Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series
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Next Race: Dean Chenoweth Memorial / Bernie Little Memorial,
Ellensburg (WA), June 13-14
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Champion Spark Plug Regatta
Maupin and Reunanen claim victories at debut race site
Photo album available HERE
The Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC visited a brand-new race site for the third race of 2026, traveling to southwest Washington and the small community of Toledo. Just outside the city center is South County Park and Wallace Pond, which has started hosting other R/C clubs in the region. Immediately, when we began setting up on Saturday, local residents were curious and inquiring about the club, and we were immediately welcomed and wished well. R/CU would like to thank the citizens of Toledo and south Lewis County for the hospitality, and we look forward to returning in future years.
After a rainy Saturday, Sunday dawned cool and cloudy. The morning test was filled with fog, but this burned off as it was time to go racing. A little breeze and sun swept through the area during the finals, adding a little challenge to the racers.
Before we dive into the details of the finals, we do want to offer some sympathy to two racers. Paul Jackson's 1994 Pete's Wicked Ale boat separated in two during a collision during an early preliminary heat, and Mike Henriksen's 1984 Team Velocity sunk after taking on water during the mill of the FE Final. We know that a lot of effort, money, and time has gone into preparing these race-winning boats, and we thank Paul and Mike for continuing to be great club members and representatives of our sport.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
3rd: 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
4th (DNF): 1982 Miss Machine Rock Band, Mike Henriksen
5th (DNF): 1990 Infinity Car Audio, Paul Jackson
6th (DNF): 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
Mike Henriksen and his Machine Rock Band was showing impressive, if not shocking, trolling ability, and was crawling to the line at the start in lane 1. However, he was a touch early on the timing, and the Machine Rock Band had very little speed as the clock hit zero. Paxton Reunanen, driving Mike's original boat (Charlie's Girl) all day, had lane 2 and hit the line with more speed, taking the early lead. Henry Oord tried catching with the Miss Houston, but the breeze kept him from pushing too hard to challenge. Paxton took the victory, in an impressive guest-driving spot for Mike!
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Rich Matkin
2nd: 1975 Pay'n Pak, Wayne Beeson
3rd: 2011 Red Dot, Jason Colean
4th (DNF): 1980 Evans Marine, Kyle Hirano
Rich took the early lead with the Miss Rock, and the Red Dot was trying to challenge but hit a buoy in the process, earning a penalty. Kyle Hirano's beautiful new Evans Marine hull failed to finish but turned heads all day with early speed and a gorgeous paint scheme.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1987 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 1989 Winston Eagle, Dylan Hirano
3rd: 2023 Flav-R-Pac, Talon Moore
4th: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Rich Matkin
5th (DNF): 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
6th (DNF): 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
The mill got a little congested in the right turn on the lead-up to the start, and the Team Velocity lost plane and was never able to recover. On the start, Paxton Reunanen took the lead, and never looked back. Henry Oord was battling and tried to push Paxton, before the Houston hooked and flipped in the left turn. Dylan Hirano took an impressive 2nd place with his brand-new Winston Eagle, with rookie Talon Moore taking the final podium spot.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1977 Squire, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1971 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Brent Edinger
3rd: 2012 Matrix Auto System, Brian Anderson
4th (DNF): 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
5th (DNS): 1974 Red Man, Steve Roman
6th (DNS): 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
This was a close race for four laps, as it was Kirk Maupin on the outside with the Squire, and Geoffry Grembowski on the inside with the Circus Circus. The Circus took the lead down the backstretch on the first lap, before hooking slightly in the right turn and dropping back about a roostertail. Geoffry tried to hang with the Squire, but the Circus hit a wave and blew over starting the final lap. That allowed a little more room for Kirk, who took his first victory of the season.
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May 16-17
Location: South County Wallace Pond, Toledo, WA
Contest Director: Joey Caines
Previous Race Winners
Race held in South County Wallace Pond, Toledo, WA Present
Race held in Columbia Park Family Fishing Pond, Kennewick, WA 2022-2023, 2025
Race held in Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA 2021, 2024
Race held in Twin Lakes Park, Marysville, WA 1988-2019
Race held in Olympia, WA 1986-1987
Current-2020: winners shown as nitro // FE // gas
-2026: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // Paxton Reunanen (1987 Miller American) // Paxton Reunanen (1977 Charlie's Girl)
-2025: Jim Putich (2016 Oh Boy! Oberto) // Dave Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2024: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop, U-65) // David Newton (1984 Atlas Van Lines) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2023: Geoffry Grembowski (1979 Miss Circus Circus) // Bill Brandt (1976 Miss Esquire Products) // Henry Oord (1983 Miss Houston)
-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop, U-65) // Bill Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2021: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop, U-64) // Jim Brittain (1986 Mr. Pringle's) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2020: Race cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2013: winners shown as nitro // FE
-2019: Fred Olson (1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak) // Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2018: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop, U-65) // Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2017: Adam Putich (2007 Miss Beacon Plumbing) // Mike Malloy (2007 Formulaboats.com II)
-2016: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop) // Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports)
-2015: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream) // Mike Gossler (1983 Executone)
-2014: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // Bob Brackett (2011 Graham Trucking)
-2013: John Hruby (1978 Miss Circus Circus) // Rob Brackett (2011 Valken.com)
Prior to 2013, FE class not held
-2012: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2011: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2010: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2009: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2008: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2007: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2006: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2004: Paul Jackson (1991 The Edge)
-2003: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2002: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2001: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire)
-2000: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1997: Bob Adderly
-1996: John Hruby (1978 Miss Circus Circus)
-1995: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1994: Don Mock (1982 Atlas Van Lines)
-1993: Dave Blacksten (1986 Miss 7-Eleven)
-1992: Ron Davis (1984 Competition Specialties)
-1991: Ron Davis (1988 Miss Circus Circus)
-1990: Ron Davis (1988 Miss Circus Circus)
-1989: Terry Olding (1984 Tosti Asti)
-1988: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1987: Dave Blacksten (1971 Miss Budweiser)
-1986: Roger Newton (1984 Miss Budweiser)