Race Circular: Jack Regas Memorial

The sixth race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Jack Regas Memorial, set for Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Waughop Lake in Lakewood. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the sixth event of the year.
 
Location
Waughop Lake/Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Ave SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
 
Contest Directors
Jerry Dunlap & Bill Mowatt
 
Context
This race had been known as the ERCU Apple Cup since its inception in 2010, when Ben Keller created the event, complete with an exhibition race drawing as many boats as possible that ran in the 1957 Apple Cup in Chelan, Wash., to recreate that final heat. After Jack Regas passed away in early 2014, Keller requested permission from the ERCU Contest Board to change the name of the event to the Jack Regas Memorial, in honor of the onetime Hawaii Kai III driver, who had not only met with Keller to see his models of the “Pink Lady”, but also followed the boat’s seasons in ERCU and ESU. After ERCU high points championships in 2011 and 2012, Keller presented Regas with plaques commemorating the wins. Jack Regas meant a lot to not only the Hawaii Kai history, Keller, and Choral Enterprises, but also to unlimited hydroplane racing in general. ERCU is proud to have an event named for his memory.
 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:15-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:10-9:20 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
• Final heats will be run for each class
• One minute-30 second start clock for all racing
• A 30-minute lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Members should provide their own lunch.

 
Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Jack Regas Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/jack-regas-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the race site map. Pre-registration will close at 6 p.m., Friday, June 23. 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 “Jack Regas Memorial” 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: Jerry Dunlap & Bill Mowatt
• Chief Referee Modern: Jerry Dunlap
• Chief Referee Classic: Ron Daum
• Chief Referee Vintage: Rick Evans
• Drivers Representative: TBA
• Pit Boss: TBA
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Jack Regas Memorial Defending Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Chuck Murray, 2000 Miss Elam
• 1/7 Scale Modern: Paul Dunlap, 2021 Graham Trucking
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Houston (Owner Chuck Murray)
• 1/7 Scale Classic: Craig Mullen, 1975 Pay n’ Pak
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1963 Coe-Z-Miss
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Jay Fonville, 1975 Kirby Classic

 
Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each. Connies and winner-take-all finals.
• First and second connies for each class (depending on total boat count and attrition).
  • Boats 6-10 in cumulative event points qualify for the first connie.
  • First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer boat. Second place in first connie is alternate in the final.
  • Boats 11-15 in cumulative event points qualify for the second connie.
    Second connie winner advances to the first connie as a front starter.
• Final heat with top five boats in each class, plus the connie winner as a trailer starter.
• Flight Schedule
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale modern
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale classic
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale vintage

 
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
The forecast for the Jack Regas Memorial is mostly cloudy skies and 76 degrees with a 8 mph breeze out of the northwest and a 24 percent chance of rain.
 
Restrooms
Public restrooms are available on site, at the east end of the parking lot.
 
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.