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Club members have nominated six ERCU members for the 2021 ERCU Board of Directors Election.
Incumbents Jerry Dunlap, Rick Evans, Nelson Holmberg and David Newton have each been nominated and have accepted their nominations. Additionally, David Heilbrunn and Craig Mullen have accepted nominations. Balloting is now open for this year's election and will stay open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. Click here to vote in this year's ERCU Board of Directors Election. Sayres Memorial at Lake Sacajawea inspires wins for Dunlap, Murray, Reunanen, Holmberg and Sjostrom8/29/2021
  A nearly-perfect weather day brought out the best of ERCU during the 47th running of the Stan Sayres Memorial, presented by American Sani-Can.
The race, held at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview, highlighted some of the best competition of the year, and ran smoothly with lots of help from members in attendance. With sunny, 79 degree, skies and shade protection from the majestic oaks in the park along with a light breeze most of the day, the 21 members who brought a total of 35 boats out to the race were able to stay comfortable. As noted above, competition was good throughout the day, as one would imagine it would be by the ninth race of the 10-race season. When all of the wakes and roostertails subsided, the winners were decided, based on finishing order in each of the classes winner-take-all final heats. With just one withdrawal all day, we even had enough boats to run a connie in each class except 1/7 scale vintage. In 1/10-scale modern, Paul Dunlap drove Rick Evans' 2015 Dalton Industries to a perfect day that included the win in the modern final. With a maximum of just 2,100 points left to be earned this season, the Dalton wrapped up the season boat points championship. Dunlap's 1,469 point lead over David Heilbrunn in the modern driver standings, however, means the drivers championship is still up for grabs. Second place in the 1/10-scale modern final went to Ron Daum in the 2009 Grandview on the Lake while Heilbrunn was third in the 2019 J&D's. The winner of the modern connie, Joey Caines, driving the 2013 Graham Trucking, did not finish the final, while Chuck Murray's 2000 Miss Elam plus did not start. The best competition of the season in 1/7-scale modern happened at the Stan Sayres Memorial. Seven modern boats were on hand and all were very competitive. Newcomer Ron Hartley debuted in the 1974 Lincoln Thrift he had just previously purchased from Rick Lentz to get in a "test day" prior to the ERCU Gold Cup. He had a great time and left the park already looking forward to the Gold Cup in two weeks. Holmberg finished every heat in Gary Hansen's 1972 Notre Dame for the first time all season, recording a perfect day in winning the race. Second place in the final went to Craig Mullen, who finally got the bugs worked out of his 1975 Pay 'n Pak and third was Bordon, driving Holmberg's 2021 Graham Trucking. In a final where all five boats finished the heat, fourth place went to John Sjostrom in the 1982 Captran Resorts, which had won the connie and started as a trailer boat. He found a way to pass his wife Denise in the 1974 Miss U.S., which finished fifth. 1/10-scale classic had a wild day. Classic boats were very consistent, and competitive. Every heat had a different winner, and there were just three DNF/DNS all day. It wasn't until the classic connie that the class saw a repeat winner on the day. Gerry Bordon's 1974 Miss U.S. won in heat 3A, then won the connie and started the final as a trailer boat. Following Murray's Miss Houston across the finish line was Reunanen's 1979 Squire Shop in second. Third went to Jay Fonville's 1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther, fourth to Bordon, and fifth to Brad Lewis in the 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, which led early, then hit a hole, dove in nose first, and had a tough time getting back on plane before finishing the race. The 1/10-scale vintage boats, too, were really consistent all day. Just three DNF/DNS until the connie when two of the five did not start, and two in the final didn't finish. Bordon, Lewis and Bill Mowatt each had two first place finishes in the preliminary heats, while Reunanen provided a steady hand subbing in the seat of Kerry Kjos' 1960 Miss Thriftway, taking a first and two seconds in the prelims before winning the final. Bordon was second in the final with his 1970 Parco's O-Ring Miss, followed by Fonville in the 1963 Tahoe Miss. Those who didn't finish the final were Mowatt with Evans' 1968 Miss Bardahl and Lewis with the 1962 Miss Supertest. The last race of the day was the 1/7 scale final, which featured three boats after Joey Caines needed to withdraw Aaron Olson's Lil' Buzzard due to radio issues. Terry Harmer jumped to an early lead with his 1986 Miss Bahia, but after not finishing the heat, John Sjostrom took the checkered flag first in his fast 1960 Miss Thriftway. Second went to Denise Sjostrom in her beautiful 1980 Evergreen Roofing. In recognition of the memory of Stan Sayres, John and Diane Earnest brought along a number of items for participants to enjoy while considering the memory of Sayres. There was 1/10 scale model of the Slo-Mo-Shun V built by John, an actual propeller used during testing on the Slo-Mo, and photo albums full of great memories of the early days of three-point hydroplane racing. All in all, it was a really fantastic day of racing. The help and participation by all in attendance was deeply appreciated. It is, again, the time of year when ERCU begins the process to elect members of its board of directors.
The first step, of course, is nominating ERCU members to run for election. As such, there is a nomination form posted on the club’s website. Nominations have been closed for the 2021 ballot. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, and can also be made in person at the Stan Sayres Memorial in Longview. On Sunday, Aug. 29, an online ballot will be posted on the club’s website for members to select four members of the seven-person ERCU Board of Directors. Those with expiring terms this year are Jerry Dunlap, Rick Evans, Nelson Holmberg and David Newton. If a member prefers a paper ballot, one may be requested during the ERCU Gold Cup on September 11 in Lacey, or requested via U.S. mail. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, and the election results will be announced shortly thereafter. The ERCU Bylaws state that the board secretary shall tally the votes, unless that person is up for election, in which case the board shall appoint another board member to conduct the counting of ballots. This year, the club’s treasurer Ron Daum, will tally the votes. With just two races left in the season, it's time to start planning our End of Season awards and celebration. The board of directors has discussed a couple of ideas, and we're interested in feedback from members before making a final decision. Idea #1: Resume the End of Season Banquet where we reserve a banquet room in a restaurant to have dinner together. There would also be a guest speaker invited - probably a driver, crew chief, owner or official from the H1 Unlimited ranks. Spouses/partners/kids would be invited to join the event as well. It could be an opportunity to not only celebrate a really great season, but also to thank our family members who put up with all the time we spent on our racing efforts. Idea #2: Repeat the way we did it in 2020 where the End of Season Awards were announced and virtually presented to the winners on a Zoom meeting open to anyone who would like to attend. A "virtual happy hour" would be a part of this event, giving time for some social interaction. At the Champion Spark Plug Regatta, in spring of 2022 at Centralia, the club would purchase lunch for all attendees, take an extended lunch break and physically present the 2021 awards to the winners. If you would please vote in the below non-binding advisory poll, your valued opinions will be considered by the board before finalizing any decision about the End of Season Celebration.  Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Washington
Closest address (for GPS) 1701 Nichols Blvd., Longview, WA The eighth race of the 2021 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Stan Sayres Memorial, set for Saturday, August 28 at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Contest Director Nelson Holmberg Context of the Stan Sayres Memorial At 47 years, the Stan Sayres Memorial is the "world's oldest and greatest RC Scale Unlimited Race". Started in 1974 by Roger Newton and Monte Steere, the race has been contested in Seattle Model Yacht Club and in RC Unlimiteds before finding itself a home in ERCU. The only year the race was not run was 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused half of the ERCU racing season to be canceled. This year's race will be a renewal to ERCU as the event will be run at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Stanley “Stan” St. Claire Sayres (1896-1956) was a hydroplane racer who broke the world water speed record with his "Slo-mo-shun IV". Sayres was born in Dayton, Wash. in 1896, and studied at Whitman College in Wall Walla before entering the U.S. Army in 1917. After World War I, he ran his own car dealerships in Walla Walla and a second one in Pendleton, Ore. By 1931, when he moved to Seattle, he owned five car dealerships. Together with Harry Jensen he founded the successful company Jen-Cel-Lite, which made sleeping bags using cellulose for insulation. Harry's brother Tony owned Jensen Motor Boat Company, and this sparked the interest in motor boat racing Sayres would have for the rest of his life. What to Expect
Pre-Registration Pre-Registration for the Stan Sayres Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/stan-sayres-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just underneath the race site map. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. You can also find pre-registration by going to www.ercu-hydros.com then selecting “Schedule” from the main menu, and “Stan Sayres Memorial” from the schedule itself. Schedule It is our intent to have the course open by 7:30 a.m., so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. With the possibility that there may be new boats that need to be inspected or rookie drivers who may need to take a driving test, please plan to arrive early on Saturday morning. The water will be open for testing until 9 a.m. A mandatory driver’s meeting will start at 9:05 a.m. Drivers that do not attend the meeting will not be allowed to participate in the first round of heats. 1/10-scale modern heat 1A will begin at 9:30 a.m. 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. Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats and be ready when the chase boat comes back. When all drivers are at the driving area and boats launched/ready to launch drivers the 1:30 clock will be started. Drivers Meeting The Drivers Meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin immediately upon the closing of testing at 9 a.m. Drivers who are late to the drivers meeting, or do not attend, will NOT be drawn into the first heat – regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. First heat will begin at 9:30 a.m. A Drivers Rep and Pit Boss should also be named at the Drivers Meeting. If a Drivers Rep is not named at the Drivers Meeting, the Contest Director(s) shall be the Drivers Rep. Rookie/Guest Drivers ERCU always welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. If a rookie driver needs to be qualified, we will close the course during the test session for the rookie driving test as often is as necessary. The full procedure for rookie qualifications, and for visiting drivers, is in the rulebook by clicking here). Stan Sayres Memorial Defending Champions Modern: JimmeJames Cusworth, 2011 Valken Vintage: JimmeJames Cusworth, 1969 Miss Schweppes Race Format
o 1/7-scale modern, vintage heats o 1/8-scale heats (1/8 scale will not be scored; and there are no entry fees or registration necessary for 1/8 scale)
Post Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation Following the conclusion of the final heat of the day, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the podium (first, second and third place) finishers. After the awards are presented, please remember to stick around to help cleanup and re-pack the club trailer. Weather Forecast As of this writing, the weather is expected to be 79 degrees and sunny in Longview. Covid Notice Effective June 30, 2021, all counties in the State of Washington have been allowed to re-open with some masking and physical distancing required for those who are not fully vaccinated. ERCU has adopted a policy that those who are fully vaccinated may participate without face coverings and physical distancing. Especially given the recent dramatic rise in cases, those who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue use of facial coverings, in accordance with state and local requirements. Restrooms The public restrooms in Lake Sacajawea Park are expected to be open, however, ERCU has made arrangements for a portable toilet to be available on site. We are working to get this sponsored for the Stan Sayres Memorial. However, there may be a $5 per attendee subsidy requested to help offset the cost of the Sanican. Electricity There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source to charge your batteries if you need to charge during the day.  GISSBERG TWIN LAKES PARK
16324 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville, WA 98271 The eighth race of the 2021 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Governor’s Cup, set for Saturday, August 14 at Twin Lakes Park (North Lake) in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the eighth event of the year: CONTEST DIRECTORS Kelly Gruol & Mike Hughes CONTEXT OF THE GOVERNOR'S CUP This will mark the 10th running of the ERCU Governor’s Cup. It is modeled as a recognition of the Indiana Governor’s Cup, run for 50 years in Madison, Indiana. The real race is typically held the first weekend in July and is the city of Madison’s celebration of Independence Day. Madison has hosted its regatta on the Ohio River annually since 1951. Hollywood recognized Madison’s love affair unlimited hydroplane racing in 1999 when the movie “Madison” starring Jim Caviezel was released. Informal racing took place in Madison as early as 1911, but the first major race didn’t occur until 1929 when the now-defunct Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association conducted a race for the 724 cubic inch class, which evolved into the unlimited class after World War II. The MVPBA conducted the Webb Trophy – the MVPBA equivalent of the APBA Gold Cup – at Madison in 1930. The unlimited races at Madison in 1950, 51, 52, and 53 were one-heat multi-class free-for-all affairs. They did not count for national high points. In 1954, the unlimited finally raced for national high points in Madison. This largely came from the efforts of Madison Courier columnist Phil Cole. Madison then had an uninterrupted string of high points unlimited races through 2012, when not even sweltering temperatures could stop teams from racing on the Ohio. In 2013, the races were canceled because of flooding on the Ohio that covered the pit area. Land-based events associated with the regatta went on as scheduled, and teams opened the boats and haulers to the fans for up-close views of the fleet and meet-and-greet opportunity with the crews, drivers and owners. The 2017 race was conducted, but only as a four-boat exhibition. Jimmy Shane, driving the Miss Madison Racing Team’s Oberto was declared the unofficial winner of the event, which did not count as an official win. As depicted by the movie “Madison”, the city also hosted the APBA Gold Cup in 1971, when Miss Madison Racing Team won its first-ever APBA Gold Cup, with Jim McCormack driving. Miss Madison Racing – running as the Goodman Real Estate presents Homestreet Bank – won the 2021 APBA Gold Cup and Governor’s Cup, providing proper celebration of the event’s 50th Anniversary. WHAT TO EXPECT
PARKING Parking inside Twin Lakes Park, nearest the racing area at North Lake is limited to three cars, as well as any vehicles with current disabled parking placards. The rest of us are allowed to drive in to unload before the event and load up after the event, with a maximum of three cars at a time. In order for those who wish to drive in for unloading and loading to know whether or not they will exceed the Snohomish County Parks limit, we will be using three batons. The batons are to be passed much like a relay race. These batons will be placed at the entry gate to be picked up. You must have a baton in order to drive in. Upon leaving, please pass the baton to the next waiting driver, or leave it at the entry gate. Please be diligent about ONLY unloading when you drive in, as others will be waiting their turn. Simply unload your vehicle, return it to the parking area, walk back and THEN set up your pit area. Same for loading at the end of the race. Please break down your pit area and get it ready for loading BEFORE bringing your vehicle back into the park. Jerry Dunlap will set and take down the race course, so he will be permitted to park full-day inside the gate. Bill Mowatt is pulling the trailer, so he too, will be permitted to park full-day inside the gate. PRE-REGISTRATION Pre-Registration for the Governor’s Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/governors-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just underneath the race site map. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. You can also find pre-registration by going to www.ercu-hydros.com, then selecting “Schedule” from the main menu, and “Governor’s Cup” from the schedule itself. SCHEDULE It is our intent to have the course open by 7:30 a.m., so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. With the possibility that there may be new boats that need to be inspected or rookie drivers who may need to take a driving test, please plan to arrive early on Saturday morning. The water will be open for testing until 9:00 a.m. STARTING CLOCK A 1:30 clock that starts when all drivers are at the driving area will be used for the full day. The clock will start as soon as all drivers indicate to the Chief Referee that they are ready and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety -- including waterfowl or humans who are in unauthorized boats/floatation devices on the North Lake. Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats -- including knowing who your spotter will be -- and be ready when the chase boat comes back. When all drivers are at the driving area and boats launched/ready to launch drivers the 1:30 clock will start. DRIVERS MEETING The Drivers Meeting is mandatory for all divisions and classes and will begin upon the closing of testing at 9 a.m. Drivers who are late to the drivers meeting, or do not attend, will NOT be drawn into the first heat – regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. First heat will begin at 9:30 a.m. A Drivers Rep and Pit Boss should also be named at the Drivers Meeting. If a Drivers Rep is not named at the Drivers Meeting, the Contest Director(s) shall be the Drivers Rep. GOVERNOR'S CUP DEFENDING CHAMPIONS (2019) Modern: Gerry Bordon, 1973 Red Man Too (Owner: Rick Evans) Vintage: Robbie Roberts, 1971 Hallmark Homes RACE FORMAT
- 1/7-scale modern, vintage heats - 1/8-scale heats (1/8 scale will not be scored; and there are no entry fees or registration necessary for 1/8 scale)
WEATHER FORECAST As of this post, the weather is expected to be 84 degrees and sunny in Marysville. COVID NOTICE Effective June 30, 2021, all counties in the State of Washington have been allowed to re-open with some masking and physical distancing required for those who are not fully vaccinated. ERCU has adopted a policy that those who are fully vaccinated may participate without face coverings and physical distancing. Those who are not fully vaccinated are asked to continue use of facial coverings, in accordance with state and local requirements. RESTROOMS There is a portable restroom near the entrance to the park. The public restrooms may be open also, but there is no guarantee. ELECTRICITY There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source to charge your batteries if you need to charge during the day. ERCU now has a Competition Committee. Built with the intent to modify and interpret rules, and create competition directives to clarify rules and suggest rule changes to the board and membership in the offseason, the committee — by design — will not have any board members in its ranks. Many thanks to Gerry Bordon, Brian Buaas, David Heilbrunn, Mike Hughes, and Craig Mullen for agreeing to serve on this committee. Gerry has also agreed to chair the committee, and we’re grateful for that.
The Competition Committee is created by the ERCU Board of Directors, in accordance with the ERCU Bylaws to establish, maintain and regulate safe and fair competition. Specific duties and responsibilities of the committee are determined by the ERCU Board of Directors. ERCU’s process for modifying and interpreting rules is systematic and consensus-oriented, resulting in competition directives and recommendations to the board of directors – and eventually the full membership – for consideration of permanent change in the rule book. The Competition Committee reviews all competitive aspects of the sport – including (but not limited to) racing rules, protests, and regulations. The committee’s authority includes the ability to issue a Competition Directive to clarify, interpret, or improve a rule. The committee’s deliberative process may take into consideration input of national and regional experts. A Competition Directive made during the racing season will be done with the intent to amend, clarify or interpret a rule. The Competition Directive shall become effective upon the date of the decision, regardless of when club members receive actual notice. A Competition Directive may be formulated at a race site verbally but must be written and submitted to the board of directors and posted on the website within 24 hours of the decision. The ERCU Board of Directors shall act upon recommendation from the Competition Committee to prohibit the use of any part, component and/or system it deems would give a boat an unfair competitive advantage. The Competition Committee will meet as needed – either in person, via telephone/email/or virtual meeting – during the ERCU racing season. In compliance with the ERCU Bylaws, the board of directors created the committee, and recruited the members to serve on the committee. There shall be no board members on the Competition Committee. The committee shall have a minimum of three, and a maximum of five, members seated at any given time. 2021-22 Competition Committee Members
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