Roger Newton Memorial another huge success

The annual Roger Newton Memorial has come and gone. Once again David Newton held an exciting event to honor his father and club founder. Roger had a passion for hydros and friendship in ERCU and around hydro racing.

Twenty five drivers entered the race with 37 boats. Needless to say it was a busy day on and off the water!

During a lunch break (with Jimmy Johns provided lunch) the best of scale awards were presented. Scale racing was a huge part of the hobby for Roger Newton. Congratulations to the recipients below:

1. Mike McIntosh with his 1989 Winston Eagle Lobster
2. Rick Evans with his 1960 Thriftway Too
3. Tom Markos with his 1976 Atlas Van Lines

Another prestigious award was presented during lunch time. Bill Mowatt made his first race of the season, but unfortunately his boat was not ready. Scoring zero points and only making a handful of laps he was presented with the Golden Throne Award. He was anxious to get it home and put it in his trophy case after the race!

The racing on the water was a tough one with our largest field of the year. In the modern 1/10 class after a two-boat wreck on the front stretch on the first lap. David Newton pulled away with an easy win. Second place went to Tom Markos with the 2015 Graham Trucking (U-7) after Briana Burdsall rolled her Sutphen Spirit and didn't finish.
 
In the modern/classic class Craig Mullen led wire to wire in his borrowed Miss US. Coming in second was hired gun Jerry Dunlap driving Mike McIntosh’s Beacon Plumbing holding off David Heilbrunn in third with his Goodman Real Estate.

Attrition got the best of the classic 1/10 scale class with many boats dropping out during the day. In the final Paxton won wire to wire in his Miss Rock. Paul Dunlap gave a hard charge in the Notre Dame but just came up short to finish second. Finally rounding out in third place (with two podium finishes on the day) was Markos.

Next was the vintage 1/10 scale class. It was a wild one with many lead changes, flips and wires coming unsoldered.  Paxton held an early lead until he flipped and stuffed on the front stretch. Paul Dunlap then had a commanding lead until his boat stopped on the backstretch due to solder failure, which plagued him throughout the day. Paxton was able to get his boat back going again to win his first Vintage Roger Newton Memorial. Robbie Roberts held the lead for a moment until he cut a buoy to the left corner resulting in a second place finish. Third place went to Jim Latimer in the Miss Everett on furthest travel after flipping on lap three.

The last heat of the day was the vintage 1/7 scale class. The first turn saw boats going through and in front of each other. Mike McIntosh rolled his boat in a roostertail and it was ruled that Craig Mullen caused the wreck and was disqualified. This gave a huge lead to Bobby V and his $ Bill. He did not look back and claimed redemption after jumping the gun in the previous year’s final heat. Second place went to Dennis Caines and his Eagle Electric, then third to John Sjostrom in his Miss Thriftway.

Many thanks to all that donated their time and helped to run the race. Thank you to Offshore Electrics, Progressive RC, David Heilbrunn, Mike McIntosh and Bill Mowatt for their donations to this year's raffle.