2025 ERCU Roger Newton Memorial – A Splash-Tastic Success!

LACEY — The 18th Annual Roger Newton Memorial made waves this year at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course! With 52 entries, the day was packed with thrilling heats, surprise flips, smoky motors, and enough hydro buzz to power a blender.

Lunchtime was a delicious pit stop thanks to Rachael, Larry, and Denise Goldman firing up the grill and serving hot dogs like true pros. The smell alone could’ve drawn in a whole new set of fans from across the lake!

Style Points Awarded!
This year featured a new crowd-favorite award: “Best Dressed”, honoring the racer who showed the most hydro spirit. The runaway winner? Paxton Reunenen, who pulled off not one, but multiple wardrobe changes — highlighted by a full-on Chip Hanauer racing suit and helmet. 

Toilet Trophy Time
As always, one of the most prestigious (or maybe infamous) awards of the day was the Toilet Trophy, given to the racer with the roughest luck. This year, Denise Sjostrom claimed the title when her gorgeous 1990 Oh Boy! Oberto hydro decided to go sightseeing and slammed the beach. Ouch.

Best of Scale Awards
Every year the top 3 scale boats in attendance are recognized.  It was a hard decision, but guest judge Rich Matkin deemed the following the true best of scale!

1. Mike McIntosh (Bob Van Den Akker) – Miss Seattle Too
2. Mike Dunn – Albert Lee
3. Gale Whitestine – Weisfields

Now… On to the Racing Recap!
1/10-Scale Modern

1. Mike Hughes – Winston Eagle
2. Paxton Reunenen – Graham Trucking
3. Nelson Holmberg – Flav-R-Pac

What started as a nail-biter turned into a smoke show — literally! Paxton tagged a buoy early, clearing the runway for Mike Hughes to take it from wire to wire… until his motor burst into a smoky finale. Nelson brought home third with a determined Flav-R-Pac charge.

1/7-Scale Modern/Classic

1. David Heilbrunn – Goodman Real Estate
2. Scott Whitestine – Notre Dame
3. John Havens Jr. – Miss Budweiser

David Heilbrunn had a hero’s arc — missing two heats, winning the connie, and jumping to the front line after Gale Whitestine’s dramatic flip. With wind gusts and boat breakdowns thinning the pack, David nailed the start and held off a relentless Scott for the big win! It is worth noting that the father/son duo Scott and Gale Whitestine ended the race day with the top 2 spots in points for the day in the 1/7th scale Modern/Classic class.  Way to go Whitestines! 

1/10-Scale Classic

1. Nelson Holmberg – Atlas Van Lines
2. Jim Hagan – American Speedy Printing
3. Dray Newton – Squire Shop

This heat was like hydroplane bumper cars — with penalties flying everywhere! In the end, Nelson Holmberg made a bold move to unlap himself and snatch victory. Shoutout to rookie Dray Newton, who lived up to his “Mr. Consistency” nickname, finishing every heat and nabbing his first trophy of the year!

1/7-Scale Vintage

1. Paxton Reunenen – Island Security Systems
2. John Havens Jr. – Miss US
3. Jim McKeon – Maverick

This class was STACKED . . . until the mechanical gremlins showed up. The race featured one of the most dramatic flips ever — Mike McIntosh’s boat performed a full 1,080-degree twist in mid-air! Sadly, no style points were awarded. With the wind playing spoiler, Paxton cruised to an easy win — then flipped during his victory lap. That’s commitment.

1/10-Scale Vintage

1. Nelson Holmberg – Pay’N’Save
2. Jim Latimer – Miss Moses Lakes
3. Chuck Murray – Savair’s Probe

Wind? No problem for Nelson, who sailed to his second win of the day like a hydro whisperer. Jim Latimer (repping Moses Lake) held strong in second, while Chuck and his zippy Savair’s Probe rounded out the podium.

New Faces, Same Hydro Fun!
We were pumped to welcome racers for the first time this year: Ron Daum, Mick Shutt, and Mike Dunn (who flew up from California — now that’s dedication). Thanks for making it an unforgettable event.
Already counting down to next year’s Roger Newton Memorial. Until then . . . keep the props spinning and the flips intentional!