Columbia Cup
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July 26-27
Location: Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA
Contest Director: Bob, Rob, and Jayme Brackett
Schedule
Testing will be on Friday, July 28, from 10 AM through the afternoon.
Saturday is raceday. Testing will occur from 7 AM - 9 AM, with a driver's meeting at 9:05 AM, and racing immediately after.
See the full info on the front page.
Previous Race Winners
Race held in Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA 1978-2000, 2003-present
Race held in Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA 2001-2002
-2019: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com U-5) [FE]
-2018: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and David Newton (1993 Miss Budweiser (T-3)) [FE]
-2017: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]
-2016: Scott Meyers (2010 Superior Racing) [nitro] and David Newton (1988 Miller High Life) [FE]
-2015: Dave Brandt (1969 Pay'N Pak) [nitro] and David Newton (2012 Spirit of Qatar) [FE]
-2014: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream) [nitro] and Dave Brandt (2008 Miss Elam Plus) [FE}
-2013: Adam Putich (2007 Miss Beacon Plumbing) [nitro] and Paul Omerzu (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE}
Prior to 2013, no FE class run
-2012: John Olson (1976 Miss Vernors)
-2011: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2010: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2009: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2008: David Newton (1985 Miss 7-Eleven)
-2007: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2006: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2004: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2003: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire)
-2002: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2001: Jesse Robertson (1994 Miss Budweiser T-3)
-2000: Lee Robertson (1995 Pico American Dream)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Jeff Snell (1984 Oh Boy! Oberto)
-1997: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1996: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1995: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1994: Paul Kitano (1980 Pay 'N Pak)
-1993: John Howell (1974 Sunny Jim Jam)
-1992: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1991: Paul Kitano (1980 Pay 'N Pak)
-1990: Rick Campbell (1988 Miss Circus Circus)
-1989: Sam DeFillipps (1987 Sutphen Spirit)
-1988: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1987: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1986: Roger Newton
-1985: Mike Hamilton
-1984: Roger Newton (1980 Miss Budweiser)
-1983: Doug Tumilson (Miss U.S.)
-1982: Jack Haugen (1957 Thriftway Too)
-1981: Steve Benson (Miss Vernors)
-1980: Dallas Cook (1967 Miss Bardahl)
-1979: Bill Osborne (1977 Charlie's Girl)
-1978: Jess Gray
Hometown racers nab the coveted Columbia Cup
Photo album available HERE
YouTube playlist available HERE
Since 1978, R/CU has been a part of the Tri-Cities Water Follies, and the eighth race of the 2019 Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC and Nova Rossi Marine USA brought us to the Columbia Park pond for another amazing contest. Located about 300 yards behind the unlimited hydroplane pits, this is a unique opportunity for hydro fans of all ages to watch both the big boats on the river and our R/C boats.
With assistance from Bob, Rob, and Jayme Brackett, the pond was prepared early for testing, and a full field of 43 boats were on-hand for a crack at the coveted Columbia Cup. This included our friends Mike Lakusta and Paul Omerzu, who join us from the Edmonton Model Boat Racing Association in Canada!
The day was sunny and warm, with highs around 95 degrees (F). Somewhat uniquely, a stiff but inconsistent breeze would come off the backstretch towards the drivers stand throughout the afternoon, contributing to challenging conditions for our drivers. Nonetheless, we were able to push through the day and hold the finals in the early afternoon!
1/10th Scale Electric Results
1st. 1960 Miss U.S. 1, Jim Brittain
2nd. 1957 Miss U.S. 1, Ron Daum
3rd. 1962 Lumberville, Aidyn Brandt
With a couple of withdrawals before the final, the results were determined by points. With four heat finishes to the day, including three heat victories, Jim Brittain was declared the winner.
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1983 Miss Houston, Brian Packer
2nd (DNF): 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy
3rd (DNS): 1967 Miss Bardahl, Monty Hopkins
Unfortunately, what shaped up to be a great heat on paper never turned out, as the Bardahl lost radio control and went ashore, and the Circus Circus went dead early in the right turn. This allowed Brian Packer and the Houston to cruise around and take the victory.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1982 Gilmore Special, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1983 Miss Houston, Brian Packer
3rd (DNF): 1982 Executone, Tim Hines
4th (DNF): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
5th (DNS): 1962 Miss Bardahl, Ken Olson
6th (DSQ): 1985 Coor's Light, Jeff Griffin
The Bardahl flipped early with a gust during the mill, while the Atlas continued a tough day by dying in the mill as well. Unfortunately, the stricken boat was clipped by the Coor's Light on the next lap, rendering the Coor's disqualified. This left three boats in the running, with the Gilmore on the inside and the Executone trying to catch it on the outside. Then, the Executone found the same gust as the Bardahl and flipped, leaving the Gilmore to cruise as the Houston battled engine trouble. It was Dave Brandt's seventh victory out of the seven gas scale finals held, continuing his perfect run in 2019, and a special hometown win for the Kennewick resident.
1/8th Scale Electric Final
1st: 2008 Formulaboats.com (U-5), Rob Brackett
2nd: 1999 Miss Madison, Henry Oord
3rd: 1984 Atlas Van Lines, Don Mock
4th: 1986 Mr. Pringle's, Jim Brittain
5th (DNF): 1958 Wildroot Charlie, Ron Daum
6th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt
7th (DNF): 1982 Pay'n Pak, Bob Hulliger
This was a wild heat that many wish could have been restarted. The Notre Dame jumped the gun on the outside, then the Wildroot Charlie spun in the left turn. Meanwhile, the Atlas Van Lines completely hooked and missed the first turn, instead looping inside the course. Through this, Rob Brackett used the inside lane and put himself in the lead with the U-5 Formulaboats.com. The Pay'n Pak went dead shortly thereafter, with the Notre Dame losing a cowling, clipping a buoy, and also shutting down. Through all the carnage, the Formula was able to stay out front, with the Madison taking a consistent second. The Atlas overcame a lap penalty to finish third on the podium. It was Rob Brackett's fourth victory of the year, and the first for the U-5 boat in his hometown race.
1/8th Scale Nitro Second Consolation
1st: 2011 Valken Sports, Rob Brackett
2nd: 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, Monty Hopkins
3rd (DNF): 1988 Miller High Life, Paul Omerzu
The Miller High Life went dead early in this heat, leading to an unfortunate end for our Canadian racers and honorary club members. Rob Brackett got the temperamental Valken across for all laps to advance to the first consolation.
1/8th Scale Nitro First Consolation
1st: 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt
2nd: 1991 The Edge/Hunan Harbor, Rob Skiba
3rd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 2011 Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
5th (DNF): 2011 Valken Sports, Rob Brackett
6th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
This heat got off to a scary start, as the Stroh's attempted a flying start and went through the Valken, launching off the black boat and flying through the air. Through the carnage emerged the Notre Dame, and Bill Brandt held off a charging Edge with Rob Skiba at the helm to advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Dave Brandt
2nd: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
3rd: 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt
4th: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
5th: 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
6th (DNF): 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy
7th (DNF): 1965 Notre Dame, Joey Caines
It was a great battle between the Pay'n Pak in lane one, and the Squire Shop in lane two. Both drivers were desperate for a victory, and the two boats were among the quickest all day. As they streaked down the backstretch, both boats were inches apart. Unfortunately, the angle of the Pay'n Pak meant that it cut the entrance buoy of the right turn, earning a one lap penalty. With that, the Squire Shop backed off, and Dave Brandt took a hometown victory for his second win of the season. Behind him, the rest of the boats battled valiantly, with the Oh Boy! Oberto taking the second spot on the podium.