2022 Meyers Autotech Championship Series
Powered by Rattlesnake RC

Dave Brandt caps off championships with multiple Gold Cups, while Paxton Reunanen collects his first

Saturday photo album available HERE

Sunday photo album available HERE

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After an entire season back and forth across Washington state, the final race of the 2022 Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC was finally upon us. R/CU returned to the most beautiful race site in the country, the Chelan Riverfront Park, just off the shores of Lake Chelan. Mother Nature blessed us with two beautiful days of mid-70s temperature, sunny skies, and no wind or rollers that Chelan is famous for. It was perfect racing conditions, and R/CU was blessed to race on the crystal-clear waters.

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The nitro classes and gas scale classes were all wrapped up by R/CU Hall-of-Famer Dave Brandt, who had already clinched both the drivers' and boat championships in both. However, the FE class was still up for grabs, with Rob Brackett holding a roughly 800 point lead in the drivers' championship and Paxton Reunanen's 1983 KISW Miss Rock holding a small lead in the boat championship.

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The nitro class featured a "two-for-one" special, as not only were we competing for the prestigious Roger Newton Gold Cup, but also the Norm Evans Memorial. The FE and gas scale classes were only competing for the Roger Newton Gold Cups, along with a four-heat points race for 1/10th scale electrics. With two full days of racing, and an amazing lunch on Sunday set up by Jackie Brandt and Patty Grembowski (thank you so much, ladies!), it was a great end of 2022 season.

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Thanks to Mark Evans, who watched some of the action on Sunday and helped hand out trophies!

1/10th Scale Electric Roger Newton Gold Cup Results

1st: 2018 Oberto, Jason Walters

2nd: 1972 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ron Cole

3rd: 1980 Squire Shop, Paxton Reunanen

4th: 1962 $ Bill, Geoffry Grembowski

5th: 1970 Miss Budweiser II, Clint Dunn

6th: 1962 Miss U.S. V, Jim Brittain

7th: 1962 St. Regis, Mason Dunn

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As mentioned above, the 1/10th scale electric class was run as a four heat, total points race for the small electric hydros. Jason Walters kept his new Oberto on the water just long enough to collect four finishes, which was key as he picked up 1400 points and took the victory. Ron Cole and Paxton Reunanen finished the podium, with Geoffry Grembowski being the best of the roundnose boats in fourth.

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Gas Scale Roger Newton Gold Cup Consolation

1st: 1990 Infinity Car Audio, Scott Meyers

2nd (DNF): 1964 Miss U.S. V, Derek Pierce

3rd (DNS): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson

4th (DNS): 1967 Miss Bardahl, Monty Hopkins

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Unfortunately, the Country Boy and Miss Bardahl failed to make the starting gun, meaning that it was just going to be a two boat dual. However, even that never quite materialized, as the Miss U.S. had a tough weekend mechanically. Scott Meyers took the easy victory with the Infinity Car Audio, and the 2021 Gold Cup champ had an opportunity to defend his title.

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Gas Scale Roger Newton Gold Cup Final

1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt

2nd: 1986 Boat, Paxton Reunanen

3rd: 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Bill Brandt

4th: 1990 Infinity Car Audio, Scott Meyers

5th: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen

6th (DNF): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte

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Dave Brandt topped off a very successful 2022 in the gas class, taking the Gold Cup to win his seventh race of the year and confirming his drivers' and boat championship in the class. Paxton's Boat showed improved speed over previous races and Dave had to drive well to hold him off, but we expect the Boat to be a challenger in more races next year. Bill Brandt took the last podium spot as he capped off a successful first year in R/CU's gas scale class.

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1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Roger Newton Gold Cup Final

1st: 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen

2nd: 1986 Miller American, Don Mock

3rd: 1986 Mr. Pringle's, Jason Walters

4th: 2008 Formulaboats.com II (U-7), Rob Brackett

5th: 2008 Formulaboats.com (U-5), Brady Brackett

6th: 1969 Notre Dame, Marc Connelly

7th: 2014 Graham Trucking, Wayne Beeson

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With plenty of attrition over the two days, no consolation heat was run. The remaining seven boats were lined up for the winner take all final. Paxton Reunanen took the inside lane and never looked back, collecting his first Gold Cup with the boat that won the FE Boat championship. Don Mock and Jason Walters gave chase, but could not run down the KISW, which took four wins this year. Rob Brackett's U-7 Formulaboats.com had unfortunate damage from earlier heats which limited his ability to get the full speed out of the boat. However, Rob finalized his claim on the drivers' championship, his second in FE and his first since the 2013 season.

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1/8th Scale Nitro Norm Evans Memorial Consolation

1st: 1994 Pete's Wicked Ale, Paul Jackson

2nd: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain

3rd: 1981 KWWW, Jim Latimer

4th: 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, Monty Hopkins

5th (DNS): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson

6th (DNS): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers

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The Oberto challenged Paul Jackson's Pete's Wicked Ale boat early, but Paul was able to establish an early lead and never looked back. The Pete's advanced to the final of the Norm Evans Memorial.

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1/8th Scale Nitro Norm Evans Memorial Final

1st: 1978 Squire Shop U-65, Dave Brandt

2nd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski

3rd: 1994 Pete's Wicked Ale, Paul Jackson

4th (DNF): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Paxton Reunanen

5th (DNF): 1974 U-95, Fred Olson

6th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt

7th (DNS): 1976 Miss Vernors, Kirk Maupin

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Dave Brandt took his second victory of the weekend with the Squire Shop, upping his nitro win total to seven. Geoffry Grembowski picked around all the dead boats to finish second, holding off Paul Jackson who was coming up from the trailer. 

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1/8th Scale Nitro Roger Newton Gold Cup Consolation

1st: 1974 Red Man, Paul Jackson

2nd: 2011 Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski

3rd: 1968 Miss Eagle Electric, Monty Hopkins

4th (DNF): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson

5th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers

6th (DNS): 1981 KWWW, Jim Latimer

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Paul Jackson took his second consolation victory of the weekend, moving up to the Gold Cup final with his primary boat. Main challengers Fred Olson and Scott Meyers were unable to finish with their respective hulls.

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1/8th Scale Nitro Roger Newton Gold Cup Final

1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt

2nd: 1977 Squire, Kirk Maupin

3rd: 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Paxton Reunanen

4th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain

5th (DNF): 1972 Notre Dame, Bill Brandt

6th (DNF): 1974 Red Man, Paul Jackson

7th (DNF): 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski

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Grembowski's Miss Circus Circus had the inside lane and was challenging through the right turn before flipping off a roller, prematurely ending the 2021's Gold Cup victor. Kirk Maupin, who has several Gold Cups and championships to his name, took the challenge to Dave Brandt, but was unable to run him down. Brandt won his third race of the weekend, along with his 8th victory in nitro in 2022, and after he already won the nitro drivers' and boat championships. A successful year indeed.

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September 23-24-25

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Location: Chelan Riverwalk Park, Chelan, WA

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Contest Director: R/CU Board

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Previous Race Winners

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

-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-65) [nitro], Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock) [FE], Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock) [Gas]

-2021: Geoffry Grembowski (1979 Miss Circus Circus) [nitro], Bill Brandt (1987 Eliminator) [FE], Scott Meyers (1990 Infinity Car Audio) [Gas]

-2020: Race not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

-2019: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-64) [nitro] and Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines) [FE]

-2018: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and Jim Brittain (1986 Mr. Pringle's) [FE]

-2017: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-64) [nitro] and Jeff Griffin (2015 Dalton Industries) [FE]

-2016: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]

-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Fred Stock (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE]

-2014: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and David Newton (2012 Spirit of Qatar) [FE}

-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Fred Olson (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE]

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)

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

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-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-65) [nitro], (no FE class run), (no gas scale class run)

-2021: John Olson (1971 Country Boy) [nitro], (no FE class run), (no gas scale class run)

-2020: Race not held due to COVID-19 pandemic

-2019: Scott Meyers (1987 Eliminator) [nitro] and (no FE class run)

-2018: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernor's) [nitro] and (no FE class run)

-2017: Geoffry Grembowski (1979 Miss Circus Circus) and (no FE class run)

-2016: Joey Caines (1983 Miss Renault) and (no FE class run)

-2015: John Olson (1976 Miss Vernor's) and (no FE class run)

-2014: Lee Robertson (1985 Squire Shop) [nitro], no FE class run

-2013: Paxton Reunanen (1994 Miss Budweiser), no FE class run

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)