At the November Member Meeting this past Saturday, members participating were asked to engage in a conversation about the format for the ERCU Gold Cup.
With rising boat counts and the club’s growth continuing, we saw the 2021 ERCU Gold Cup last into the dusk hours of race day. By the time we were packing our vehicles and leaving the race site after this year’s Gold Cup, it was already dark. That prompted a conversation about whether we need to make changes to the Gold Cup format. A couple of ideas have already come out, but the club is interested in an ongoing conversation over the next month or so, in order to provide all members a chance to share their thoughts. While everyone agrees that the Gold Cup should always be the most special event we have – featuring four flights of five-lap heats for each of our two divisions and five classes; while also respecting the Gold Cup’s tradition of being the most difficult to win: A test of endurance, consistency, as well as mechanical and driving skill. The first ideas to come into discussion include, leaving it alone and retaining the status quo; keeping a one-day format and eliminating the time trials or turning it into a two day event at the same park. We would love to keep the conversation going for the next few weeks before we need to finalize the schedule, and hear from our members what their preference is. Below are the two options different from retaining the status quo to help start the conversation. Please be clear that this is NOT a vote for one or the other, but instead the opportunity to begin a conversation. Comments are open below this story, so please feel free to weigh in!
Jim Latimer
11/23/2021 06:13:27 pm
I strongly support the six items offered for the Gold Cup in One Day format.
Nelson Holmberg
11/23/2021 07:31:04 pm
I’m personally in favor of a two-day event. I think a whole weekend of racing, with a social event in the evening between the two days would be a blast.
craig bradshaw
12/16/2021 03:24:14 pm
I like the 2 day and keep our format the same. it has always been set up to be a hard course. not sure about lodging but Silverado has camp space and we only used half of what we paid for. with proper fencing we could see if another club wants the other side of the lake. good gold cup, swap meet, and racing could be a great time. lodging the only hang up. and it would have to be mid-summer
Ron Hartley
11/24/2021 05:34:28 pm
On the one event limit to one boat per class. This might also speed up the event. If doing a 2 day event make the 1st day have a later start time for us out of Townes can get there and only need one night at the hotel.
David Heilbrunn
11/24/2021 06:43:48 pm
Gold Cup heats spread over two days with a reception the first night sounds really amazing. We might be able to negotiate a special room rate for that night in kind for sponsorship.
Brad Lewis
11/24/2021 11:47:22 pm
The Gold Cup is by far the best event because it’s the Gold Cup. It’s important and I respect the Gold Cup events. Good news is we can’t go wrong with whatever we do because, again, it’s THE GOLD CUP!! Here are some ideas to consider to make it special, keep it special, and maybe make the weekend better than ever. 6 laps? That makes it harder. 5 flights? Why not? Sure makes it different and harder. 2 heats Saturday starting at 1:00. Over by 5. Huge bbq on site. Steak All the good sides. We eat like kings. I volunteer with Nelson to head the food committee. Can we get permission from the park to have overnight security (me) so we can leave our set ups like the kitchen and tables and tents so race teams can leave pit areas mostly in place. 3 heats Sunday. Winner take all final heat like normal. How about a total points winner of a Mapes Mile High Gold Cup or even a Harmsworth Trophy winner. To keep the same person from winning both the outright winner of the Gold Cup can not win the Harmsworth, even if the score the most points, the second place points achieved would win the Harmsworth. And if the Sixth plane points winner wins the GoldCup then the highest points achieved for the day would in fact win the Harmsworth. So two race winners from the same set of heats and from the same set of boats. Might be interesting. No time trials. I’m not impressed with time trials. For the equipment and effort I would much rather run a 5th heat. If you look in history they ran all kinds of formats over the years. Total miles. Total time. Many heats. Two very very long heats. They ran on those really long mikes courses So 6 Laps and or 5 heats is very Gold Cup like and is very different than other races. Lots of prizes like always. I’m I. Favor of testing on Friday too. I know many have to work. Plan ahead. Or test Saturday. Testing after conclusion of racing Saturday if people want. Again it’s already special to me it’s the Gold Cup. I’m in favor of whatever the group wants to do. But a two say event with all the food and prizes is in order and shaking up the format to something very different including two race victors within the same heats would make it more strategic than other races and more interesting. Harmsworth? Mapes Mile High Gold Cup?? It’s late. I hope some of my ideas are understood. Keep it the way it is works too. Lol. Remember it’s THE GOLD CUP. it already matters more than any other event by far.
Mike Hughes
11/25/2021 11:58:02 am
I like the one day format. The 8:30 finish from the last one was ridiculous. I would have left, but stayed to help Jerry and Paul with judging the vintage 1/7 class like I previously had committed to. I am not one wanting to be staying late. When I started racing with you guys, I told Jerry, “if the final had not run by 5, I was leaving”. It was a running joke between us. There is no reason we cant be done in time with amount of heats we run. I know since I have to been to the largest 3 races ever held in the world. We would do 90 heats in a day. We barely do half that at our gold cup race. Now making a 2 day race in order to fit in a time trials and extra round is not my cup of tea. I dont even understand the time trials. It has nothing to do with the heat racing. It is just extra point scored. So if we go to a 2 day format, I will just stay home. Now it is time to step off the soap box and work on a boat.
Brad Lewis
11/25/2021 11:29:43 pm
Now we know how to beat Mike, just be sure to run the modern final after 5 PM.
John Earnest
11/29/2021 01:57:54 pm
I say run a one day race. Split up the computer duties between more people. Some take a class that they are not in so when the water is clear ,all boats are in or pick up boat is by the shore, back on the clock. Drivers are on the stand and boats are at the water. Back in my olden days, I liked to qualify to see how fast I could drive The GALE or Lumberville. As for the points I have never known the points to matter.
RONALD DAUM
12/22/2021 04:55:43 pm
I am one of those who believes that the Gold Cup should be the longest distance course over five heats of racing, an endurance race if you will. I would also favor awarding bonus points with the final for completing all five heats (six if you move up from the connie). We have shown that we can get through the race itself with a 30 minute lunch break without difficulty. The problem this past year was 2 hours of qualifying starting at 9 AM. Since qualifying itself is optional, setting aside Saturday for registration, testing & qualifying where you get as many attempts to improve as you can get in and begin racing on Sunday with no or minimal up front test time.
Ron Hartley
12/24/2021 07:50:07 am
Ron are you suggesting a total points race or the winner take all that we know have? With the format you’re suggesting, would a participant be able to register and race on Sunday only? I’m still liking the qualifying and testing, 2 heat Saturday. That way those of us with really long drives can get home before Monday morning a 1-2AM.
John Sjostrom
1/9/2022 10:37:18 am
Problem with a two-day event is unpacking, repacking. Skip qualifying, have a 1/2hr lunch break or have no lunch break eat when you can, could save almost two hours!! If we had a secure sight, where we could leave our tables etc, overnight two-day would be fun.
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November 23, 2021 · ERCU News
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