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Race Eight: Governor's Cup set for August 13

7/19/2022

 
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The eighth race of the 2022 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Governor’s Cup set for Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022 at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park (north lake) in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the eighth event of the year.
 
Location
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park
16324 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville, WA 98271
 
Contest Director
Ron Daum
 
Context
The Indiana Governor's Cup (more commonly known as the Madison Regatta) is an H1 Unlimited hydroplane boat race held annually on Independence Day weekend on the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana. Madison has hosted the Madison Regatta annually since 1951, although the race was also contested in the 1930s. The Regatta was part of the APBA Gold Cup in 1979, 1980. 2019 and 2021.
 
Informal racing took place in Madison, Indiana as early as 1911. But the first major race didn't occur until 1929. That was when the now-defunct Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association conducted a race for the 725 Cubic Inch Class, which evolved into the Unlimited Class after World War II. The MVPBA conducted the Webb Trophy at Madison in 1930. The Webb Trophy was the MVPBA equivalent of the APBA Gold Cup—their top award.
 
The 725s raced at Madison throughout the 1930s until the disastrous Ohio River flood of 1937 and World War II brought down the curtain for a while.
 
The current series of regattas in Madison began in 1949. This was a "wildcat" race, administered by the Ohio Valley Motor Boat Racing Association of Cincinnati. The largest class present was the 225 Cubic Inch Class.
 
The first Unlimited race took place in 1950. The Unlimited races at Madison from 1950 to 1953 were one-heat multi-class free-for-all affairs. They didn't count for National High Points.
 
The first High Points Unlimited race at Madison occurred in 1954. This came about largely through the efforts of Madison Courier columnist Phil Cole (A High Points Unlimited race must be scheduled for a minimum of two heats with at least four boats making a legal start).
 
Madison had an uninterrupted string of High Points Unlimited races every year from 1954 through 2012. The 2013 races were canceled because of flooding on the Ohio that covered the pit area, although the land-based events associated with the regatta went on as scheduled.
 
The Madison committee is the longest continuously active Unlimited committee in the country. Madison Regatta, Inc. (formerly the Madison Boat Club) has hosted the Unlimiteds every year since 1950 (except in 2013 and 2015 because of river conditions). Seattle didn't start until 1951. Detroit has been on the circuit since 1946, but with four different committees.
 
Parking Details - IMPORTANT
Only three vehicles are allowed beyond the gate at a time to unload. To enter, you need to have one of our three batons. If none are hanging on the gate post, wait for someone exiting to park and pass one of the batons to you.
 
Exceptions: the trailer-hauling vehicle and those with valid state handicapped parking permits are allowed to enter and remain without a baton.
 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)
  • No vehicles can load to depart until the last heat has been run and awards have been presented.
  • Winner-take-all final heats.
  • Race 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 consolations (depending on boat count and attrition)
    • First connie winner is trailer in the final
    • First connie second place is alternate for the final
  • Final heats will be run for each class.
    • Finals will be five boats on the front line and a trailer.
  • One minute 30 second start clock for all racing.
  • A lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Lunch for all drivers will be provided by John & Denise Sjostrom.
  • Awards will be presented following the conclusion of the final heat of racing. Please stick around for the awards presentation and celebrate your fellow racers.
 
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 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, AUGUST 12. 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 “Governor’s Cup” from the schedule itself.
 
Schedule
It is our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m., so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event.

The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. A mandatory driver’s meeting will start no less than 5 minutes after the water closes. Drivers who 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 within 10 minutes of the conclusion of the drivers meeting. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
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 (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed with the randomizer in our Excel workbook that’s used for scoring races. Every effort will be made to avoid preferred driver/spotter heat conflicts, but sometimes those cannot be avoided. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible.
 
Race Officials
  • Contest Director: Ron Daum
  • Chief Referee: Ron Daum
  • Drivers Representatives: David Heilbrunn & Nelson Holmberg
  • Pit Boss: TBA at drivers meeting
  • Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge two heats later
 
Governor’s Cup Defending Champions
  • 1/10 Scale Modern: Paul Dunlap, 2015 Dalton Industries (Owner: Rick Evans)
  • 1/7 Scale Modern: Nelson Holmberg, 1972 Notre Dame (Owner: Gary Hansen)
  • 1/10 Scale Classic: Gerry Bordon, 1974 Miss U.S.
  • 1/10 Scale Vintage: Gerry Bordon, 1970 Parco’s O-Ring Miss
  • 1/7 Scale Vintage: Jim McKeon, 1957 Maverick
 
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 starter. Second place in first connie is alternate in the final.
  • 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
  • Final heat of the day will feature a 1/7-scale class
 
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 sunny weather with a high of 76 degrees.
 
Covid Accomodations
Following local, state and federal guidance, face coverings, social distancing and vaccination proof will not be required at ERCU events in 2022. Those who would like to take any precautions to their own comfort level are certainly welcome and encouraged to do so. ERCU reserves the right to change the Covid accomodations, in accordance with local, state or federal guidelines, should that need arise. ERCU will give as much notice as possible if changes are made.
 
Restrooms
There are public restrooms available in the park and they 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.

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