Wind steals the show at President's Cup in Ellensburg

photo by Jason Walters

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Wind. Just wind.
 
That was the major story of the day for the 2025 ERCU Presidents Cup at Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park.
 
Undaunted, however, the 30 boats brought to the event by ERCU members made the best of it and completed the race day.
 
Sustained winds of 25-35 mph, with frequent gusts above 50 mph from set up all the way through breakdown.
 
“I’ve never seen it this bad here, and I’ve raced here a lot,” said Jason Walters who also runs with RCU.
 
As per our normal process, the day started with 1/10 scale modern. Heat 1A featured season point leaders David Newton and Paxton Reunanen along with visiting drivers Jason Walters and Brian Perkins, with Newton taking the first heat. The second heat welcomed Chuck Murray back from his Arizona winter with the 2000 Miss Elam making its 2024 debut. Murray wasted no time in topping David Heilbrunn’s 2015 Dalton Industries and Jason Colean’s beautiful 2024 Miss Apollo. When all was said and done at the end of the day, Reunanen took the winner-take-all final, followed by Newton’s 2004 Miss Budweiser, Perkins’ 2015 Matrix Systems and Walters 2018 Oberto Beef Jerky.
 
1/10 scale classic featured five boats and perhaps the highest DNF percentage per capita in these conditions of all the classes. Walters took the winner-take-all final driving Reunanen’s 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Mike Walcker was second with the 1973 Red Man Too, followed by Dray Newton with the 1986 Squire Shop. Murray, with the 1976 Olympia Beer, did not finish the final.
 
The vintage class in 1/10 scale saw six boats start the day and six boats finish the day. Reunanen’s 1960 Gale’s Roostertail claimed the winner-take-all final, while David Heilbrunn’s 1964 Blue Chip finished second, Gentleman Jim Latimer took third with the 1960 Miss Everett, Walcker stepped into drive Latimer's Miss Moses Lake in the final, finishing fourth, and Dray Newton took fifth with the 1957 Hawaii Kai III that was built by his grandfather Roger Newton. Unable to finish the final was Walters with the 1960 Miss Burien.
 
The 1/7 scale classes also produced a high amount of action and great racing.
 
Modern/classic was taken in a close race by Craig Mullen, driving his brand new 1971 Pay ‘n Pak. He was followed by Heilbrunn with the 2024 Goodman Real Estate. John Havens Jr., with the 1976 Miss Budweiser (U-95), was third and fourth place went to Denise Sjostrom with the 1990 Oh Boy! Oberto.
 
The vintage class was won by Walters, driving Reunanen’s 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto. Second went to Dennis Caines, driving his always consistent 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, while holding off the 1962 $ Bill of Bobby Van den Akker, who took third. Fourth went to Havens with his 1963 Miss U.S.
 
Next up is the fourth race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Season and will be at Lake Waughop at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, on Saturday, May 17. Pre-registration is open now by clicking here.