The Mana Drag Racing Strip Improvements project has recieved the 2015 ASCE Hawaii Section Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Best Small Project Award.
Congratulations to HAPI members The Limtiaco Consulting Group, Inc. and Grace Pacific, LLC for their efforts on this project. Other team members include the general contractor Jennings Pacific, LLC, and the owner, the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Mana Drag Racing Strip (MDRS) located at the Kauai Raceway Park, is one of the few remaining drag racing strips in the state. At speeds exceeding 120 MPH, the aging and deteriorating pavement at MDRS was to the point where safety was of concern. With the assistance of the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Garden Isle Racing Association (GIRA), a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers, proposed to reconstruct the drag strip at MDRS. The Limtiaco Consulting Group (TLCG) was tasked to design the proposed improvements for the 3/4 mile long drag strip.
Unlike best practices for the paving construction industry, TLCG had to adhere to strict design standards and pavement tolerances specified by the National Hot Rod Association for this Mana Drag Strip Improvement project. The one-half mile section of asphalt pavement had to sustain its drainage capacity while maintaining a 1% maximum cross slope. It required strict construction tolerance and quality control – a 1/16 inch variance along a 10-foot straight edge. At 120 mph, a 1/8 inch dip or 2% crowned pavement section can have serious detrimental effects on vehicle performance. To ensure compliance, new QC methods had to be developed to meet the national requirements.
On the weekend of July 4, 2014, the Mana Drag Racing Strip was reopened to the public and the first race of the season was a success. The improvements garnered complements from seasoned race goers as the flatter, smoother, and ultimately faster track surface was a stark contrast to the previously aging track. Successful completion of the project attracted the attention of not only local drag racers but the NHRA, with Kauai Raceway Park receiving an award for the Most Improved Facility in the Pacific region.
Click here for a Summary of Project Merits and click here for additional information about the project.
About the OCEA Award:
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) annually recognizes an exemplary civil engineering project as the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement. Established in 1960, this prestigious award honors the project that best illustrates superior civil engineering skills and represents a significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society. Honoring an overall project rather than an individual, the award celebrates the contributions of many engineers.
Photos:
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- Existing Track Condition: Grass/Weeds growing through numerous cracks.
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- Existing Track Condition: Concrete patches along track length.
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- Pouring of concrete launch pad: Night work to accommodate site conditions.
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- Checking loose AC with 3- foot digital level prior to rolling.
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- Pavement installed using the tried and true “String Line” method.
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- Verifying pavement lift thickness prior to rolling.
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- Completed Track Improvements (Concrete Launch Pad).
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- On Your Mark, Get Set,… Governor Abercrombie gives the green light.
