2023 Meyers Autotech Championship Series
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Thanks for racing in 2023!
Roger Newton Gold Cup / Norm Evans Memorial
Unpredictable water causes havoc in final race for 2023
Saturday photo album available HERE
Sunday photo album available HERE
YouTube playlist of finals available HERE
The Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC returned to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Chelan for the final race of 2023 with the prestigious Roger Newton Gold Cup up for grabs. With over 40 boats in attendance over four classes, it was a perfect way to honor our founder, the late Roger Newton, with two action-packed days of racing. The wonderful community of Chelan opened up their town for R/CU, and once again we were lucky to have unlimited hydroplane legends Mark and Mitch Evans come by to check out the racing and pass out trophies.
The weather was not quite as sunny, however this was better than the rain that swamped the rest of the state. The wind came in unusual directions. Thankfully, it was not coming down the lake, which can result in nasty rollers. However, it was opposite the river current, which would play a large factor later in the weekend.
1/10th Scale Electric Final
No videos available.
1st: 2023 Grigg's Presents Miss Ace Hardware, Aidyn Brandt
2nd: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
3rd (DNF): 1974 Miss U.S., Brooklyn Kinney
4th (DNF): 1988 Sutphen Spirit, Brianna Burdsall
5th (DNF): 2017 Spirit of Detroit, Geoffry Grembowski
6th (DNS): 1983 Miss Houston, Alec Barisic
The wind began to pick up in the opposite direction of the current, creating some unique waves for the little 1/10th scales. As such, most did not survive. It was a Brandt family 1-2, with brother Aidyn taking the victory over sister Lexy.
Gas Scale Consolation
No videos available.
1st: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
2nd: 2014 Graham Trucking, Jeff Snell
3rd: 1986 Miller American, Mason Dunn
4th: 1967 Miss Bardahl, Monty Hopkins
5th (DNF): 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
Henry Oord overcame some early weekend adversity to take the victory and advance to the final, holding off the Graham and junior racer Mason in the Miller.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1978 Miss Mark and Pak, Jim Whyte
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
4th: 1986 Boat, Paxton Reunanen
5th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
6th (DNS): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson
The Miss Rock snuck into lane one at the start and never looked back, holding off the Mark and Pak to take home the Roger Newton Gold Cup as well as a bevy of other trophies. The Rock, with Dave Brandt, was the Norm Evans Memorial champion of the weekend as the highest-point boat of the weekend; scoring a perfect 2800 points in 7 races. Not only the Gold Cup and the Norm Evans Memorial wins #4 and #5 in gas scale this year, but it was the 2nd Gold Cup in a row for Dave and the Rock, and Dave's 8th total. It also clinched the boat title and driver's title for the year, a fitting end for the 2023 champ.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
No videos available.
1st:1982 Pay'n Pak, Bob Hulliger
2nd: 1989 Winston Eagle, Fred Stock
3rd: 1973 Miss Budweiser, Bobby Colean
4th: 1975 Pay'n Pak, Wayne Beeson
5th (DNF): 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Rich Matkin
The Miss Budweiser picked up an early penalty, so it set up a great race between Fred in the Winston and Bob in the Pay'n Pak. On lap 3, the Winston drifted wide, and the Pak took advantage. Bob used his lighter boat to his advantage and took the victory, advancing to the final.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Bill Brandt
2nd: 1985 Miller American, Don Mock
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
4th: 1982 Pay'n Pak, Bob Hulliger
5th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
6th: 1982 Atlas Van Lines, Marc Connelly
7th (DNF): 1994 Miss Budweiser (T-2), Paxton Reunanen
With the waves increasing, the water started getting really lumpy and unpredictable. The Atlas Van Lines was called for jumping the gun, and the Budweiser hooked in the first corner. For a lap, it was a good battle between Bill in the Esquire and Don in the Miller, before the Miller hit a wave wrong and hooked. From there, Bill just backed it down to avoid risk, and smartly took the victory. It was his second FE Roger Newton Gold Cup, and 3rd overall in R/CU.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
No videos available.
1st: 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
2nd: 2011 Miss Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
3rd: 1971 Country Boy, Clint Dunn
4th: 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, Monty Hopkins
5th (DNF): 1974 U-95, John Olson
6th (DNS): 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
Fred Olson bested the family affair over brother John and Clint, taking the Pak to the final with a chance to win the Gold Cup.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 1974 Miss U.S., Steven Kinney
3rd (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
4th (DNS): 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
5th (DNS): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
6th (DNS): 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
7th (DSQ): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
The wind and waves reached a peak, and the conditions caught out many of R/CU's best. First to go in the mill was the Oberto, then in quick order the Stroh's and Squire Shop U-65 fell victim to the lumpy water. All of a sudden, only 4 boats were alive to take the start. The Pride of Pay'n Pak was called for jumping the gun and unfortunately struck the Oberto that was dead in the water, earning a disqualification. Then, the U-64 Squire Shop went dead, another water victim. With all the trouble around, both Kirk with the Esquire and Steven with the Miss U.S. throttled down, in possibly the slowest Roger Newton Gold Cup in R/CU history. However, it was a smart move, as they kept the boats running to take the finish. With this victory, Kirk took his 10th Gold. It also clinched the drivers' championship for Kirk, while Steven's Miss U.S. clinched the boat championship.
Thanks for following along the Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC in 2023! Plans are already underway to make 2024 another great year of racing for R/C Unlimiteds. We'll see you in April, but be sure to follow the website as well as our social channels to keep in touch over the offseason!
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September 22-23-24
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
-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
-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)