Q
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From: Double kal bi spicy
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
Q
I was finally able to run my car last night at the Kauai Raceway Park. First off, I have to say how much I am impressed by this track and racing community. For one, it is an official NHRA sanctioned event, meaning all rules apply....as well as charges. I paid a total of 60 bucks to race last night (!). You have to race in designated classes depending on what you drive and how fast you are. I participated in the street class.
Drags here are once a month. That and the fact that it costs so much to race filters out the ricer bunch a lot. Needless to say, those who do race are pretty serious. I'd say that the average time of all the racers last night were 12s. I say that because a good number of those racing were doing 8s, 9s, and 10s. Even the Hondas that we love to rip on so much were doing an average of mid 13s. There was a 9 second wheel-standing Toyota Corolla station wagon (yay Wagons!) which was psychotically badass. Then there is the usual array of muscle cars which were all beautiful. Also noticed was a 12 second lifted diesel Ford F-250. That blew my mind. A 5,000-lb. beast flying down the track like a bullet train is something to behold. There was even a sleeper 80's toyota pickup stuffed w/a Chevy V8 that did 10s. You really couldn't tell anything was up just by looking at it (other than the fact that it had slicks on), but when it took off, all doubt was erased. That's no Toyota motor in there
.
Then there was me. As expected, I get the usual "what IS that?" It's always amusing to puzzle the announcer in the tower. I started the racing at about 3pm, which is VERY hot. Not good for our turbo cars. I couldn't get quicker than a 14.1 et. However, my trap speeds were consistently 98.5/98.6mph...which means that the power was there. I later learn that the track was treated w/that stuff that dragsters use for traction. Not good for our street tires. I cannot for the life of me get a good launch. I could not do better than a 2.0 second 60 ft., even launching at 3K rpm.
Later in the night, I entered the bracket races (for the first time in my life). My opponent was a beautiful black Barracuda. I made friends with the guy and he told me how he got that car for free from a neighbor who's son passed away. They told him he could have it if he just signed the papers. (wow).
Anyway, the race. I was able to beat him off the line and basically kept pulling all the way to the end. Here's the info.
Me:
R/T: 0.677
60 ft.: 2.052
MID MPH: 79.22
660: 8.898
MPH: 100.67
ET: 13.826
Notice that terrible 60 ft. time and my less-than-best et. However, that was my best trap speed ever. I'm finally into the 3 digits! woo hoo!!
Unfortunately, with that run, I was eliminated for breaking out of my 14.00 second dial-in time. Oh well. I'm still happy.
The atmosphere is awesome! It's like one big party. There are people on both sides of the dragstrip to watch you run. Both sides are packed w/tents of racers and spectators BBQing and drinking, having a good time. It's like one huge party! I too, partook in all this festivity. Great stuff.
I can't wait till next month, and then especially July, which is a 2-day event in which you can even camp at the tracks if you want.
Aloha!
--Josh
Drags here are once a month. That and the fact that it costs so much to race filters out the ricer bunch a lot. Needless to say, those who do race are pretty serious. I'd say that the average time of all the racers last night were 12s. I say that because a good number of those racing were doing 8s, 9s, and 10s. Even the Hondas that we love to rip on so much were doing an average of mid 13s. There was a 9 second wheel-standing Toyota Corolla station wagon (yay Wagons!) which was psychotically badass. Then there is the usual array of muscle cars which were all beautiful. Also noticed was a 12 second lifted diesel Ford F-250. That blew my mind. A 5,000-lb. beast flying down the track like a bullet train is something to behold. There was even a sleeper 80's toyota pickup stuffed w/a Chevy V8 that did 10s. You really couldn't tell anything was up just by looking at it (other than the fact that it had slicks on), but when it took off, all doubt was erased. That's no Toyota motor in there
. Then there was me. As expected, I get the usual "what IS that?" It's always amusing to puzzle the announcer in the tower. I started the racing at about 3pm, which is VERY hot. Not good for our turbo cars. I couldn't get quicker than a 14.1 et. However, my trap speeds were consistently 98.5/98.6mph...which means that the power was there. I later learn that the track was treated w/that stuff that dragsters use for traction. Not good for our street tires. I cannot for the life of me get a good launch. I could not do better than a 2.0 second 60 ft., even launching at 3K rpm.
Later in the night, I entered the bracket races (for the first time in my life). My opponent was a beautiful black Barracuda. I made friends with the guy and he told me how he got that car for free from a neighbor who's son passed away. They told him he could have it if he just signed the papers. (wow).
Anyway, the race. I was able to beat him off the line and basically kept pulling all the way to the end. Here's the info.
Me:
R/T: 0.677
60 ft.: 2.052
MID MPH: 79.22
660: 8.898
MPH: 100.67
ET: 13.826
Notice that terrible 60 ft. time and my less-than-best et. However, that was my best trap speed ever. I'm finally into the 3 digits! woo hoo!!
Unfortunately, with that run, I was eliminated for breaking out of my 14.00 second dial-in time. Oh well. I'm still happy.
The atmosphere is awesome! It's like one big party. There are people on both sides of the dragstrip to watch you run. Both sides are packed w/tents of racers and spectators BBQing and drinking, having a good time. It's like one huge party! I too, partook in all this festivity. Great stuff.
I can't wait till next month, and then especially July, which is a 2-day event in which you can even camp at the tracks if you want. Aloha!
--Josh
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From: mr. police officer,im not as think as you drunk i am....
Car Info: 02 wrx
Must be nice to race josh! I'd definately fork up 60 bucks to race.
It would be nice to have the ferry service start up if the track doesn't open up in time.
It would be nice to have the ferry service start up if the track doesn't open up in time.
Originally Posted by sneezerboi
I later learn that the track was treated w/that stuff that dragsters use for traction. Not good for our street tires. I cannot for the life of me get a good launch. I could not do better than a 2.0 second 60 ft., even launching at 3K rpm.
ran my fastest time on a race prepped track, with a 1.7xx 60 ft. on street tires. It can be done!
sounds like a lot of fun over there too!
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From: Double kal bi spicy
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
Originally Posted by namakemono
do they have a full track or just a quarter mile? what a coincedence that i was wondering how if the $8 fee was for everywhere...
There's the test and tune (from 3-6:30pm), then the bracket races start. Between bracket races, test and tune runs continue. 35 bucks for just test and tune.
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From: Double kal bi spicy
Car Info: 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS
I'd say the asphalt is better at HRP. The strip here has some patches, but they're not of any issue. That's all I can say since there is only a dragstrip. The staging lanes are short and curved, making lining up look rather unorganized as it curves rather abruptly from the return lane/pit area. They only use 3 lanes...1 lane for the pro gas guys, and 2 lanes for whatever class is running at the time.
They only run 1 class at a time, rotating periodically until the bracket races start. There's this guy w/a mostly stock Accord coupe who's been owning the brackets for the past 2 or 3 events straight. He's super consistent.
Man, you guys should come up sometime. It'd be awesome if you would come during a race weekend. They're every 1st Saturday of the month, and July has a 2 day event which is supposedly a big deal. We could BBQ at the tracks, then chill/tour the island on Sunday.
They only run 1 class at a time, rotating periodically until the bracket races start. There's this guy w/a mostly stock Accord coupe who's been owning the brackets for the past 2 or 3 events straight. He's super consistent.
Man, you guys should come up sometime. It'd be awesome if you would come during a race weekend. They're every 1st Saturday of the month, and July has a 2 day event which is supposedly a big deal. We could BBQ at the tracks, then chill/tour the island on Sunday.
