KYLE SHIMIZU

easier to purchase someone ’ s turn-key operation that was already on Maui , instead of building and transporting something new , and found a ’ 23 Ford T-bucket Altered roadster for sale .

“ It had a big-block Chevy and ran 7.90s , so I figured I ’ d just detune it ,” explains Shimizu , who wound up doing the exact opposite as the prior owner convinced him to jump in and hit it with all the power off the line . “ It was crazy fast , comparatively . I spent a year getting comfortable so I wouldn ’ t hurt someone else while I learned to handle the Altered . I got the highest level of safety products they sell – thanks to Simpson Race Products for that !”

Shimizu made his first 7-second quarter-mile run in October of 2019 , and a best of 7.77 at 170 mph , but he was only able to attend two races with his “ Little Monster ” Altered after obtaining his license as COVID-19 hit in March of 2020 and shut everything down in Hawaii .

“ Our cousins have been incredibly generous letting us stay with them and helping so much ,” shares Shimizu , grateful for the assistance he ’ s received to ease the logistical difficulties as other racers often have to spend thousands to fly themselves and their cars from island to island just for one weekend . “ It ’ s still a bit of a struggle , though , if I have to do maintenance or tear down the motor . I fly over , take it apart , and fly back home .”

It ’ s definitely not an ideal scenario to island hop just to get to the track , but Shimizu refuses to let anything stand in his way and is making the most of the tough situation he ’ s been given .

Although he ’ s currently a sportsman in his endeavors , Shimizu does have a very serious doorslammer project he ’ s working on . “ It may take me years to get there , and I might fail and run out of money part way through ,” assesses the ambitious driver who maximizes his resources by buying take-offs and used parts , “ but I ’ m OK with that , because at least I can say I tried to chase my dream instead of just having talked about it .”

Shimizu idolizes drivers such as Erica Enders , Melanie Salemi , and Stevie “ Fast ” Jackson – three of the finest and fastest in drag racing . He hopes to follow their footsteps someday and is thankful for their continued advice .

As of April 2021 , the state of Hawaii is limited

to only three dragstrips : one each on the islands of Kauai , Maui , and the big island of Hawai ’ i itself ; racers on Oahu still remain without a place of their own .

For Shimizu , though , it ’ s more important to spend time with his father and make memories than it is to set records and win races and he wouldn ’ t trade the experience for all the success in the world . “ Getting to race with family is a dream come true ,” notes the young man .

His “ ohana ” attitude , combined with his passion for drag racing , guarantees that no matter what he winds up running , or where it takes place , Shimizu will find true satisfaction . DI

24 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 167