RACE CIRCULAR: Atomic Cup Set for Elma on September 28

The 12th and final points race of the 2024 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Atomic Cup. The Atomic Cup race is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for final event of this year.
 
Location
Vance Creek Pond #2 Boat Launch
Wenzel Slough Road
Elma, WA 98541
 
Contest Directors
Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos
 
Context
The Columbia River cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland first climbed on the Unlimited bandwagon in 1966 with the first annual Tri-Cities Atomic Cup. There had been talk of inviting the unlimiteds there as early as 1958. But 1966 was when it finally happened. Bill Brow was the winner that first year, driving Bernie Little’s Miss Budweiser. The race remained named the Atomic Cup until 1976 when it was renamed the Columbia Cup. In 2006, when the race lost its title sponsorship from Budweiser, the event was run as the Atomic Cup once again, but with the arrival of Lamb Weston as title sponsor in 2007, it returned to being the Columbia Cup. ERCU last raced in Elma in 2023 and before that, 2012 and 2013.
 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Course will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:20 a.m.
• Racing begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. (maximum of 10 minutes after drivers meeting)
• Three flights of heats for each division (1/10 and 1/7)
• First and second consolations (depending on boat count and attrition)
  • First connie winner is trailer in the final
  • First connie second place is alternate for the final
  • Second connie winner starts on the front line in first connie
• Winner-take-all final heats will be run for each class
• One minute-30 second start clock for all racing
• A 30-minute lunch break, with open water time, will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. A hot dog lunch will be provided by Hobby Chef Racing Team.

 
Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Atomic Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/atomic-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a gray box near the top of the page. Pre-registration will close at 11 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29. 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 “Atomic Cup” from the schedule itself.
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of the testing period. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Directors: Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos
• Chief Referee (modern): Jerry Dunlap & Jim Hagen
• Chief Referee (classic): David Newton
• Chief Referee (vintage): TBD

Atomic Cup Defending Champions

• 1/10 scale modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/10 scale classic: Jim Latimer, 1981 Spirit of the Air Force
• 1/10 scale vintage: Bill Mowatt 1968 Miss Bardahl
• 1/7 scale modern: David Heilbrunn, 2021 Goodman Real Estate
• 1/7 scale classic: Craig Mullen, 1975 Miss U.S. (owner: Denise Sjostrom)
• 1/7 scale vintage: Craig Mullen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (owner: John Sjostrom)

 
Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each.
• Winner-take-all final heats
  • Boats 1-5 are front line starters
  • First consolation winner is trailer in the final
  • Boats 6-10 qualify for first consolation and all start on the front line
  • Winner of the first consolation may move into the final heat as a trailer boat.
  • Second place boat in first consolation is alternate to the trailer in the final
• Flight Schedule
  • 1/10 scale modern
  • 1/7 scale classic/modern
  • 1/10 scale classic
  • 1/10 scale vintage
  • 1/7 scale vintage

 
Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once each day’s racing is complete. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. 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.
 
Restrooms
Restrooms are available in the park and are expected to be open.
 
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.