Puunene, Maui - Maui Raceway Park's 3rd event of the season was a long one. Plagued both nights with oil downs and more, racers ran into the wee hours of the night. But a lot of exciting races were had and it was a great event both with large spectator and racer turn out. Friday Night was Bracket Night also with Import and Motorcycle Classes. Kauai's Tony King came up winner in Bracket One (10.99 and faster) against Kihei's own Neal Van Slyke. In Bracket Two (11.00-13.59) Pukalani's Jay Nakamura beat Kihei's John Hultquist. 

Ricky Kamatani brought the six-second "Mountain Man" out for testing.
Photo by Mike Thompson

Board of Director Freddy Valdez out of Makawao, took time out from his work Friday to come up with the win in the Bracket 3 (13.60 and slower) finals against Makawao's Chris Sierra. Kahului's Jeremy Pascual won in Imports over Matt Higa also out of Kahului. And Les (Crack Jr) Fevella out of Kihei came up on top in the Motorcycle Class shutting out Darryl Murphy also out of Kihei. Pukalani's Neil Dixon was the Lucky Winner of the Dinner for two from Cheese Burgers- Mai Tai's - & Rock n Roll in Wailea.

Saturday, a late afternoon downpour threatened the races but soon cleared up and they were able to get the track dried off and races under way. The crowd got to see a local favorite run - Upcountry's Ricky Kamatani came out to test and tune "Mountain Man" his 6 second Dragster getting ready for May's Fast Gas Program. Steve Kear was also trying to license "Lethal Speed 2" his alcohol Funny car. He made a few good runs and may soon be on his way to licensing the vehicle. 

Saturday night was Pro Gas racing and Street Legal Bracket. VITA is working hard to encourage the kids in off the streets and come race at the track, and it must be working! 57 street cars lined up to compete down the 1/4 mile. Working his way through the pack and coming up on top once again was Kihei's Robert Miskae taking the win over Kula's Irene Hultquist. In 12.90's Kihei's John Hultquist and Kahului's Thomas Hussey met with John taking the win. 

Another Board of Director came out to win; Kula's Bill Fernandez took the win in 11.90's over Kahului's Eric Saito. In 10.90's, Pukalani's Scott Hirata came up on top over Wailuku's Roy Kato. Kahului's Kris Shirota took the win in 8.90's over Makawao's Rusty Mederios. And winning the Motorcycle Class was Lahaina's Wade Jacobsen over Kihei's Bruno Hoppe. Winning the Snap On Tools Best Reaction time was Pukalani's Kathleen Hoopai with an awesome .502 on a perfect .50 light.