The Big Island Auto Club is hoping to expand its reach as the group prepares to celebrate the 50th Annual Labor Day Drags at the Hilo Drag Strip next weekend.
The Big Island Auto Club (BIAC) will host its first free car show featuring a selection of race cars, vintage cars and modern cars at Kama’aina Motors in Hilo on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visitors can expect a “crackfest” every hour, BIAC’s unique term for the joint launch of race cars in front of an audience. There will also be music from DJ PA3CO and a few local food vendors on site.
BIAC hosts the car show the weekend before the 50th annual Labor Day Drags in hopes of promoting its biggest race of the year and attracting more people to the Hilo Drag Strip.
“We have worked as much as we can to keep drag racing alive here in Hilo, and this is our way of reaching out to the community and reminding them that we are still here and very active,” said BIAC member Sydney Koga.
Before BIAC first came together over 55 years ago, Geoffrey Lauer moved to the Big Island looking for something to do when he stumbled upon an exciting and growing drag racing community.
Riders and spectators gathered at night and held races on the straightaways at Kalapana, Kapoho, Manuka, Keamoku, Pepeekeo, Olaa and Keaukaha, which were among the most popular venues.
In 1968, the sport was experiencing a significant upturn, with attendance increasing and cars becoming more powerful. Racers and fans decided to organize to save the sport and find a permanent, legal race track for members.
“When I moved to the island, the population was half the size and most of the construction projects we see today weren’t here, so you had to come up with something,” Lauer said. “That stuck with me and I’ve been a part of the community since the club was founded.”
After the BIAC was formed, the first legal racing opportunity arose on Sunday, October 27, 1968, when the county granted the club permission to conduct 1/8-mile single-car speed races on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo.
According to Lauer, more than 5,000 spectators lined both sides of the street. However, it would be another two years before the next legal race.
In October 1970, the state, county and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) granted temporary permission and support for drag racing at the Old Kona Airport. The first race at the venue drew 5,000 to 6,000 people.
“When we started racing at Kona Airport, I became the track manager and eventually the announcer, which I still do today,” Lauer said. “It was a lot of fun being there, but we were thrilled when we finally got our own facility.”
In 1978, BIAC realized its goal when Hilo Drag Strip opened and was sanctioned by the NHRA. For 27 years, the club hosted racing events, maintained the facility, and completed improvement projects. For Koga, Hilo Drag Strip was her backyard.
“I grew up there. I mean, I’ve literally been going there since I was in diapers,” Koga said. “My dad started racing in high school and never stopped, so our whole family is involved. A lot of people down there are like that.”
Many racers come from families where drag racing is a part of their lives. Youngsters can compete as junior dragsters with lower-powered engines and later move into the full-size discipline after they get their license.
“I race and I’m an adrenaline junkie, so I really love everything about drag racing,” Koga said. “For my family, it’s the most important family time. We’ve made a lot of memories and we continue to do so.”
Koga and other members of the BIAC board have been planning the upcoming Labor Day Drags event, a three-day event that begins Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon. It is BIAC’s only major annual race.
“We used to have two big races, but now our contract with the county only allows one per year on Labor Day weekend,” Lauer said. “Drag racing requires insurance and we have to pay for an ambulance to be on site the entire time, which is expensive since we’re self-funding as a club.”
The Hilo Drag Strip is a county facility that is also used for other sports such as go-karting, circuit racing and motocross, so the BIAC is planning ahead and will release its schedule for the entire next year by December.
“Our biggest race is Labor Day, but we run about one weekend a month,” Koga said. “People are welcome to come out and watch and see what it’s all about.”
In its 56 years of existence, BIAC has weathered legislative changes, new venues, lava flows, track remodeling, new operators on the circuit and COVID-19. The group has no plans to stop anytime soon.
“It’s been incredible to see people grow up and see generations of families racing on the track,” Lauer said. “We want the sport to survive into the next generation and are grateful to everyone who has supported and continues to support us.”
The 50th Labor Day Drags will be held at the Hilo Drag Strip. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 30th and at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 31st and Sunday, September 1st. Admission is $10. Keikis under 12 are free.
Grocery Gettah will be the main event on August 30th and 31st. Junior Dragster Blowout, Mopar vs. The World, 6.90 Index, Quickest 8, Quicker 8, Quick 16 and Bikes/Motorcycles will take place during the day on August 31st and September 1st.
For more information about events, visit BIAC808’s Facebook and Instagram pages. If you are interested in getting involved with the club, email [email protected].
Email Kelsey Walling at [email protected]
