Windy, Wild & Winning: Reunanen, Dunlap Rule the Governors Cup at Waughop Lake

LAKEWOOD — The infamous “Waughop Winds” showed up right on cue at Waughop Lake, but the rain never really did — and that was more than enough for another action-packed day of racing at the ERCU Governors Cup at Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park.

Despite ominous forecasts leading into race day, ERCU racers and fans were treated to mostly dry conditions, with only the famous Waughop breeze making life difficult for drivers as the day wore on. Whitecaps, rough water, and shifting gusts tested even the most experienced hands, but the racing stayed sharp from the first heat to the final roostertail.

When the spray settled, two names stood above the rest: Paxton Reunanen & Paul Dunlap.

Reunanen powered to victories in three separate classes, continuing what has quickly become a breakout season. He claimed the 1/10 scale modern title aboard the thunderous 2004 Miss Budweiser (T-5), then added another win in 1/7 scale modern driving the sleek 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Not finished yet, Reunanen also took top honors in 1/10 scale vintage with the beautifully restored 1960 Miss Thriftway, owned by Kerry Kjos.

Meanwhile, Dunlap put on a classic hydroplane clinic of his own. He swept both classic divisions, piloting the 1971 Country Boy — owned by Tom Markos — to victory in 1/10 scale classic before climbing into Carl Lewis’s 1976 Miss Vernor’s to capture the 1/7 scale classic crown, winning despite starting as a trailer after the Vernor’s won the connie.

In 1/7 scale vintage, Scott Whitestine muscled the legendary 1962 Notre Dame through the rough water to earn the win in one of the day’s most entertaining finals where he and Mark Manchester, driving the 1966 Notre Dame battled deck-to-deck for most of the final heat before the 1966 ND crashed in the backstretch.

The biggest applause of the afternoon, however, may have been reserved for ERCU’s newest qualified driver. Congratulations went out to Alexandria Whitestine, who officially earned her qualification and will now take the wheel of the 2021 Graham Trucking. With another talented rookie joining the fleet, the future of ERCU racing looks plenty bright.

​By day’s end, racers were windblown, soaked from spray, and smiling anyway — exactly the way a Governors Cup at Waughop Lake is supposed to end.