RACE CIRCULAR: Season-Opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta set for March 30 at Elma

The first race of the 2024 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Champion Spark Plug Regatta, set for Saturday March 30, 2024, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the first event of the year.

Location:
76 Wenzel Slough Road, Elma, WA 98563
Elma, WA
 
Contest Directors
Jerry Dunlap, Paul Dunlap
 
Pre-Registration
Preregistration for the Champion Spark Plug Regatta is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to www.ercu-hydros.com/champion-spark-plug-regatta.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under 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, March 29, 2024. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Context
For many years the season opening event for H1 Unlimited was always he Champion Spark Plug Regatta.  18 of 20 ERCU seasons have also began with the Champion Spark Plug Regatta and this year is no different.  However, the site has changed for 2024 to Vance Creek Park, Elma in Grays Harbor County; 76 Wenzel Slough Road, Elma, WA 98563
 
What to Expect
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 of new boats and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m.

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20 to 30 minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Inspections
In 2024, all new 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.
 
Race Officials 

• Contest Directors: Jerry Dunlap, Paul Dunlap 
• Chief Referee (modern): Jerry Dunlap
• Chief Referee (classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (vintage): Craig Mullen
• Drivers Representatives: Paxton Reunanen & Rick Evans
• Pit Boss: Dennis Caines
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Race Format:

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.

• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.
• This is vintage Triple Crown Series event #1

 
Flight Schedule

• 1/10 scale modern
• 1/7 scale modern/classic
• 1/10 scale classic
• 1/10 scale vintage
• 1/7 scale vintage

 
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 time trials. 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.

Champion Spark Plug Regatta Defending (2023) Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 Scale Modern: Nelson Holmberg, 2021 Graham Trucking
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Jay Fonville, 1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther
• 1/7 Scale Classic: Craig Mullen – 1975 Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Craig Mullen, 1958 Hawaii Kai III

 
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.

Restrooms
There are public restroom facilities on site at Vance Creek Park and they are expected to be open.

Electricity
There is limited 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.

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 mostly mixed weather with a high of 65 degrees and 7 mph winds out of the northwest.

Pre-Registration
Preregistration for the Champion Spark Plug Regatta is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to www.ercu-hydros.com/champion-spark-plug-regatta.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under 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, March 29, 2024. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.