Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series
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Thanks for racing in 2026, we'll see you in 2027!
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Roger Newton Gold Cup / Norm Evans Memorial
2026 season ends perfectly in Chelan
Saturday photo album available HERE
Sunday photo album available HERE
The last race weekend of the Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC brought us to the familiar beauty of Chelan Riverfront Park in Chelan, WA. Situated at the end of Lake Chelan, the water is impossibly clear, with the rolling hills capturing the sound of R/CU and bringing a ton of fans to the park. Last year's version of the race brought wind and offshore-like waves on championship Sunday, which was memorable but disliked by many. Mother Nature was kinder this year, delivering perfect sunny skies, calm waters, and zero wind on both Saturday and Sunday.
With the best water conditions R/CU could hope for, it was ripe for competition. Drivers were competing not only to wrap up the year high in the season points, but to try and win the Roger Newton Gold Cup, the most coveted trophy of the year. Additionally, the Norm Evans Memorial was up for grabs, for the driver that averaged the highest points across all of their entries in the various classes of the weekend. There were 3 heats on Saturday and 3 heats on Sunday, and we were ready to go for finals on Sunday afternoon!
Amongst the crowd in attendance were local hydroplane legends Mark and Mitch Evans, as well as Stephen Hayden and family.
First off, R/CU would like to extend our thoughts to the former boats of Scott Meyers and Mike Henriksen. Scott's nitro Miss Stroh Light lost the receiver battery and veered off course, meeting the rocks with an ugly crunch. Mike's FE Coor's Light boat hydraulic-ed itself into two pieces and sunk. Thanks to local diver Doug Morgan for retrieving both the Coor's Light from the bottom, but also Monty Hopkin's nitro Miss Eagle Electric, which previously sunk but was rescued by Morgan.
1/10th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1974 Miss U.S., Brooklyn Kinney
2nd: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
3rd: 1962 $ Bill, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 1998 United Furniture Warehouse, Jason Colean
5th (DNF): 1976 Miss Budweiser, Bobby Colean
6th (DNF): 1955 Hawaii Kai, Beau Rarig
7th (DNF): 2018 Oberto, Enzo Henriksen
Brooklyn Kinney capped off her championship season with a victory in the final race, taking her fifth victory of the season with an impressive run around the American Speedy Printing driven by Lexy. Geoffry steered the lone roundnose to a podium finish.
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Aidyn Brandt
2nd: 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Kevin Martin
DNS: 1967 Miss Bardahl, Monty Hopkins
DNS: 1971 Country Boy, Brandon Sano
Aidyn Brandt drove the new Oberto to the victory in the consolation heat, finishing ahead of Kevin Martin with the Lincoln Thrift.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1982 Miss Machine Rock Band, Mike Henriksen
3rd: 1978 Miss Mark and Pak, Jim Whyte
4th: 1988 Miss Stroh Light, Scott Meyers
5th (DNF): 1977 Charlie's Girl, Paxton Reunanen
6th (DNS): 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Aidyn Brandt
It looked like Paxton Reunanen and Mike Henriksen had the inside lanes at the start, but the Miss Rock of Dave Brandt snuck into lane one at the commitment buoy and was able to hit the line perfectly. From there, it was routine for the now-4-time Roger Newton Gold Cup champion in gas, as Dave took the victory. Paxton was running strong in second before the boat spun on the last turn, allowing the 2026 drivers' champion Henriksen to take 2nd and Jim Whyte to take the final position on the podium.
1/8th Scale Electric Consolation
1st: 1988 Heartbreaker's Gentlemans Club, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1982 Pay'n Pak, Joey Caines
3rd: 2011 Red Dot, Jason Colean
4th: 1993 Miss Rock, Jake Gray
5th (DNF): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Bobby Colean
6th (DNF): 1980 Evans Marine, Talon Moore
The Heartbreaker's had the inside line at the start, as Kirk Maupin continues to dabble in FE with Jeff Snell's beautiful boat. He was able to hold off Joey Caines, driving Bob Hulliger's boat, who was challenging hard on the outside.
1/8th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1985 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 1978 Miss Budweiser, Beau Rarig
3rd: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Steve Kinney
4th (DNF): 1985 Coor's Light, Mike Henriksen
5th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing (Red/Yellow), Lexy Brandt
6th (DNS): 1988 Heartbreaker's Gentlemans Club, Kirk Maupin
7th (DNS): 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Bill Brandt
This final was tightly contested, as Paxton took the early lead with Steve Kinney chasing on the outside with the Squire. The other boats were racing hard behind, and slowly spun or flipped in the rough water. The Squire Shop lost a cowling as it tried to battle for the lead, which dropped it to last of the finishing boats. After a tough personal year, it was sweet delight for Paxton and the Miller American, taking his second Roger Newton Gold Cup in the FE class. Steve Kinney did not go home empty handed, as the strong finish clinched his first drivers' championship in the FE class for 2026.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
2nd: 1993 Tide, Eric Akeson
3rd: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
4th: 2011 Miss Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
5th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Mike Malloy
6th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
Joey Caines capped off his busy 2026 with a victory in the consolation heat, holding off Eric Akeson's Tide soundly to take the win and advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1976 Miss Vernor's, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
3rd: 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
4th: 1971 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Brent Edinger
5th (DNF): 2019 Delta/Realtrac, Zach Gordon
6th (DNF): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Steve Kinney
7th (DNF): 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
The Miss Circus Circus had the inside line at the start, with the Vernor's in lane 2 and the Squire Shop in lane 3. However, Grembowski's Circus spun in the first turn, giving the lead to Kirk and the Vernor's. It was not a typical weekend for Kirk, as the Vernor's struggled all weekend, but he tuned it up in time for the final, holding off Dave and winning for his 11th career Roger Newton Gold Cup. Dave Brandt clinched the drivers' championship in nitro for 2026 and took home the victory in the Norm Evans Memorial, so it was still a successful Sunday for him.
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September 25-26-27
Location: Chelan Riverwalk Park, Chelan, WA
Contest Director: R/CU Board
Previous Race Winners Roger Newton Gold Cup:
Race held In Chelan Riverfront Park, Chelan, WA 2000-2011, 2013-present
Race held in Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA 1997-1999, 2012
Race held in Elma, WA 1990-1996
Race held in Kent, WA 1976, 1979-1980, 1982-1989
Race held in Lake Waughop, Tacoma, WA 1978
Race held in Green Lake, Seattle, WA 1974-1975, 1977, 1981
Current-2020: winners shown as nitro // FE // gas
-2025: Jim Brittain (1982 Oh Boy! Oberto) // Dave Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Paxton Reunanen (1986 Boat)
-2024: Fred Olson (1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak) // David Newton (1984 Atlas Van Lines) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2023: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Bill Brandt (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-65) // Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2021: Geoffry Grembowski (1979 Miss Circus Circus) // Bill Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Scott Meyers (1990 Infinity Car Audio)
-2020: Race not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2013: winners shown as nitro // FE
-2019: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-64) // Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2018: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Jim Brittain (1986 Mr. Pringle's)
-2017: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-64) // Jeff Griffin (2015 Dalton Industries)
-2016: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports)
-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // Fred Stock (2008 Formulaboats.com II)
-2014: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // David Newton (2012 Spirit of Qatar)
-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // Fred Olson (2008 Formulaboats.com II)
Prior to 2013, no FE class run
-2012: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2011: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2010: Kirk Maupin (1975 Atlas Van Lines)
-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: Lee Robertson (1993 Miss Budweiser)
-2004: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2003: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2002: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-2001: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-2000: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1997: Jeff Snell (1984 Oh Boy! Oberto)
-1996: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1995: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1994: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1993: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1992: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1991: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1990: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1989: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1988: Ron Erickson (1983 American Speedy Printing)
-1987: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1986: David Jensen (1982 Gilmore Special)
-1985: Gale Whitestine (Atlas Van Lines)
-1984: Bill Smiley (1980 Pay 'N Pak)
-1983: Tim Ganguth (Miss Thriftway)
-1982: David Jensen (1977 Natural Light)
-1981: Roger Newton (Miss Budweiser)
-1980: Les Ruggles (1969 Notre Dame)
-1979: Monte Steere (1977 Charlie's Girl)
-1978: Les Ruggles (Miss Supertest III)
-1977: Ron Erickson (Spirit of Dayton Walther)
-1976: Monte Steere (Slo-Mo-Shun V)
-1975: Bill Horness (Thriftway Too)
-1974: Ron Erickson (Miss Bardahl)
Previous Winners Norm Evans Memorial:
Race held in Chelan Riverfront Park, Chelan, WA 1993-2011, 2013-present
Race held in Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA 2012
Current-2020: winners shown as nitro // FE // gas
-2024: none // none // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2023: none // none // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-65) // none // none
-2021: John Olson (1971 Country Boy) // none // none
-2020: Race not held due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2013: winners shown as nitro // FE
-2019: Scott Meyers (1987 Eliminator) // none
-2018: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernor's) // none
-2017: Geoffry Grembowski (1979 Miss Circus Circus) // none
-2016: Joey Caines (1983 Miss Renault) // none
-2015: John Olson (1976 Miss Vernor's) // none
-2014: Lee Robertson (1985 Squire Shop) // none
-2013: Paxton Reunanen (1994 Miss Budweiser) // none
Prior to 2013, no FE class run
-2012: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2011: Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com)
-2010: Kirk Maupin (1975 Atlas Van Lines)
-2009: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2008: David Newton (1985 Miss 7-Eleven)
-2007: Jeff Stubbers (1983 Miss Rock)
-2006: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2005: David Newton (2002 Miss Budweiser)
-2004: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2003: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2002: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-2001: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop)
-2000: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1999: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop)
-1998: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1997: Dave Blacksten (1988 Jackpot Food Mart)
-1996: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1995: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Can Lines)
-1994: Robbie Roberts (1973 Pay 'N Pak)
-1993: Don Mock (1982 Atlas Van Lines)