2022 Meyers Autotech Championship Series
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Columbia Cup
Maupin, Reunanen, and Brandt reign supreme in triple digits
As part of the 2022 Tri-Cities Water Follies, the Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC returned to the friendly confines of Columbia Park. With onlookers from fans and crewmembers of the big boats, this is always a special event. This year, Brian Perkins (driver of the U-21 Go Fast Turn Left Racing unlimited hydroplane) joined R/CU, driving his 1/10th scale hydroplane in his debut.
Special thanks to the Brackett family for providing a great race. With temperatures approaching 110 degrees for much of the weekend, they provided plenty of water, shade, and kept everyone as cool as possible to get the race in.
Special thanks as well to the club members who attended and raced at this event, as everyone stayed to help pack up the club trailer in the heat of the day. It was hard work, but we appreciate all of it!
1/10th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 2018 Miss Homestreet Bank, KC Andres
3rd: 1994 Miss Budweiser (T-4), Brian Perkins
4th: 1985 U-33, Jim Latimer
5th (DNF): 2016 Oberto, Jason Walters
Jim Latimer took the early lead with the U-33, as the 1/10th scale class raced on a special 1/2 race course. However, he was called for a lane violation as he tried to hold off the charging Miss Rock, and that dropped him below in the running order. Paxton Reunanen held off the Homestreet with KC, while rookie Brian Perkins finished the podium with his Miss Budweiser.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1977 Miss Mark and Pak, Jim Whyte
3rd: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
4th: 1964 Miss U.S. V, Derek Pierce
5th: 1969 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ken Olson
6th (DNS): 1982 Miss Budweiser, Don McKay
Unfortunately, the Miss Budweiser from Don McKay did not answer the starting bell, however we want to thank Don for attending from this race from outside of the region. In lane one, Dave Brandt had the Miss Rock positioned but did not get a great start. Jim Whyte with the Mark and Pak brought a little more speed in lane two, however Brandt used the inside lane in the first turn to pass the Mark and Pak. As Dave Brandt tends to do, he did not relent the lead once he grabbed it. Mike Henriksen capped off a successful weekend with the Charlie's Girl to finish third.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 2008 Formulaboats.com U-5, Brady Brackett
3rd: 2008 Formaulboats.com U-7, Rob Brackett
4th: 1973 Miss Budweiser, Bobby Colean
5th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Jim Brittain
Paxton and the Rock snuck into lane one, with Rob Brackett right beside him in lane two as the race started, looking like a great duel. However, the Formulaboats squirted across the line half a second early at the start, and was called for jumping the gun. Paxton then navigated the course to an early lead, before Brady started pushing him late. Paxton held on for the victory, with the Bracketts finishing 2-3 behind him.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
2nd: 1974 Miss U.S., Steven Kinney
3rd: 1974 U-76, Joey Caines
4th: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
5th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Paxton Reunanen
6th (DNF): 1976 Olympia Beer, Steve Roman
The consolation heat featured some great racing, as Jim Brittain took the early lead with the Oberto. Steven Kinney and Joey Caines gave chase, but they were unable to catch the wingless hull and Brittain advanced to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1977 Squire, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
3rd: 1974 Red Man, Paul Jackson
4th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
5th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
6th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
7th (DSQ): 2011 Miss Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
Geoffry Grembowski in the Miss Circus Circus nailed the start in lane one, with other boats uncharacteristically behind at the start. Stranger still, the Squire Shop failed to find a clean lane and crawled to a halt just after the start line. On the outside, Kirk Maupin gave chase and passed the Circus going into the right turn on lap one, and the "Iceman" never looked back, collecting his second straight Columbia Cup. Grembowski and Paul Jackson rounded out the podium.
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July 28-30
Location: Family Fishing Pond, Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA
Contest Director: Bob, Rob, and Jayme Brackett
Previous Race Winners
Race held in Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA 1978-2000, 2003-present
Race held in Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA 2001-2002
-2022: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro], Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock) [FE], Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock) [gas]
-2021: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro], Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock) [FE], Jim Whyte (1977 Atlas Van Lines) [Gas]
-2020: Race cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
-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