Bill Muncey Memorial
Meyers and Newton breakthrough for the first time in 2019
Photo gallery available HERE
YouTube playlist available HERE
For the first time in 2019, the Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC and Nova Rossi Marine USA came to Ellensburg for the second race of the season. Er, rather, we were blown in, as the Saturday testing day was primarily blown out. A few intrepid souls tested the waters in the 30 mph sustained, 50 mph gusting winds, but most stayed on the beach and got ready for Sunday.
That being said, thank you to all who assembled the drivers' stand on Saturday morning, and a hearty thank you to Dave Brandt who set the course in the oceanic conditions.
Sunday dawned sunny and calm, and remained that way throughout the day. Racing started earlier in the morning, in order to account for the 45 boats registered across the three classes. Thanks to everyone's help, we got through the day pretty quickly, and the final heat was run by 4:30 PM.
Here were the results after a great day of close battles and tight contests:
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1959 Maverick, Ken Olson
2nd: 1985 Coor's Light, Jeff Griffin
3rd (DNF): 1982 Executone, Tim Hines
This heat looked great on paper, but unfortunately the Executone died early in the race and never was a challenger. This left a two-boat duel, but Ken Olson managed the race and kept the Coor's behind. This advanced the Maverick into the final as the trailer.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1982 Gilmore Special, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
3rd: 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy
4th: 1983 Miss Houston, Brian Packer
5th (DNF): 1959 Maverick, Ken Olson
6th (DNF): 1967 Miss Bardahl, Monty Hopkins
The Atlas Van Lines snuck down the inside and grabbed lane one at the start, with the Gilmore and the Maverick right beside them. The Houston came across the line early, receiving a one-lap penalty for jumping the gun. The Maverick looked lke it would be able to challenge the Gilmore up front, but fell ill to a mechanical issue. Then, Trooper Dave just drove around the outside of the Atlas, jumping out to the lead and never looking back. The Gilmore, with Brandt at the wheel, is 2 for 2 in 2019.
1/8th Scale Electric Consolation
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 2015 Dalton Industries, Jeff Griffin
3rd: 1997 Close Call, Jason Colean
4th (DNF): 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Ron Hartley
The Miss Rock grabbed the early lead in lane one and never was seriously challenged, as Paxton cruised to the easy victory. Behind him, the Oberto was giving chase before flipping. The Dalton was able to hold off the Close Call to finish second in the heat.
1/8th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1993 Miss Budweiser (T-3), David Newton
2nd: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen
3rd: 1986 Mr. Pringle's, Jim Brittain
4th: 1999 Miss Madison, Henry Oord
5th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt
6th (DNF): 1984 Atlas Van Lines, Don Mock
7th (DNF): 2008 Formulaboats.com II, Rob Brackett
This was a wild and wacky race from start to finish. The Budweiser grabbed the inside lane and at the start, and was able to avoid the carnage, as the Atlas Van Lines and Formulaboats tangled in the right turn. Then, the Notre Dame also went dead, in a separate mechanical failure. It was the Mini Czar, David Newton, who cooly avoided the parts and pieces to take his first victory in 2019. Paxton came up from the trailer spot to finish a busy second. Jim Brittain and the Mr. Pringle's rounded out the podium.
1/8th Scale Nitro Second Consolation
1st: 1994 Miss Budweiser (T-3), Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
3rd: 1962 Coral Reef, Brandon Sano
4th: 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, Monty Hopkins
5th (DNF): 2010 Superior Racing, Jeff Griffin
6th (DNF): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson
The Country Boy took the early lead off the line, but was unable to finish the heat, and the Budweiser took over the top spot. The Matrix tried to challenge, but was not able to overcome the difference, and the Budweiser advanced to the first consolation.
1/8th Scale Nitro First Consolation
1st: 2014 Spirit of Qatar, Jim Putich
2nd: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Birttain
3rd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 2011 Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
5th: 1991 The Edge/Hunan Harbor, Rob Skiba
6th (DNF): 1994 Miss Budweiser (T-3), Paxton Reunanen
Geoffry and the Circus was in lane one, but nailed the entrance pin at the start and received a one lap penalty. It was Jim Putich and the Spirit of Qatar who came around the outside and had the whole field covered anyway, as he calmly took the victory and advanced to the final. The Edge, with Rob Skiba making his race debut, picked up a buoy infraction as well, but finished the heat to cap a very impressive debut race.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1987 Eliminator, Scott Meyers
2nd: 2014 Spirit of Qatar, Jim Putich
3rd: 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt
4th (DNF): 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy
5th (DNF): 2007 Miss Beacon Plumbing, Adam Putich
6th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop, Dave Brandt
7th (DSQ): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
At the start, it was the Beacon Plumbing in lane one, with the Squire Shop in lane 2. But, the Squire Shop was up at the line too early, and the boat shut off. This opened the door for everyone else to take a rare victory, and they all fought for it evenly. The Pride of Pay'n Pak was judged to come over to lane one on the run to the first turn, causing the Beacon Plumbing to flip, and earning a disqualification for the lane infraction. On the outside, it was Scott Meyers and the Eliminator, as the yellow boat avoided all the trouble and came across the line first. It was Scott's first victory since 2017, and the first win for the Eliminator.
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April 27-28
Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA
Contest Director: Geoffry and Gary Grembowski
Schedule
Testing will be on Saturday. Course setup will begin around 10 AM. Testing resumes Sunday at 8:00 AM. 9:30 drivers meeting on Sunday, with Heat 1A at 9:45.
Previous Race Winners:
Race held in Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA 1997-present
Race held in Elma, WA 1990-1996
Race held in Kent, WA 1981-1989
-2019: Scott Meyers (1987 Eliminator) [nitro] and David Newton (1993 Miss Budweiser (T-3)) [FE]
-2018: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) [FE]
-2017: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and David Newton (1988 Miller High Life) [FE]
-2016: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Fred Stock (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE]
-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and David Newton (2012 Spirit of Qatar) [FE]
-2014: John Olson (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com) [FE}
-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken.com) [FE]
Prior to 2013, only nitro class run
-2012: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2011: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2010: Kirk Maupin (1975 Atlas Van Lines)
-2009: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2008: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2007: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2006: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2005: Bill Brandt (1993 Tide)
-2004: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2003: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2002: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2001: Jesse Robertson (1994 Miss Budweiser T-3)
-2000: Eric Akeson (1986 Frank Kenney Toyota)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1999 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop)
-1997: Brad Lewis (1988 Miller High Life)
-1996: Rich Matkin (1966 Miss Bardahl)
-1995: John Earnest (1957 Gale VII)
-1994: Steve DeSteese (1984 Miss Renault)
-1993: Ron Davis (1984 Competition Specialties)
-1992: John Hruby (1978 Miss Circus Circus)
-1991: Norm Nordby (1984 Lite All Star)
-1990: Brad Lewis (1976 Olympia Beer)
-1989: Ron Davis (1988 Miss Circus Circus)
-1988: Ron Erickson (1983 American Speedy Printing)
-1987: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1986: David Jensen (1982 Gilmore Special)
-1985: Roger Newton (1980 Miss Budweiser)
-1984: Rick Barnes
-1983: Bill Smiley
-1982: Gale Whitestine (Tahoe Miss)
-1981: Gale Whitestine (Tahoe Miss)