Dakota at Fontana for NHRA JEGS 1/4 Mile Drags

Posted on May 31, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

31 May

NHRA Jegs Pacific Sportsman Nationals today in Fontana

Now – Well, they say sometimes its more Luck than judgment in many sports _ but not with Drag racing, its a tiny bit of luck but all skill and judgment 100% of the time.

Dakota Kai came out to Fontana for the Jegs nationals and with his last years bike he got some quick times, only to have the Motor fail on him in the Burn out box, so, the Brand New bike from Kawasaki USA was bought out and he ran the weekend, proving better with each run but still new to the machine, this will take a little while to dial in.

Tight motors usually need a run in period but Kota had no real test time as the bike was still being put back together, but it performed very well and on Sunday when we got there, Dakota and the Bronze star racing group had gotten through the first round, and no qualifying runs, this bike had better perform.

The bike is pretty much there but on hindsight I should think a few practice days will loosen the motor up so the power is there all the way through the range of gears as it will be relatively tight from being brand spanking new.

Above- Crew Chief and ” Grandad ” Bob Pine talk tech whilst gearing up to make the next run, this is a racing family and so nice to see the camaraderie with everybody here.

Aaron Pine is Dakota’s dad and here they are talking Parameters and humidity, these are all aspects of drag racing that go unseen to Joe public, so many variables to take into consideration.

There were so many Dragster and rails etc. That it took a while for the Motorcycle class to be called but Dakota was all set and off they went with his pal ” Dillon” on the Pit bike.

Below more Motorcycles line up for their runs and this sure a great vantage point to see the action in the grand stand at Fontana, the noise is bloody awesome to be honest I love it!

Dakota’s School buddy also races and Gage Herrara managed to secure his win on a close race as the Sun was starting to come out and heat the track up on Sunday Afternoon.

Dakota gets up on the line and takes on the Left lane with his New Green and Black livery the Kawasaki looks very cool as he awaits the right side track to get the go ahead and stage.

Now it is on, and as they get their machines ready, Dakotas’ Mum ‘ Jennifer Sun ‘ and I stand by the track to see how he gets on in the second round, this is a tight race but a good one.

Dakota does nothing but 100% and you cannot ask for more- so good job mate.

Not to be this time for Dakota, but last meet Kota won the final so sometimes you just cant win them all but this bike is brand new, so watch for many more wins from the Bronze Star Racing group as Dakota Kai and Aaron pine get set to take on all comers in the NHRA events and their schedule is a busy one.

I sure hope you can make it out to some of these races as they are family friendly and may even encourage you to race your machine as there is no feeling like this in the world as Drag Racing.

I always enjoy coming to all the races and seeing and hearing the Screams of the motors and the whole Ambience is just bitchin”.

I just want to thank Dakota and Aarons Sponsors for making all this happen:

Kawasaki USA Lucas oil Racing, MavTv, MTC, Shinko Tires, Penske Racing Shocks, Muzzy Performance, Proline Wraps Catalyst Racing Conponents. DME Racing.

Until the next time, look up the schedules for Fontana and Irwindale, as we would love to see you out here and support a fun event.

Dakota Wins at Irwindale Drags!

Posted on May 19, 2015January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

19 May

inflightuav.com Dakota Sun from bordhead on Vimeo.

AMERICAN DRAG from David Harry Stewart on Vimeo.

Dakota had a great Drag Meet this Sunday at irwindale for the Summit Series , his Bronze Star racing ZRX14 took the win all day and came home with another trophy for the cabinet.

A really good day was had by all as we supported Dakota and enjoyed to some great races.

Below Dillon Gives “Aaron pine” Dakota’s pops some advice on how to get a good start!

Weather stayed pretty good with some low clouds in the afternoon and slightly cooler temperatures which made for good racing.

Below “Aaron Pine” is all set as he makes a timed run down the strip, this bike is a consistent machine with many wins and championship titles too!

Troy takes another shot of getting his Suzuki dialed in, unlucky fella usually but this Sunday he put down the Rubber and managed some good times.

Kota Kai is all set as he is about to wring the neck of his ZRX14 out and hit the mid 5’s at Irwindale.

Dakota and Troy Line up, the tree goes and Kota flies off like a Bat out of the Proverbial hell and taking the light.

Flying French Man ” Le Top” Sits astride his Period Kawasaki as he gets to stretch his frog legs out, he is a fun and determined guy.

Le Top and Shorty go at it to set some good times and dial their machines in, weather was great but there were many Left lane clean ups.

Staging Lanes as Dakota and le Top have some friendly Banter in the staging lanes, Dillon is making sure air pressure is where it needs to be.

Shorty and Troy shoot the Breeze as they get ready to run on the 1/8th.

Below, Bob Pines -crew chief for both Dakota and Aaron makes sure all is well, as my buddies from the 59 Club, James Matz, Dietrick Flores and James O’Donnel enjoy this meet up.

Quite a few track clean ups all seemed to be on the Left lane too, this causes a few issues, like getting bloody hot on the staging lane whilst in full Leathers.

It can seem like a hours when you are waiting to get on the track but just part of the event sometimes.

Soon the clouds starting to come in a little bit for some cooler breezes which was much appreciated.

Le top the flying Froggy gets ready to do battle. ” Zis iz Fun”! He Replies!

Kota sporting one of my Nostalgic Tee shirts as they try and stay cool before the call to the strip.

This is always great to see when Dakota and his dad get to race each other, it goes to and fro sometimes and makes for entertainment.

Kota gets the right Lane and is hoping to get the old boy at the light.

Winner! As Kota schools his dad this time, but- there will be many more runs like this through the season and can go either way! Jennifer sticks her Thumb up to say good lad as her son gets one more win!

Aaron now out of the race this weekend sits and chin wags with the Wacky froggy of Le Top Racing, a fun guy for sure.

Troy gets another go at the track on his Suzuki. a little nervous but its great to watch.

Le Top gets ready to bung on his Skid lid, as Aaron politely tells him his tire is as much use as a french goalkeeper!

Le Top gets on the track and has a by- so an easy win for him but he now will get to the final.

Le Top gives it the Beans as he gets the Much needed by and gets into the finals easily.

Kota gets the Far lane as he takes on Troy and here they warm the tires up to get plenty of traction.

Dakota’s Grandad makes sure he is bang on the good part of the Track and gets set on the line.

Time to focus and get another win as Dakota is all set to hit the loud button and head for a 5.57 dial in.

Kota takes out troy and is now in the finals and against the Jolly Green Giant. Le top! As Aaron messes with his Dial in time on the ladder Bar!

All in good fun as both riders sit at the staging lanes, this is a great place to see all thats going on,

Time to get ready, as My girlfriend and Dakota’s Mum Jennifer Sun sits on the wall to give him some good luck with Taylor Kota’s girl to her right.

It is now Game Face time and the finals await for the Summit Series.

The countdown begins as they wait for the all clear to get on the tarmac and battle it out!

Troy looks down and wonders why his clutch hand didnt work as Dakota Schooled him.

So- Number 6 against number 7111 and it is a great day for it.

Kota looks up and see’s that they get he go ahead to suit and boot, now it is Game on!

Clouds helped the track to bring the temperature down and make the bikes breath a whole lot better.

Here we are then, time to warm the tires up and get ready for this great final USA V FRANCE!

Winner Winer Frogs legs Dinner, Kota takes the win on this epic day, well done mate.

On the center of the track as all Winners get a photo on the 1/8th here and what a Brilliant day it turned out to be.

Kota and the cup, he has more cups than a bra Factory and still only 20 years old!

Here are some super cool shots of Dakota that Adam LaVelle of Loose Nut Racing took at the track, great job Adam.

Great action shot here of Dakota racing full tilt against his dad “Aaron Pine” Always great to see these two race each other, last time his dad got him at the end, but not this race, Dakota ran the numbers and was on the Ball all day!

Another Superb Shot as Dakota Kai goes for the Win once more on his Bronze Star Racing group ZRX14 courtesy of Kawasaki USA!

Above Kota Kai with Grandad, grandma, and his dad as this Grease monkey Notches another win and gets the points he justly deserves in the Summit series.

Here we all are, we all support these guys and they do a super job, Drag racing is fun and still a family sport, come out and support when ever you can, its the best $5.00 you will ever spend and not many events you can get so close to the action as a spectator.

Above, Bronze Star Racing Group show their strength and you will see much more than this for certain as the series goes on.

It says it all LUCAS OIL who Sponsors Dakota and Aaron, have fantastic machines that get the job done, come out and watch for yourselves.

And Below, Dakota and Le top in the final as they are ready to hit the Throttle and get the win, kota get a great light and is bang on his numbers, Well done Dakota we are all so very proud of you mate.

Here is the Father Son Race and these always can go either way, this time Dakota takes the win.

Also here we have Le Top with a win against shorty running a 6:65 Dial in.

This time the next round I managed to just get with my Iphone was against troy and gotta smoked him!

Here we are with what I got on my Phone, Dakota and Le Top in the final, Kota gets the win and wins the Final, great job Buddy!
Le Top is a great guy but his frog legs just couldnt do it today!

A great day and well done to all that raced and thanks for everyone that came out to support this awesome Summit Series.

Dakota races at Irwindale and takes the Win!

Posted on April 15, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

15 Apr

Photo: Adam LaVelle

Some of the videos I took have not loaded for some reason, but I thinks its photo bucket, buy at least some captured for you to see at the lower end of this Blog.

Sometimes just refreshing the page will load the videos.

Well, some people are a little superstitious when it comes to any sport, Base Ball players do their little unwrapping of gloves and re-positioning of their cap etc, Super cross riders do their head shaking and goggle adjusting etc.

Now as today is the 13th, you’d think that our shop grease Monkey – “Dakota Kai Sun ” of Bronze Star Racing group- Would be doing an accumulation of that, as well as rubbing a Rabbits foot, kissing a baby, looking up the the sky for the great Gods of Maui for some higher than though luck.

But Kota just shrugs his 19 year old shoulders and says, ” I will take any lane, doesn’t bother me”

That is someone with not just drive and positive attitude, it is someone who has a passion in his sport and gives it 100% every time. Today was no exception and as me and Jennifer Pulled in to the Pits with Bailey with us for a little luck from us, we could see Dakota was already on the starting line and we watched him Blap a really good strong 5.45 second run for his Qualifying run.

A bit of a different set up for Dakota this time as Usually his Dad “Aaron Pine ” is there either Racing or wrenching for him, but Dakota’s Grandpa ” Bob Pine ” Was there as always to make sure all went well, Aaron was actually at Bakersfield with Dakota’s little Brother “Gavin” who at 8 years old has just started racing in his mini Dragster, so a Racing Family and quite rare to have all three racing and that will be happening in a few weeks time.

The bike was all set and ready and seemed to react well to the condition of the track- the weather is usually hotter than the inside of a Camels Guts when you get to the track and when we jumped out of the Van, it was actually a little cold, the temp was down and the bikes loved that ambient temperature and Dakota’s machine was definitley loving the cooler air.

Kota ran a strong and faster 5.41 on his second pass and the bike launched better than a Political lobby for a new president!

With a fast time and a really good 60 foot and reaction time, we could sense there was something in the air- was it Triumphantness ?

Or maybe our Bulldogs rear end as that seems to let go every five minutes these days. Turns out is was the Triumphantness- as Dakota ran on his first run on the Left Lane and took the win and the bike dug in and launched well, and this seemed to be a good day for this machine and of course for Bronze Star Racing group, Mav tv, Lucas oil, Shinko Tires and Penske suspension as this ZRX1400 was all go today.

More focus than a telescopes View finder- kota sets his eyes in the Christmas tree.

A quick rest under the easy up and then the next round was already here, they sat in the staging lanes for some time and the weather was slowly warming up, but its the same for everyone else and when the green light was given, Dakota headed for the staging lane.

Whoosh- Bang- Bing- Bong- Rock on- His Gone! Dakota takes the win once more, the bike is holding well and the clutch seems to be fine too.

Next time up came Dakota and some Older geezer who could easily be Chuck Lidells ( The Ice Man ) dad- On his Buell. No worries, the light was on and Dakota took of for the win once more!

Always focused and gets the job done to the best of his ability every time.

Kota’s mate Gage Berrara on his Ninja sits and awaits for the track to open.

In the staging lanes just waiting for the call to take it to the line.

Dillan, Cody, crew for Dakota whilst his Girlfriend Taylor gives him some support in the staging lanes.

And so, a great Sunday of Drag racing with some fun characters for sure.

The Flying frog is getting to be a known commodity at the track these days, Dakota had to race him in th4e Final at their last meet, the froggy can fly rather than hop!

TONY PALLATERA has won many championships and the bike is a missile, although he had a few issues with tire pressure in testing.

They both are up on the line and the froggy gets the win as matey cant get the bike off the line as he wanted to and the tire lit up.

The staging lanes show a Mixed bag of Brands of Motorcycles, from Buells to Busa’s and Irwindale is a really great place for the spectator, as they can get close to the Pitts and to the track too.

Qualifying passes are what gets the day started.

Bob ” POPS” Pine is Dakota’s grandpa and he sets him up on the track and make sure all is good for his run on the 1/8th.

Dakota is all set, great shot here of him all set to hit the loud button and run a mid 5 seconds pass.

Gage Berrara fires up his ninja and gets a run in.

Tony Pallatera was unlucky with his tire pressure and clutch today but- that’s Drag racing.

Irwindale is great for spectators as you can get so close to all the action.

The Little Buell that could, seemed to run well for an old bike and an older fella!

Kota and Kermit both have a go at the 1/8th mile.

2 Kwackers sit on the line, one new, one old, the Old one does not fair so well against Kota Kai!!!!!!

Dave Miller and his Squidster runs a By and this bike launches like NASA spaceship!

The Jolly Parisian comes back after kota shows him how its done, a fun guy, even for a Frenchman!

Dakota cruises back after the win and is as cool as a Eskimos out house.

Mr.Miller heads back for another round as he blasts through too!

Chuck Lidells dad suits up!

The lads have a chin wag in between rounds.

The infamous sign that you can see from the freeway!

Kota’s dial in time got lower than that too, this bike was doing great today!

OK- here we go, one more round and the Sun is coming out to warm up the track, its been remarkably cool today here!

The 2 youngest lads racing have a bit of a chin wag between rounds.

Staging lanes start to get a little hotter in the day.

Last minute checks and preps before kota takes to the 1/8th.

Lighting the tire up so traction is good and his grandpa Bob Pine makes sure he is all ready and lined up!

A great team and have proven to be a force to be reckoned with once all the ducks are in a row.

This Buell did itself a good turn today and he got the numbers in and sent Gage home!

Staying cool under pressure but this was a really good event for Dakota.

Final preps for the next round.

Pop’s Pine wished Dave Miller all the best as he gets ready to hit the tarmac once more.

This is a good fraternity to hang with and even though the racing is dead serious, there is always fun and laughter afterwards.

Dillon putting his back into it as he pushes Kota to the line.

Dave lights the tire up.

fresh paint must do something as he made the final!

Relaxed but focused on the next job at hand!

Dakota and Dave head back from their run with Dakota taking the win!

Kota shows his girl that this trophy has bling on it!

This is the view they they get at the line!

Kota and Taylor pose for some pics in the winners circle!

Dakota looking happy and wants to thank ALL his Sponsors. Shinko Tires, Lucas oil, Penske Shocks, MTC, Kawasaki and of course Bronze Star racing group, all added together, this makes for a winning combination.

Seven Triple One, thats Dakota Kai Sun, you will be seeing a lot of him, especially in the Summit class of the NHRA!

A great Sunday meet and always good to come to irwindale to watch the drags, you should try and make it as it is a blast!

The Flying frog tries his hand at running the numbers, but runs like an egg short of an omelet!

OK- here is some more video I did using my little camera, so you get to see what we did, this video is the froggy in the Left lane but doesn’t quite make the numbers.

Here we have the qualifying with Dakota and a long time friend gage, Kota is on his ZRX1400 and Gage on his Busa!

Kota is happy with the bike pulling mid 5 seconds.

Poor Gage has to run against the Buell and let the fella run 2 seconds ahead of him, that’s a hard chase.
Watch Gage as he lifts the front end on more than one occasion, bad luck mate.

Dakota into the next round with his win here over ” Tony Pallatera” but an issue with wheel spin shuts him out and Kota pulls hard into the lead and the win with a super time.

Dakota in the next round and this time against the Flying Frog, this could be a tight race, but kota gets the win and is through the the next round- GO Kota!!!

Dave Mad man Miller up against Former champ ” Tony Pallatera” but ” Tony” has issue in the first few feet and Mr. Miller takes the win and into the next round.

Dave Miller having a go with his Bike and just out of the paint shop, the three eyed red Squidster hauls some serious Arse!

Dakota runs against the old boy on his Buell, but- kota has to wait a full 3 seconds after Chuck liddels dad heads off, mid track i thought I heard the tire light up on the revs but kota ran it through and got the win!

The Final, I got this video of Dakota in the right lane against Dave miller another local racer and bloody fast too, this is a great match up and great friends too, but its a close race and kota does it and wins the final and the trophy!

Check Dakota’s reaction time.

Thanks again for all those who support our Team. Kawasaki Lucas Oil MAVtv Shinko Tires USA MTC Engineering LLC Muzzys Performance Catalyst Racing Composites DME Racing Penske Racing Shocks World Wide Bearings Proline Wraps Dynatek And Adam LaVelle

The final with Dave miller and Dakota

Other cool News is, I think this may be a first, but kota wins at Irwindale and his 8 year old Brother “Gavin”, takes the final in his first race at Bakersfield- Now that is a racing family.

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