Barber’s Point Naval Air Station, Oahu, Hawaii August 13, 2000
Coming back to Barber’s point for autocross was a bit of a homecoming for me. I was lucky enough to have grown up in Hawaii. It was on the streets of Honolulu that I learned to drive, and on the old runway at Barber’s Point Naval Air Station that I really learned how to handle a car. The local SCCA chapter has a long history of using some of the old WWII vintage runways here. Back in the 1960’s, Peter “Revvie” Revson got started in the sport with autocross at Barber’s Point and Bellows airfield on Oahu, so I figure this is as good as a place as any to hone one’s skills. After 5 years of SUV ownership, I returned to sports cars about a year ago, and have been enjoying it tremendously ever since. Being able to autocross at Barber’s point has really taken the experience “full circle” for me. Meeting new friends makes the experience that much better.
	Jerry Balcer, Hawaii’s first NSXCA member, came by in his brand-new Acura CL type S. You may remember Jerry from last year’s NSXPO, when he had his Blue ’97 NSX-T shipped to San Francisco for the event! Now, that’s what I call way cool! Jerry heads the Hawaii chapter of the NSX club’s Southwest Region. Click here to and here see a couple of the past Hawaii NSX events.
Meet Colin & Franceen Sato. Colin is one of Hawaii’s top Honda / Acura guys. Not only is he the internet sales manager at the Honda Hawaii Website, but he is a real enthusiast, and the editor of Huila, the SCCA Hawaii Region newsletter. What’s more, Franceen runs the timing computer and is in charge of compiling and publishing everyone’s times. As if all of that was not enough, both Colin and Franceen regularly drive their S2000 in these monthly autocross meets!
The turnout for these monthly autocross meets has been growing by leaps and bounds as of late. Where there had traditionally been 30 or so cars show up, the last several months has seen attendance grow to 90-100 cars. Today was no exception, despite the early morning showers.
The first order of business at the driver’s meeting is to hand out the trophies from last month. Here, Colin picks up his for first place in the “A-Stock” class.
The lineup for the second heat. As an added incentive to look good, these autocross meets are now regularly televised on the local cable-access channel 52 in Honolulu, the following Tuesday night at 7:30 P.M.
The 911 takes off with an enthusiastic flag-waiving dance from the starter.
Colin getting psyched for his third run of the day. Gabe Hanohano, an enthusiastic novice driver waits by his brand-new Ford Focus in the background.
Out at speed, swishing through the cones, Colin is watching his line.
Jerry, Marc & Colin after a successful and tiring day of autocross.
Aloha!