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Roger Newton Gold Cup / Norm Evans Memorial
Rollers create chaos to round up 2025
Saturday photo album available HERE
Saturday photo album from Dan Smith Photography HERE
Sunday photo album available HERE
Videos of the finals from Rattlesnake RC available HERE
The Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC came to picturesque Chelan, WA, for the final race weekend of the 2025 season, and it was shaping up to be an amazing weekend. The field was on hand to compete for the Roger Newton Gold Cup and Norm Evans Memorial, the biggest trophies in all of R/CU's history and the one that everyone wants to win. With three heats on Saturday and three heats on Sunday, it was bound to be a test for all of R/CU's best.
Saturday was marked by smoke from a nearby wildfire, but calm waters. Sunday was markedly different. Wind came down Lake Chelan, and while the Riverfront Park where we raced was calm, the rollers made conditions unbearable. The swell averaged about 1 foot of vertical drop, and no driver dared to touch full throttle. Most races resembled offshore races, as opposed to hydroplane races! Few boats finished heats, which made for wacky point totals, and some unusual results.
Special thanks to Mitch and Mark Evans, who came out to check out the racing action and help award trophies.
1/10th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
2nd: 2016 Miss PayneWest Insurance, Geoffry Grembowski
3rd: 2018 Oberto, Enzo Henriksen
DNF: 1955 Hawaii Kai, Luke Roman
DNF: 1998 United Furniture Warehouse, Jason Colean
Lexy capped off a perfect weekend and her fourth victory in Chelan in a row by taking the victory from the inside lane with the Speedy. In doing so, she collected the season long drivers' title. Geoffry Grembowski finished second, with Enzo Henriksen rounding out the podium with his new boat.
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing (Blue), Bill Brandt
2nd (DNF): 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
3rd (DNS): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
4th (DNS): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
This consolation was a good microcosm of the racing over the course of Sunday. Bill Brandt's Speedy was the only boat that lasted one lap, and even it had died (but went the furthest so it was awarded the victory).
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1986 Boat, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 1983 American Speedy Printing (R/W/Y), Mike Malloy
3rd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
4th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
5th (DNF): 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
6th (DNF): 1978 Miss Mark and Pak, Beau Rarig
This final was one of the better of the weekend, as Paxton Reunanen got the early lead with the Boat. Dave Brandt was trying hard to catch him, before hitting a roller and flipping. Mike Malloy and Henry Oord kept Paxton honest, but he was able to hold on to win his first gas scale Gold Cup.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
1st: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
2nd: 1982 Pay'n Pak, Joey Caines
3rd: 1975 Pay'n Pak, Wayne Beeson
4th: 1972 Notre Dame, Lexy Brandt
5th (DNF): 2011 Red Dot, Jason Colean
6th (DNS): 1975 Miss Weisfields, Bobby Colean
The 1982 Pay'n Pak touched a buoy and earned a one lap penalty, but was nearly able to make up the lap. Mike Henriksen kept the airshow-worthy Team Velocity on the water to advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1987 Eliminator, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1987 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
3rd: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
4th: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
5th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
6th (DNF): 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Aidyn Brandt
7th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
The electric boats had a little better time keeping running in the oceanic waves, and Dave Brandt capped off a perfect weekend with the Eliminator by taking the inside lane and never looking back. The champion-elect took the victory, his first Gold Cup in FE, and and 7th victory of the year. The perfect day also clinched the Norm Evans Memorial trophy for Dave and the Eliminator.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
2nd (DNF): 2011 Miss Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
3rd (DNS): 1983 American Speedy Printing (R/W/Y), Mike Malloy
4th (DNS): 1976 Olympia Beer, Steve Roman
Jim Brittain and the Oberto outlasted the field to advance to the final as a trailer.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
2nd: 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Kirk Maupin
3rd (DNF): 1994 Pete's Wicked Ale, Paul Jackson
4th (DNF): 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
5th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers
6th (DNS): 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
7th (DNS): 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
With a Gold Cup on the line, driver's left little to chance and really went for it. Four boats were all racing hard at the front, until the Stroh's Light, Pete's Wicked Ale, and Miss Renault all simultaneously crashed in the left turn. The Miss Esquire Products was able to get through the chaos, however the rudder was kicked up. Kirk navigated the next few laps slowly, but the Oberto was catching him. On the final turn, the Oberto appeared to catch the Esquire. The Esquire powered up to full throttle, but the waves and the lack of rudder sent the boat into the infield, incurring a one lap penalty by going inside the finish line buoy! That handed the well-earned win to Jim Brittain, his first nitro Gold Cup victory and 3rd win of 2025.
We'll see you in 2026 for the next season of R/C Unlimiteds racing!
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September 19-20-21
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)