Roger Newton Gold Cup / Norm Evans Memorial
Olson captures first nitro Gold Cup, Newton caps a dominant season, and Brandt collects three-in-a-row in gas
Saturday photo album available HERE
Sunday photo album available HERE
For the final time in R/CU's 50th Anniversary Season, the Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC raced in central Washington. In the crystal-clear waters just off of Lake Chelan, R/CU contested a 2-day race with the Roger Newton Gold Cup and the Norm Evans Memorial.
The weather was perfect, with just a hint of wind on Sunday morning that calmed down. It was a fantastic weekend for all to enjoy with families, and special thanks to Jackie Brandt and Patty Grembowski for organizing a lunch on Sunday afternoon for all of R/CU to enjoy.
The racing was intense on the water, as the season-long points championships were coming to an end. It was a fantastic weekend to honor our founder, Roger Newton, as the racers attempted to win this crown jewel race. Additionally, the top point collector over the weekend would be awarded with the Norm Evans Memorial trophy, and an official R/CU race win. Special thanks to Mark and Mitch Evans, who were on hand to watch the racing and help hand out trophies on Sunday.
1/10th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
2nd: 1955 Hawaii Kai, Enzo Henriksen
3rd: 1955 Miss Wahoo, Dray Newton
4th (DNF): 2024 Miss Apollo, Jason Colean
Lexy Brandt nailed the start and was racing strong with Jason Colean before the Apollo spun and died. That allowed Lexy to cruise around and take the victory. It was Lexy's fourth victory of the year in the 1/10th scale class. Enzo Henriksen out-dueled Dray Newton to take the junior trophy and second place in the race.
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing (Red/White/Yellow), Mike Malloy
2nd (DNF): 1985 Coor's Light, Jeff Griffin
3rd (DNF): 1983 American Speedy (Blue), Bill Brandt
4th (DNS): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Dave Englehart
5th (DNS): 1984 Risley's Express, Derek Pierce
This heat turned into a battle of attrition, with Mike Malloy emerging as the only runner to advance to the final.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1986 Boat, Paxton Reunanen
3rd: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
4th: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Mike Malloy
5th (DNS): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
6th (DNS): 1978 Miss Mark and Pak, Conner Henriksen
The final started out with a shock, as both of Jim Whyte's boats quit early in the mill. However, thankfully for Jim, he had already clinched the drivers' and boat championships in the class. However, with two boats out, it became a four boat final. Dave Brandt took the early lead, and like he has for so many times, never looked back. For the sixth time in 2024 he took the victory, including his third straight Gold Cup.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
1st: 1987 Miller American, Don Mock
2nd: 1973 Miss Budweiser, Bobby Colean
3rd: 1982 Atlas Van Lines, Marc Connelly
4th (DNF): 2015 Miss Elam Plus, Fred Stock
5th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Lexy Brandt
6th (DNS): 1981 Captran Resorts, Jason Colean
Don Mock made his triumphant return to R/CU with a new boat, taking the victory to advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1984 Atlas Van Lines, David Newton
2nd: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
3rd: 1987 Miller American, Don Mock
4th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
5th: 1985 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
6th: 1976 Atlas Van Lines, Wayne Beeson
7th (DNS): 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Bill Brandt
Stop us if you've heard this before: David Newton took the victory! The 2024 champ capped off a dominant season, winning the Gold Cup for his ninth race victory of the year. Mike Henriksen and Don Mock rounded out the last podium of 2024.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
2nd: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Gary Grembowski
3rd (DNF): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Paxton Reunanen
4th (DNF): 1991 The Edge, Paul Jackson
5th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
6th (DNS): 2010 Superior Racing, Jeff Griffin
Six boats quickly became two, and Aidyn Brandt narrowly picked his way through the debris field to win the consolation heat and advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
2nd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
3rd: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Mike Malloy
4th: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
5th: 1976 Miss Vernors, Kirk Maupin
6th (DNF): 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
7th (DNF): 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
Jim Brittain got a dynamite start and lead through the first two laps, with Fred Olson's Pride of Pay'n Pak right behind him. Both the U-65 Squire and Oberto spun on the front stretch, allowing Fred to extend his lead a bit with Geoffry chasing in the Circus. The Circus stayed about a roostertail behind, but Fred drove smartly to win his first race of the year and his first nitro Roger Newton Gold Cup of his career.
Norm Evans Memorial
The R/CU Board determined that the highest point scorer over the weekend over any of the classes would be awarded the Norm Evans Memorial trophy as an official race victory. Both Fred Olson's nitro 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak and Dave Brandt's gas 1983 KISW Miss Rock had perfect weekends, scoring 2800 points. The first tie-breaker was the race finish in the final; both boats won. The second tie-breaker was season points standings, so Dave Brandt's Miss Rock was awarded the victory.
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September 20-21-22
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
-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)