Auto Racing In Hawaii a look back.
History of Hawaii Raceway Park
Dirt oval opened January 1, 1962.
Drag strip opened in 1963.
Two mile road course operated from 1973 to 1975
1.32 mile road course opened in 1992.
300 foot sand drag strip opened in 2002.
The entire racetrack shut down in 2006 after their
lease with the James Campbell Estate ran out.
In June of 2008 the
65.8 acre industrial zoned property near the Campbell Industrial Park in
Kapolei was for sale again.
It was bought by Irongate in 2006 for about $13
million and it was probably worth about 28 million in 2008.
Irongate had
originally planned to sell home lots on the property, but in 2008 they
decided to sell it instead.
50 State Pro Gas Association
In 1973, Hawaii Raceway closed due to new promoters not keeping up
with the lease rent. The sport was in a deep tail slide. So George Nitta
flew up to meet with his friends who had started a new racing organization
in California called the Southern California Pro Gas Association.
Click Here to read The Full Article |
George Nitta on right with his son Todd (2 years old)
|
Kahuku Drag Strip Video circa 1960
Click here to
view MPG Video
Click here to view Windows Media Video
JR. Dragsters Program at Hawaii Raceway
Park
George Nitta harbored a passion for racing even before the park was
built in 1963; ten years ago, with just two cars, he started a program for
juniors, determined to pass on that passion. The program was designed to
teach kids to win, says George, but also to stress overall competency:
“There is one stipulation that covers all of the kids, and that is grades.
You must maintain a C grade level and higher. No grades, no racing.”.
Click here to read full article.
Click Here for "
Need For Speed " AVI
Click
Here for " Need For Speed " WMV
|
|
JR. Dragsters Program at Hawaii Raceway
Park
George Nitta harbored a passion for racing even before the park was
built in 1963; ten years ago, with just two cars, he started a program for
juniors, determined to pass on that passion. The program was designed to
teach kids to win, says George, but also to stress overall competency:
“There is one stipulation that covers all of the kids, and that is grades.
You must maintain a C grade level and higher. No grades, no racing.”.
Click Here for Pictures of "Just Another
Phase"
|
|
Hawaii Raceway Park Video
Click Here for Windows Media Video
Click Here for MPG Video
Hawaii Raceway Park Controversy
by Mary Simms
KALAELOA (KHNL) -- Race Enthusiasts say they need a place to safely
perform their sport, but they didn't get much support Tuesday.
The Honolulu City Council's zoning committee passed a bill that has many
of them frustrated.
Click here for full article.
|
|
|
Above: Todd Nitta drives Shenandoah for a slow pass in memory of George's
brother David Nitta
1945-2001. George Nitta narrated from the tower.
|
