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 Takes the Win At Irwindale Drags!

Posted on July 14, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

14 Jul

Irwindale – Series Five of the Summit NHRA and Dakota is points leader right now!

Well, the morning when we got up I could tell that the temperature would be getting high, and sure enough, by 11am the ambient temperature was jumping high and I was sweating like a Duckling walking through a Ferrel cat housing project.

Dakota is leading the points right now and needs to do well once again and that’s no easy task as everybody that he races is fast and on the ball, so when we pulled up, Dakota had done a first run to check the bike and the times and was running well with a 5.72 1/8th mile on his ZRX 2014 Bronze star Racing group Kawasaki.

Flying his colors of all his sponsors, Kawasaki, Lucas Racing oil, Penske racing Shocks, MTC, Shinko tires, Mavtv- Kota was fairly upbeat with his times, just that the track temp was jumping up and the tire was lighting up in different places.

His Dad was racing too Aaron ” Twist of the Wrist” Pine and both on the same Factory machines, which is great to see.

The same for everyone else but this can be so frustrating to a rider as they constantly have to change tire pressure, clutch weights and of course suspension etc, so no 2 runs are usually the same as the day goes by.

Tony Pellatera gets all set with the flying froggy Le Top, Tony has been racing for many moons and he can light you so easy.

The Flying Froggy la top sits on his Classic Green Machine and is a fun guy who loves racing.

Tony was unlucky this weekend but racing can be cruel like that. Awesome machine that screams like a scolded cat!

Dakota and Le Top sit in the Sun and await the call as they are on the staging lanes and boy was it warming up, it was a dry heat today so if you can sit without your gear on for as long as possible was key here this weekend. Although Dillan should of worn pants looking by the amount of skin he was showing that day! Ha Ha.

The field was going through the traps quite fast so not too long of a wait in the Sun.

Aaron and pops await the call as the temps slowly start to creep up, like cheap Boxers!

Dave Miller was interested in a Yellow pink specked butterfly as he is quite the expert.

Dakota and Le Top sit and get ready for the race ahead, Kota dialing a 5.68.

The french Connection contemplates his chances against The Lucas oil machine.

Dylan forgot he had pockets .

Troy Gonzalez has a go, but had trouble on the line as he had a dry tire and lost a wee bit of concentration but a super nice guy and he loves to compete.

Tony Pellettera sits and awaits his fate against Dave Miller.

Aaron lighting it up.

The bike was almost the same as Dakota’s but had a little bit of tire slipping, and this is always frustrating, kota had that issue here a few meets ago but some ya win and some ya lose.

Tony and Dave get into the box and get everything set at the water box and now Game on!

Both these bikes are louder than pink sweaters and always great to watch compete.

All set as they stage and get ready for the fast Green light.

Dakota lights the tire up good and proper as he prepares to get the big W!

Kota in the right Lane and the flying froggy in the left, two Kawasaki’s get ready to do battle.

All set, all Focus and all Dakota this time!!!!!!

Number 6 the Flying froggy, Le top did well but had gear change issues quarter of the way up the track.

Below, Aaron comes back from his run and had no luck with the tire slipping.

Mr. Dave Miller on the one eyed Octo, gets another win!

Temps were picking up as the day got along.

Kota’s Dial in time for the next round.

Below, Dakota keeps a record of all times win or lose as this is always a great way of seeing how the set ups were on previous races etc.

Troy didn’t have a good meet this time but he will be sure to be back for the next one.

Dave Millers machine is consistent with a capital C.

All set to let the hammer down as he runs fast times once again.

Le Top takes a run to see how the bike is running as he went out against Dakota.

Kota runs well and gets the light and is on his way to the Final.

Is this weather gonna cool down?

Dakota compares timing slips to see if any adjustments need to be made.

OK its on like Donkey Kong, Dakota Kai and Dave Miller Battle it out in the Final, kota needs the win and wants to keep ahead in the points.

Trying not to get too hot as the time is coming close now for the Final Round.

Dylan check and sets the rear tire pressure as they now get ready to get this done!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner, Dakota Kai gets the much deserved win, a bloody good and close Race and so much fun to watch.

So it was actually a Lucky 13 today for Young Mr Sun, great job Lad!

Kota seems to be collecting more cups than a NFL laundry cleaner.

Dakota’s little Brother Gavin sits on his Dad’s bike, he is already racing and winning at 8 years old in mini dragsters, great racing family.

Someday Gavin, you can race ya dad and ya brother!

Dad and Gavin take a little ride.

Kota heads up to the track for the photos at the end of the day!

I took a shot of Gavin Staging himself on the Christmas tree light.

End of the day but a great result, next stop Fontana.

Taking a few shots before we all head home, it got bloody hot and was nice to be able to feel the breeze that started to come in.

Dakota and Dave, the finalists kick back and its all friends, this is a great series and the camaraderie is second to none, or in Dave’s case, Second to Dakota!!!

Group shot and a big thanks to Lucas Racing Oil, Kawasaki, MTC, Penski Racing shocks, Shinko Tires, Bronze Star Racing group, Muzzy exhausts for helping him get to another final.

On the Strip and enjoying the win is a great feeling.

A good ending to some tight racing.

A Fun team that gets results.

Hey Dad? You need a cap like me a Kota!

This was a great meet, try and come and watch, you are all welcome and this is a great sport to be into.

All smiles for a super result for the Bronze Star Racing group and all their sponsors.

Adam LaVelle takes many cool photos and poses with the lads.

Its all smiles as they soak up the win, the Sun and the sticky track.

Winner Winner, what’s for Dinner?

Kota running a 5.72 and getting the bike where he wants it.

Kota and Dave Miller in the Final

Now some great shots below from Adam Lavelle of Loose Nut Photography, he is always at the track and if you need a Portfolio to just some cool shots to send to Gran, this guy is a really cool fella and will hook you up with what ever you need. Don’t be afraid to speak to him, unless he is eating a Donut!

Great shot Below of Dakota and His old man Aaron ” Twist of the wrist” Pine.

Aaron lights them up to get a wee bit of traction, but alas, the tire slipped like a baseball outfielder on a rainy day. And Below Dakota does the same thing but he is lucky that his set up worked out for him at this meet.

Pops Pin and Aaron doing the High 5 as Dakota brings home the Bacon.

Back on the track, looks lonely out there but not for long as 5.71 Seconds flies by.

Here we all stood to be part of the day and a great result, boy do I love the drags!!!!

Was it a Hot day?

Shit Yeah!

Great Job Dakota! Now next week is Fontana, lets get this out of the way as its like a sauna there.

Watched a few cool rides race today too.

Yes please, I love the 55, even with the scratch down the right side.

An entertaining day for sure as for us, we got some cool sights and sounds of the City work guys that were rebuilding New Power cables and watched them dangling from helicopters in between race rounds.

Dakota Races at Fontana Drags this weekend

Posted on May 23, 2014January 30, 2020 by Steve Carpenter

23 May

Anyone around the Fontana area should see if they can make time to hit the Drag strip and wish our shop grease monkey- Dakota Kai Sun- all the very best as he runs not only against his pops ” Aaron “Twist the Wrist Pine” but many other super fast and cool people that will be running against him this weekend.

Dakota is still the points leader in the series and sure hope that he continues to be in top form as he goes up against the rest of the field on Saturday at Fontana in the NHRA Summit Series.

Below , Dakota lines up at irwindale to race his old man and both on their numbers too, this is always exciting to see these guys run and everybosy in the championship as racing is so tight.

I shall be there on Sunday with Jennifer Dakota’s Mum , come by to watch some brilliant racing, everyone is friendly and you can get so close to all the action.

Come see the speed these nutters get up to and wave on 7111- Dakota Kai Sun- to another great weekend of racing.

Where?

9300 Cherry Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
Phone: 909-429-5060
Email: dragway@autoclubspeedway.com

I would like to thank all his sponsers for giving him this great oppertunity.

Bronze star Racing group, Lucas Oil , Muzzys Performance, Shinko Tires, Penske suspension, Mav Tv, Kawasaki Motorcycles

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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