43 Years?

[2Loose]

I keep seeing references to 43 years of racing for the VITA. Just what exactly is that in reference to? When I was taking care of the cane fields down around the abandoned Puunene Air Naval Station (PANS) in the 60's and 70's, there was no racing there. Other than the occasional outlaw run down the abandoned airstrip in the middle of the night (My '63 Vette made an occasional midnight pass).
Willy Pyle
#348
"Too Loose"

[sharon spring]

The recorded year of establishment of the Valley Isle Timing Association is 1963.

As such, 1963 is utilized as the baseline for our non-profit organization's historical records.

[2Loose]

There has been a definite effort to portray the current drag strip as having been in operation as a certified NHRA operation for 43 years. It may be subtle, and it may be implied, but it is most definitely there. In the sixties there was circle track racing at the old Puunene Ave County Fairgrounds, that is probably where the VITA originated. At that time the Federal Gov't had ownership of the PANS site, and noone was in there, except perhaps Elmer Cravalho's cattle. PANS had to transfer to State of Hawaii control before the sugar company could negotiate a lease to start farming on some of that land. Then it transferred to county control. I don't remember if certified racing began when it was under State control or after it transferred to County control, but it was fairly recent.