fit the bike to a T! The controls and grips are all PM and the eye catching red powder coated 80 spoke wheels are from DNA. The motor is a 113 cube S&S that was disassembled right out of the crate and reworked with a hot cam, ported and flowed heads, custom Tiki pipes, a 48 IDA Weber then mated to a 5 speed trans with BDL open belt primary. The sheet metal is all custom as well. Lloyd’s dad used to tell him “Custom doesn’t come out of a box!” The electronics are stashed in the sweet billet box on the left hand side and you gotta love the one-off billet seat also by Pat! “That’s kinda where the “No Cry Babies” slogan came from” says Lloyd. “You know how when you pull up and guys come check your ride and they ask is it a rigid? How come this and how come that? All the while crying about how uncomfortable it must be to ride. We just build um how we like um and ride!” “No Cry Babies!” Big Boy from C&C Painting did the smoothing and painting while Greg Kobayashi did the striping and the Gold Leaf. Ryan at Art Works air brushed the Tiki on the tank. Lloyd will be the first person to tell you “Freaky Tiki Customs is not about one person. It’s a team!” So many mahalos go out to the team including his wife Joann and his boys Deighton, Koa and Jarrett Enriquez, Les Castro, Nohea, Patrick Crivello, Manuel Soares, Greg Kobayashi, Anthony Mayfield and Slade Isabel. Be sure to tune in next month as we feature another custom build from Freaky Tiki Customs from the ground up. “It’s all about a Can Do Attitude!”



14 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

OutLaws! Saturday, September 18, 2010 the Big Island Hot Rod Association held its monthly Outlaw drag races at the Hilo Drag Strip with another great turn out of both racers and spectators eager to get their fix! For one racer, Honolulu’s Tom Brown, the day will also be one he’ll remember for a long time. Photographer Jim Riddiford of Riddiford Racing Photos caught the crash of Tom getting it sideways, then up on two wheels before rolling the dragster

Jim Riddiford Racing Photos 808-217-9289


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 15

at about half track. The car is pretty messed up, but thank God that Tom was OK! Tom (pictured at bottom right) sits with his crew in the trailer after the race. Another testament of the safety equipment in today’s race cars. The next Outlaw race is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 and will also feature the last race in the Stray Kat Motorsports “Import King” Shootout. Gates open at 9am with the first round of qualifying at 11am. For more race info call Chris Mantz @ 937-3648 or Alan Martins @ 960-3124.


16 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

Hana Hou! Hana Hou!!!

Drake and Patty Fujimoto owners of the Hana Hou restaurant in Naalehu are also serious motorheads. Drakes 1978 El Camino is a daily driver and a real nice ride. Drake found the El Camino 7 years ago in the Puna area and after much work came up with this clean driver. The body and paint work was done by Hank’s Auto Body in Kona featuring ghost flames and a nice deep blue color. Drake went through the El Camino from front to rear installing a B&M turbo 400 trans and a 373 rear end gears and Hotchkis rear suspension. Classic Centerline wheels makes for a clean looking ride. The seats are from a 1981 Buick and the gauges and tach are Auto Meter. In the engine compartment is a 383 cubic inch balanced small block stroker with a Comp Cam and roller rockers a 750 Edelebrock carb and fuel pump along with Jet Hot headers and Magna flow mufflers complete the exhaust system. Drake also put on a quick change timing cover, and to keep this runner cool


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 17 installed a “Be Cool” radiator. Fire comes from a Mallory HEI ignition. All the machine work was done by Magoo’s Automotive in Hilo and drake screwed it together himself. Drake’s been building engines and complete cars for years and has had success at drag strips on Oahu and the Big Island. He says anyone interested in the El Camino should call him, he says it’s time to go fishing again and there’s not much time for cars now. Drake has other parts for sale and you can contact him at 929-8426. Hana Hou!!!

Hana H

ou!

Photos and story by Jim Wulzen


18/ Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

NO FRETTING AROUND Aloha everyone. I hope all of you had a great September. I had a blast attending the Kailua Kona fair at the old A’s. I had the opportunity to volunteer along with the other parents of the Kealakehe High School varsity football team doing a fundraiser, to sell sodas, hotdogs and the goodies! I’ve never made so much corn dogs in my life and made such wonderful new friends, so thank you Chris Gillman and all those who put this together and worked so hard. Many times customers would come into our shop with an intermittent electrical transmission symptom. Sometimes they’re caused by a wire rubbing on part of the body or a bracket. Sometimes they’re caused by a lack of socket tension on the harness, allowing the pins to lose contact. Sometimes were not able to locate the problem and the symptom would subside and never return. One thing I have learned is a condition known as fretting. Fretting is “wear and sometimes corrosion at the uneven contact areas of surfaces”. Fretting can occur with many different types of applications, including automotive electrical circuits. Fretting occurs when the surfaces of electrical terminals move slightly, causing the surfaces to weld together and then tear apart. This movement is typically quite small as little as 10-100 microns. Just imagine a sheet of paper is 100 microns thick! That little movement will cause the electrical connections to Fret. This action causes the surfaces to transfer material and develop oxidation and debris, which leads to an increase in resistance. The oxidize fragments break off, which leads to further degregation of the terminal as it becomes trapped between the mating surfaces. The oxidized fragments are much harder than the terminals themselves, and they become trapped between the terminal mating surfaces, leading to scoring and abrasion damage. I ran across an experience like this a month ago when a customer from Puna Orchid land estates complained of intermittent lost of power and transmission slips. She owned a 2005 Toyota Rav 4 and use it to cross numerous potholes and rough terrain on her street. I was not able to replicate the symptom at that time when it was first brought in. The scanner indicated normal operation. The vehicle had no DTC’s. I scanned both the engine and transmission data streams and I was not able to find anything wrong with the vehicle that could account for the complaint. The customer was frustrated taking the vehicle to several shops including mine and was not able to get answers. She pleaded for me to go with her to the exact location where the symptom would occur. I was a little gun shy because I didn’t know who this lady was, and I was afraid where she was taking me. As we drove to Orchid Land, I had the best opportunity to build a solid rapport with her and could feel her concern. She had mentioned that her ECM was replaced before because of a starting problem and that the fuel injectors was not getting signals. Two months later the intermittent sluggish performance and transmission slips occurred. When we finally got to Orchid Land on 36th street, I couldn’t help but observed the gigantic potholes all filled with water and mud like the Discovery channel when the explorers would cross the Amazon! Immediately, I was able to duplicate the customer’s complaint. I had observed that the vehicle would go on limp mode on really rough terrain, and the transmission would start on 3rd gear having loss of power when taking off. Later at our shop, our technician had found that the new ECM computer connector clip was not inserted properly causing corrosion and Fretting. On the electrical spades you could even see the black marks of Fretting. A simple electrical cleaner and a heavy dose of Dielectric grease had solved the problem. And we made sure that the connector was inserted all the way in!! We would like to thank this customer for the opportunity to service her and for all the goodies. Should you have any questions regarding Fretting, please call or stop by at Transmission Technology in Kona call 331-8310 next to Daleco Batteries behind Big Island Auto Parts. In Hilo call 935-1600 behind Dukes Kiluaea Shell gas station. Our certified technicians are ready to assist you. Have a safe and fun Halloween. Watch the kekis on the road and please don’t drink and drive. Respectfully, Vic Comesario


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 19

The Big Island of Hawaii Region had a big finish for the summer! On August 29, we ran our regular PAX championship Solo II at the Hilo track. That same day, we co-sanctioned a double regional road race in Bremerton Washington. Both events were dedicated to member Jay Bratton, who passed away this past June. This event saw many of our regulars, but we were fortunate to have Sky Olson back out with his Subaru WRX Sti ‘GRIP’, and Kevin Okumura in his Mitsubishi Evo. A much anticipated appearance of the Ariel Atom had to be put on hold, as well as the maiden outing for Mark Pernell’s new Cobra. We are hopeful that these cars will be out for the September 26 event, and should put on a good show! Top time of day went to Brian Dorr in his SM2 Mazda Miata at 57.3 seconds through the Buscher-Wilk designed course. No one else was able to break the sixty second barrier, although Nick Buscher came close (60.99!), in his ESP Ford Ranger pickup. But that’s not all! The next weekend was the Labor Day Double Regional at Buttonwillow in California. This event saw Big Island members Jim Cohn and Bob Lindsay competing in Spec Miata and ITA (Improved Touring) in their new Miata racecars - # 31 for Jim and #13 for Bob. This event was true wheel to wheel road racing at a dedicated facility.

Buttonwillow is located just outside Bakersfield, in farm country. Cal Club, the Southern California Region who runs the track, had it configured for a three mile lap. Races were 30 minutes in length, with several classes grouped together. With temperatures ranging from 99 to 103 degrees for the Labor Day weekend, it was plenty hot, but the Big Island guys were in good form, each taking a second place in their respective classes! But wait! There’s more! Member Tony Sussex has been restoring his 1957 Porsche 356B, and after eight years, the time had come for its first outing with Hawaii’s 356 Club on Oahu. Tony’s car is a very rare one with Rudge knock-off wheels. The car is finished in a deep blue metallic, and an ivory leather interior. After a photo shoot at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, the vintage Porsches continued on a drive around the island, and then enjoyed a congenial BBQ at Linus Pauling’s home on Round Top, with Diamond Head as a backdrop. A fantastic end to summer for the Big Island of Hawaii Region! Jim Cohn, Big Island of Hawaii Region


20 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010

WILD BULL! There’s a lot of good eats down South, and that’s where we find ourselves Crusin’ for Grinds again this month! Ron Scharf, the owner of Wild Bull Leatherworks and the Wild Bull Expresso & Smoothie Saloon is a cowboy craftsman. He has spent over 40 years in the saddle. He grew up in a one room cabin with his 2 brothers and two sisters in Nebraska. Working on a ranch he learned early on to take care of his riding gear, and that would guide him for his chosen career. Ron is a saddle maker, an artist working with wood, leather and metal. He learned his trade while working for a wilderness guide service near Crater Lake Oregon, taking care of 30 horses, and all the tack gear and saddles. He had to make repairs when needed and sometimes rebuilt saddles. He’s a self taught craftsman and knows his craft well, he headed up the wilderness guide service for 15 years and worked the open range taking care of 500 head of cattle by himself at the Rogue River Ranch, spending months on end in the wilderness until the fall gathering to bring them to lower ground with the help of two hired cowboys. Ron came to Hawaii for his health and worked for a couple of years at the Kings Trail Rides in Kealakekua where he had a business called Ron’s Custom Saddles. He bought a house in Pahala and started looking for a location to set up shop and found the old Luzon building next to the 76 station in Naalehu and the rest is history. Ron and his apprentice Schaun Lee build custom saddles, do repairs and general leather work and have a nice stock of saddle blankets and tack. The leather shop is open at 8:00 AM till closing. On the other side of the building is the Wild Bull expresso & Smoothie Saloon, a nice little restaurant serving breakfast starting at 5:00AM to 10:00AM and lunch from 10:00 AM on. The breakfast menu features Paniolo names like the Pilgram breakfast or the Cowboy breakfast featuring two eggs, choice of meat, potatoes or rice & toast for only $4.95.You can get sandwiches and fresh fruit smoothies, hot sandwiches, Salads made fresh with local organic produce, baked homemade pies, cookies and rolls baked fresh in house daily. All the meats are range fed and delicious. Oh! Almost forgot on Saturdays the Wild Bull Breakfast special from 6:00 AM to 10:00Am is 2 eggs, bacon, ham or sausage and “all you can eat pancakes” for only $5.95. Get on in! See their ad on page 11 for directions. Story and photos by Jim Wulzen


September 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 21


22 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / October 2010 The 808 MX/ATV Associations sixth keiki and adult dirtbike/atv races were held on Saturday, August 7th at the Hilo Motorcross track at the Hilo drag strip. Race results are listed below.

808 motocross

The next race is scheduled for Saturday October 23, 2010. For more info on races and practice ride days contact Crystal at 9598463. Submitted by Crystal Mukai 125cc 2str.-250cc 4str. Dirtbike Novice 1st #30 Preston Cawagas 2nd #619 Toshi Mochizuki 3rd #90 Randy Johnson

Quad Masters 1st #9 Jake Kron 2nd #11 Kevin Gardner 3rd #22 Clarence Pila

Dirtbike Vintage Class 1st #K Kelly Krall 2nd #177 Justin Love-Tice 3rd #690 Mike Murray

125cc 2str.-250cc 4str. Dirtbike Amateur 1st #177 Justin Love-Tice 2nd #317 Colby Coghill

65cc Dirtbike 7-9yrs 1st #3 Chase Shope 2nd #4 Makoa Shope 3rd #12 Mason Kron

50cc Dirtbike Mod Class 1st #12 Mason Kron

125cc 2str.-250cc 4str. Dirtbike Expert 1st #83 Kai Mukai 2nd #120 Keegan Whaley 3rd #14 Kaeo Hunter 50cc Quad Stock 4-6yrs 1st #67 Jayden Sanborn 2nd #217 Keyshawn Lorenzo 3rd #415 Anthony Wuestefeld 90cc Quad Stock 7-12yrs 1st #57 Jadie Sanborn 2nd #214 Chansen McAllister 3rd #11 Keyshawn Lorenzo 70cc Quad Modified 7-12yrs 1st #7 Kobe Lorenzo

Dirtbike Vet Class 1st #25 Zack Waters 2nd #36 Vernon DeMello 3rd #416 Duke Liwai 85cc Dirtbike 9-11yrs 1st #8 Ryan Kunishige Dirtbike Supermini Class 1st #83 Kai Mukai 2nd #317 Colby Coghill 3rd #36 Rondon DeMello Quad Expert 1st #11 Kevin Gardner 2nd #9 Jake Kron 3rd #22 Clarence Pila

50cc Dirtbike Pee Wee 4-6yrs 1st #67 Jayden Sanborn 2nd #808 Arlen Sol Camara 3rd #277 Skyler Joyce 50cc Dirtbike Stock 1st #4 Makoa Shope 50cc Dirtbike Open 1st #3 Chase Shope Schoolboy Dirtbike 1st #83 Kai Mukai 2nd #120 Keegan Whaley 3rd #317 Colby Coghill 50cc Quad Mod 7-12yrs 1st #67 Jayden Sanborn 2nd #217 Keyshawn Lorenzo 3rd #415 Anthony Wuestefeld

90cc Quad Mod 7-12yrs 1st #7 Kobe Lorenzo 2nd #10 Ashtin Paahana 250cc 2str.-450cc 4str. Dirtbike Novice 1st #K Kelly Krall 2nd #619 Toshi Mochizuki 3rd #77 Tony Joyce 250cc 2str.-450cc 4str. Dirtbike Amateur 1st #36 Vernon DeMello 2nd #238 John Lopez 3rd #12 DJ Atiz 250cc 2str.-450cc 4str. Dirtbike Expert 1st #25 Zack Waters 2nd #120 Keegan Whaley 85cc Dirtbike 12-15yrs 1st #317 Colby Coghill 2nd #231 Reese Mills-Richardson Dirtbike Open Class 1st #83 Kai Mukai 2nd #14 Kaeo Hunter 3rd #12 Ian Robledo


October 2010 / Hawaii Motorhead Magazine / 23

Just $50 a month to have Your business in the Motorhead Directory!



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.