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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0467.001 1998-2000 HILO, HAWAII D BIG ISLAND AUTO CLUB P.O. Box 4004 Hilo, HI 96720 October 14, 1999 To: JAMES ARARARI--CHAIRMAN HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL 6 COIINCIL MEMBERS Subject: RESOLUTION NO. 150 99 My name is Ken Kiyosaki and I am the President of the Big island Auto Club. I have come to speak in favor of Resolution No. 150 99. This morning, I would like to share with you a brief background of the BIAC and the current focus and goals of the club. The Big Island Auto Club was formed 32 years ago with the express purpose of seeking a permanent, safe and legal racing facility for its members to compete on. For years drag racing took place on public highways. Places such as Kalapana, Kapoho, Manuka, Pepeekeo, Olaa, and Keaukaha were favorites. Today there are new additions of Blue Lights and Panaewa. As time passed, these midnight racers began to realize the rise in power of their machines, the ever increasing number of spectators and the strong arm of the law. It was time to organize and on April 17, 1968 a core group of 80 racers formed the Auto Club of Hawaii, later to be named the Big Island Auto Club. Our first opportunity to demonstrate our sport came on October 27, 1968 with the County of Hawaii issuing a permit to close Kamehameha Avenue for a single car 1/8 mile blast. More than 5,000 spectators lined the streets to see the first legal outlaw performance. Since that day, the BIAC was granted permission to hold races at the Old Kona Airport for 7 years and then moved to the Hilo Drag Strip after it's completion in 1978. In 1997 and 1998, the BIAC created "Off The Streets And On The Track". With the funding and assistance of the County Council and the Department of Parks and Recreation this event was a huge success getting over 1,000 racers off the streets and over 18,000 spectators through the gate. In 1999, all funding had been terminated. In a bold move, the BIAC decided to continue our commitment to the safety of the street racers. "Off The Street And On The Track" was incorporated into all of the 8 season events. "Race for free after three" became Comm. No. 0 Fpe No. rR~ OCT 1 ¢ 1999 Tot P~ess~rted couNU` known to the street racer. The BIAC waived the racing fee of $30.00 after 3:00 p.m. and allowed racers on the track for free between scheduled events. One of the main goals for the 1999 season was to take drag racing to the public to educate the young as well as the old in the safety aspects of the sport. The BIAC will continue our commitment to the public through our sport, but we need your assistance. Resolution No. 150 is a great beginning and we need all of your support. Labor Day 1999 brought 15 vehicles from Oahu, 140 competitors and over 4,000 spectators. We have seen over 28,000 people come through our gates this season. All of these people had to brave the horrendous road conditions just to get to the drag strip. They have all been patient with our shortage of volunteer workers and many have become volunteers themselves. Drag racing is a viable sport that saves lives. Ninety percent of our workers are volunteers with no pay. We will continue to do what is necessary to accomplish our goals in the sport of drag racing, but we also need your help. Sincerely, Ken Ki aki--President Big I and Auto Club HILO, HAWAII D ~f ,._~I BIG ISLAND AUTO CLUB P.O. Box 4004 Hilo, HI 96720 October 14, 1999 To: JAMES ARARARI--CHAIRMAN HANAII COIINTY COUNCIL i COIINCIL MEMBERS Subject: RE80LUTION NO. 150 99 My name is Ken Kiyosaki and I am the President of the Big island Auto Club. I have come to speak in favor of Resolution No. 150 99. This morning, I would like to share with you a brief background of the BIAC and the current focus and goals of the club. The Big Island Auto Club was formed 32 years ago with the express purpose of seeking a permanent, safe and legal racing facility for its members to compete on. For years drag racing took place on public highways. Places such as Kalapana, Kapoho, Manuka, Pepeekeo, Olaa, and Keaukaha were favorites. Today there are new additions of Blue Lights and Panaewa. As time passed, these midnight racers began to realize the rise in power of their machines, the ever increasing number of spectators and the strong arm of the law. It was time to organize and on April 17, 1968 a core group of 80 racers formed the Auto Club of Hawaii, later to be named the Big Island Auto Club. Our first opportunity to demonstrate our sport came on October 27, 1968 with the County of Hawaii issuing a permit to close Kamehameha Avenue for a single car 1/8 mile blast. More than 5,000 spectators lined the streets to see the first legal outlaw performance. Since that day, the BIAC was granted permission to hold races at the Old Kona Airport for 7 years and then moved to the Hilo Drag Strip after it's completion in 1978. In 1997 and 1998, the BIAC created "Off The Streets And On The Track". With the funding and assistance of the County Council and the Department of Parks and Recreation this event was a huge success getting over 1,000 racers off the streets and over 18,000 spectators through the gate. In 1999, all funding had been terminated. In a bold move, the BIAC decided to continue our commitment to the safety of the street racers. "Off The Street And On The Track" was incorporated into all of the 8 season events. "Race for free after three" became known to the street racer. The BIAC waived the racing fee of $30.00 after 3:00 p.m. and allowed racers on the track for free between scheduled events. One of the main goals for the 1999 season was to take drag racing to the public to educate the young as well as the old in the safety aspects of the sport. The BZAC will continue our commitment to the public through our sport, but we need your assistance. Resolution No. 150 is a great beginning and we need all of your support. Labor Day 1999 brought 15 vehicles from Oahu, 140 competitors and over 4,000 spectators. We have seen over 28,000 people come through our gates this season. All of these people had to brave the horrendous road conditions just to get to the drag strip. They have all been patient with our shortage of volunteer workers and many have become volunteers themselves. Drag racing is a viable sport that saves lives. Ninety percent of our workers are volunteers with no pay. We will continue to do what is necessary to accomplish our goals in the sport of drag racing, but we also need your help. Sincerely, Ken Kiyo a~President Big Island Auto Club