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When a racer takes three race wins, a second place AND the 50-50 raffle drawing, you know he's had a darned good day.
That was David Newton on Saturday, April 15 at the ERCU Diamond Cup, presented by Hobby Chef Racing Team. Newton pretty much dominated the points race format at Lake Sacajawea, winning 1/10 scale vintage with Kerry Kjos' 1960 Miss Thriftway producing a perfect 1,600 point day. Newton also scored 1,200 points with his own 1957 Hawaii Kai III taking second in 1/10 scale vintage, even though the boat didn't run in the final. David's expertise also showed strongly as he won 1/10 scale modern and 1/7 scale vintage in perfect form. His 2003 Miss Budweiser (T-6) scored 1,600 points and the 1958 Hawaii Kai III scored 1,600 as well. Third place in 1/10 scale vintage went to Jay Fonville's 1963 Tahoe Miss with, 1,050 points. Second and third in 1/10 modern went to Tom Markos in his 2015 Graham Trucking (U-7, T-5) with 863 points and David Heilbrunn's 2021 Goodman Real Estate with 750 points, respectively. Second and third in 1/7 scale vintage went to Fonville's Kirby Classic (1,300 points) and Dennis Caines' 1968 Eagle Electric (919 points). Jerry Dunlap drove his 1986 Boat to the 1/10 scale classic championship by holding off Jay Fonville - who won the final heat with the 1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther - to take the points race win. Dunlap scored 1,300 points while Fonville scored 1,200 after a DNS in the first classic heat of the day. Third in 1/10 scale classic went to Tom Markos' 1976 Atlas Van Lines with 975 points. Bill Mowatt, who subbed for Craig Mullen driving the 1975 Pay 'n Pak at the Diamond Cup, also scored a perfect day to win the 1/7 scale classic/modern class after the 2021 Graham Trucking had troubles in testing and was withdrawn for the day, leaving just David Heilbrunn's 2021 Goodman Real Estate as 1/7 scale modern. Heilbrunn did score 1,200 points in the mixed class to take second overall. Third place in 1/7 scale classic went to Jim McKeon in his new 1980 Miss Budweiser with 225 points. Unlike the season-opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta, Diamond Cup weather was consistent all day as overcast skies did not drop any rain. Temperatures made it to the mid 50s. Race sponsor Hobby Chef Racing Team not only provided the portable restroom from American SaniCan, but also provided a delicious lunch, prepared on site, for all in attendance. Polish sausages & hot dogs bigger than the buns, with chili, grilled onions and all of the condiments were on the menu.   As we celebrate the club's 20th anniversary throughout the 2023 season, we'll take a peek back at club history, significant moments or even just some cool photographs from years gone by.
In the early years of ERCU, founding members Jim and David Lilly annually hosted a New Years Fun Run at their house on Shady Lake in Covington. During that time, club members frequently came together to show off projects in the works, bench race, and just enjoy fellowship with one another. There were even a few boats making it out on to the water for some mid-winter testing. In 2006, a total of 28 members, crew or friends of ERCU turned out for the New Years Fun Run! This tradition extended from the founding of the club through 2006. Perhaps it's something that should make a comeback!   As we celebrate the club's 20th anniversary throughout the 2023 season, we'll take a peek back at club history, significant moments or even just some cool photographs from years gone by.
Today, we highlight the first-ever newsletter. Just as the club was really beginning to gain steam in 2005, founding member Rick Lentz had the idea to begin putting together a monthly newsletter that would be distributed to members in PDF form via email. There were even a few copies printed out in hard copy each month to hand out at races. The first-ever edition was published in September 2005 highlighting the outcome of the Seafair Trophy Race on the cover. The complete edition can be seen by clicking here. Interesting to see that David Newton dominated the race back then, just as he does these days. It's also noteworthy that back in 2005, Kerry Kjos's 1960 Miss Thriftway made it to the final by winning the first consolation and moving into the main event as a trailer boat. That's something that's certainly changed.  The second race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Diamond Cup, set for Saturday April 15, 2023, at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the second event of the year.
Location Lake Sacajawea Park 1801 Nichols Blvd., Longview, WA 98632 Contest Directors Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos Context For a decade, the North Idaho resort town of Coeur d’Alene, played host to “Water Racing’s Greatest Show” – the Unlimited hydroplanes – starting in 1958. The Coeur d’Alene race always attracted a large crowd of spectators. And a lot of people from Seattle could be counted upon to line the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene for the annual Diamond Cup. In 2013, the race was reborn for another go with teams based in Madison, Ind.; Decatur, Ind.; Reading, Penn., and Seattle. Unfortunately, it lasted just one season. That race, over Labor Day Weekend, was won by the Indiana-based U-5 Graham Trucking which enjoyed its only perfect weekend of the season, on its way to the 2013 national championship with Jimmy Shane at the helm. The ERCU Diamond Cup has been run every year but three across the 20-year history of the club. The Diamond Cup is one of the club’s “nomad” races, having been run in numerous locations from Longview to Friday Harbor. Rick Lentz purchased and donated perpetual trophies years ago with the Lucite at the head of the trophy engraved with an image of the original Diamond Cup that was awarded in Coeur d’Alene in its early years. What to Expect (All times approximate, and subject to change)
2023 Rules There have been several changes to the rules for the 2023 season, so please review the rulebook as is posted on the ERCU website, available under the Resources tab (or by clicking here). Changes to the rulebook are noted in green bold italics, but it’s always good to read the whole thing just to refresh your own memory. The Contest Director/Chief Referee will make every effort to be sure that officiating is consistent with the rules as published on the website, and that every effort is made to assure consistency in officiating. Pre-Registration Pre-Registration for the Diamond Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/diamond-cup.html. There you will find the pre-registration link in a gray box just above the race site map. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., FRIDAY, April 14, 2023. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m. You can also find pre-registration by going to www.ercu-hydros.com, then selecting “Schedule” from the main menu, and clicking on “Diamond Cup” from the schedule itself. Race Day Morning It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9:30 a.m. Drivers Meeting The drivers meeting is for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Starting Clock A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl or other traffic on the water). A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Heat Draws Heat draws will be completed with the randomizer in our Excel workbook that’s used for scoring races. Every effort will be made to avoid preferred driver/spotter heat conflicts, but sometimes those cannot be avoided. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done. Race Officials
Diamond Cup Defending Champions
Race Format
Visiting Drivers ERCU always welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home ERCU perpetual trophies, in the event they win the race. Inspections In 2023, all boats will be inspected before the first race they run at. We ask that you print out the 2023 Hull Inspection Form, found on the Resources tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com), and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models. Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers, first connie and Triple Crown winners. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. Weather Forecast As of this writing, weather.com predicts cloudy skies and 61 degrees and 7 mph winds out of the south-southeast. This forecast will very likely change many times before the race, so please stay tuned for updates. Restrooms Hobby Chef Racing Team is providing a portable toilet, from American SaniCan, on site in the pit area. Electricity There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.  Nelson Holmberg's brand new 2022 Beacon Plumbing blows over in 1/10 scale modern 2C, a three boat heat that was shaping up to be a good one with representation from David Heilbrunn's Goodman Real Estate and Paxton Reunanen's Miss Homestreet Bank. Heilbrunn went on to win the heat. (Dennis Caines photo) An old axiom proved true again - as it always seems to - at the 2023 ERCU season-opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta, April 1 at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey.
"Spring in the Pacific Northwest: If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." That was definitely the case Saturday, as the day started dreary, chilly and wet. But as the front moved through, there was showers, sunshine, a little bit of wind and even hail. But none of that dampened the spirits of the drivers of 30 boats that participated in the Champion Spark Plug Regatta. Contest Directors Paul and Jerry Dunlap ran a flawless race that didn't feature any serious accidents, or other issues of concern. And everyone seemed to have a great time, despite the weather. As David Heilbrunn said it, "boat racing is a water sport!" On Long's Pond, Jay Fonville (1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther), Mike Hughes (1991 Winston Eagle) and Paxton Reunanen (1960 Miss Thriftway all repeated as Champion Spark Plug Regatta winners from last year. Hughes and Reunanen did it with perfect days, but Fonville fought off frustrations with his boat, finished second in heat 3A and won the 1/10 scale classic final. Mullen finished a pair of perfect days winning both the 1/7 scale classic title with his 1975 Pay 'n Pak, and the 1/7 scale vintage crown with his 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Holmberg lucked into a win in the 1/7 scale modern final with his 2021 Graham Trucking after gremlins got to the 2021 Goodman Real Estate. The two big modern hulls had competed well throughout the day, putting on good shows for spectators. Much appreciation is shared with not only the Dunlaps for their work as contest directors and as chief referees when needed, but also Hughes for serving as a chief referee numerous times throughout the day. Deep gratitude, too, for all of the members who lent a hand with set up and teardown of the club equipment and loading of the trailer after the event. ERCU exited Woodland Creek Park by 5 p.m. on Saturday thanks to everyone's help. The second race on the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Diamond Cup, Saturday, April 15 at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. |
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