With quick help and donations from unions, businesses and individuals, the drag strip at Maui Raceway Park is back in shape and drag races will go on this weekend.

Just two weeks after vandals wrecked and tore down racing structures at the Puunene track, leading organizers to think they might have to postpone this month's races, volunteers have helped put the structures back together again.

Ken Sylva, president of the Valley Isle Timing Association, which uses the drag strip, called the efforts of the volunteers and donors "unreal" and "unbelievable."

"Much mahalo to all these guys," he said Sunday.

Mark Caires, the association's treasurer, was impressed with the outpouring of support even during these tough economic times.

He said people drove to the track to drop off monetary donations. An 80-year-old neighbor of a drag racer gave $50.

"The community pushed us over the top. Without them no way we would be able to do it in this time frame," Caires said.

When the damage initially occurred, Sylva estimated that if the nonprofit association had to do its own repairs it would cost $40,000 and the work could have postponed races all this month and maybe for the rest of the year.

Last week, police Lt. Tim Gapero of the Criminal Investigation Division property crimes section said there were no leads on the culprits.

Gapero said a tractor that was stolen from a nearby field was used to knock down the structures at the track.

He said the owner of the tractor had reported it missing. The tractor was found in a field nearby. Those with information may call Maui CrimeStoppers at 242-6966. Callers to CrimeStoppers remain anonymous. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of people responsible for felony crimes.

The vandals wrecked five structures and tore down new fences. The association owns the structures and leases the area from the county. Other groups also use Maui Raceway Park, but none of their equipment sustained damage, association officials said.

Sylva said that the gate leading to the park, broken during the time of the vandalism, still hasn't been fixed.

On Saturday, a group of 30 to 40 volunteers showed up at the track.

They included a party from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186, which included electricians and apprentices.

"When things like this happen, we like to heal the wound," said union business representative Ray Shimabuku.

Shimabuku said they got involved with the help of Bill Kamai, Maui union organizer with the Hawaii Carpenters Union.

Kamai said he and his son, Kendl, went to help along with other union members and apprentices. Work included putting up back doors, replacing floors and reinstalling roofs.

Kamai said County Council Member Joe Pontanilla asked the union to help.

"It looks good," Caires said about the track. "Everything came out awesome."

Caires said the association had to tap into its savings, but it had very small out-of-pocket expenses for the repairs, which he estimated at around $2,000.

"So many people contributed in different ways," he said.

Races begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday and at 2 p.m. Saturday. A junior children's division is to race at the beginning of Saturday's event.

More Maui News at www.mauinews.com/.

Admission is $10 for adults; $8 for students and seniors; keiki 10 and below get in free. For more information, call 281-1273 or visit www.mrp.org.