Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series
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Next Race: Dean Chenoweth Memorial / Bernie Little Memorial,
Ellensburg (WA), June 13-14
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Rose Cup
Tune up for Nationals results in tense competition in the Tri-Cities
Videos of the finals, and a pit tour by Rattlesnake RC on their Facebook page, available HERE
Photo album available HERE
The fourth race of the Meyers Auto Tech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC brought us back to the Tri-Cities, this time at the familiar confines of the Columbia Park Fishing Pond. H1 Unlimited, along with several APBA inboard boats, held their annual Spring Training testing event on Saturday, bringing thousands of race fans into the area, many of whom wandered over to catch the R/CU action.
On Sunday, it was time to go racing. With this pond being the site of the NAMBA Nationals later this year in July, there were many on hand trying to get a final "Tri-Cities tune" in preparation for the big week. There were 56 boats entered in the four classes, and the competition was intense as everyone tried to get a trophy.
1/10th Scale FE Final
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
2nd: 1974 Miss U.S., Brooklyn Kinney
3rd: 2016 PayneWest Insurance, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 1998 United Furniture Warehouse, Jason Colean
5th: 1973 Red Man, Ezekiel Thrasher
DNF: 1962 Miss Supertest, Brad Lewis
DNF: 2018 Oberto, Enzo Henriksen
The 1/10th scale class in R/CU has been a true test of girl power, and the Rose Cup was no different, as Lexy Brandt and Brooklyn Kinney took their continuing battle to the water. This time, it was Lexy who bested Brooklyn, taking her first victory of the year in the class.
Gas Scale Consolation
1st: 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
2nd: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
3rd: 1964 Miss U.S. V, Derek Pierce
4th (DNF): 1976 Olympia Beer, Steve Roman
The Atlas Van Lines had a tough day, but rebounded in the consolation heat to take the victory and advance to the final.
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1969 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ken Olson
2nd (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh Light, Scott Meyers
3rd (DNF): 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Dave Brandt
4th (DNS): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte
5th (DSQ): 1982 Miss Machine Rock Band, Mike Henriksen
6th (DSQ): 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
On the run to the first turn, it was judged that the Miss Houston beared in on the Miss Rock on the outside, forcing the Rock to flip. The Miss Machine Rock Band and Miss Stroh Light were battling for the lead after lane one, when it was judged that the Machine Rock Band beared in on the Stroh Light, also forcing a flip. All of a sudden, there was only one boat left running, the Pride of Pay'n Pak! Ken Olson earned his first official R/CU victory, and a celebratory bath in the pond, by keeping the boat running and clear to take a well-deserved victory.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Consolation
1st: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
2nd: 1975 Miss Technicolor, KC Andres
3rd: 2011 Red Dot, Jason Colean
4th (DNF): 2023 Flav-R-Pac, Talon Moore
5th (DNF): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Bobby Colean
6th (DNF): 1989 Winston Eagle, Dylan Hirano
Having taken the 1/10th scale final with the Speedy, Lexy continued an impressive 2026 with a smart drive to take the consolation heat and advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Electric (FE) Final
1st: 1987 Eliminator, Dave Brandt
2nd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord
3rd: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Lexy Brandt
4th: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Steven Kinney
5th (DNF): 1977 Miss Esquire Products, Aidyn Brandt
6th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
7th (DNS): 1985 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
The final heat featured all four members of the Brandt family, racing against 3 other challengers. Aidyn and Bill did not make it out of the race. Henry Oord had the speed with the Miss Houston but was not able to take down R/CU's winningest driver, as Dave Brandt took his first victory of the year with the Eliminator.
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
2nd: 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
DNF: 2011 Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
DNF: 1974 Red Man, Steve Roman
DNF: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain
DNS: 1983 Miss Renault, Joey Caines
A variety of mechanical issues befell the field, as the U-64 Squire Shop and Matrix Auto Systems were the two boats that were able to finish the five laps. Aidyn took the victory to advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1978 Squire Shop (U-65), Dave Brandt
2nd: 1977 Squire, Kirk Maupin
3rd: 1978 Squire Shop (U-64), Aidyn Brandt
4th: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
5th (DNF): 1988 Miss Stroh Light, Scott Meyers
6th (DNF): 1983 American Speedy Printing, Bill Brandt
7th (DNS): 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Steve Kinney
Dave Brandt took the early lead with the Squire Shop and never looked back. Scott Meyers and Kirk Maupin were battling hard behind when the Stroh flipped in the backstretch, along with the Speedy Printing. The Squire finished second, with the Squire Shop rounding out the podium as Dave Brandt took his second victory of the year in nitro.
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May 30-31
Location: Family Fishing Pond at Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA
Contest Director: Brandt Family
Previous Race Winners:
Race held in Kennwick, WA 2026-Present
Race held in Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA 2009-2015, 2019-2025
Race held in Longview, WA 1991, 1994, 2008
Race held in Woodland, WA 1995-2007
Race held in Fairview, OR 1992-1993
Race held in Portland, OR 1976-1990
Current-2020: winners shown as nitro // FE // gas
-2026: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop (U-65) // Dave Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Ken Olson (1969 Pride of Pay'n Pak)
-2025: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Dave Brandt (1987 Eliminator) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2024: Adam Putich (2007 Miss Beacon Plumbing) // Dave Brandt (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2023: Scott Meyers (1988 Miss Stroh's Light) // Don Mock (1985 Miller American) // Henry Oord (1983 Miss Houston)
-2022: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop U-65) // Don Mock (1985 Miller American) // Dave Brandt (1983 KISW Miss Rock)
-2021: Race not held
-2020: Race not held
2019-2013: winners shown as nitro // FE
-2019: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) //Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com II)
-2018: Race not held
-2017: Race not held
-2016: Race not held
-2015: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream) // Mike Gossler (1982 Executone)
-2014: Rich Matkin (2007 Boeing Dreamliner) // none
-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // Rob Brackett (2011 Valken.com)
Prior to 2013, only nitro class run
-2012: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2011: David Newton (2000 Miss Budweiser)
-2010: Kirk Maupin (1975 Atlas Van Lines)
-2009: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2008: David Newton (1985 Miss 7-Eleven)
-2007: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2006: Gary Jensen (1971 Hallmark Homes)
-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2004: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2003: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2002: Jeff Snell (1984 Coors Light)
-2001: Eric Akeson (1986 Frank Kenney Toyota)
-2000: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay'N Pak)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Bill Brandt (1976 Miss Vernors)
-1997: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1996: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1995: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay'N Pak)
-1994: Rocky Fridell (1987 Miller American)
-1993: Don Mock (1982 Atlas Van Lines)
-1992: Terry Olding (1984 Tosti Asti)
-1991: Bill Amick (1986 Horizon Air)
-1990: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay' N Pak)
-1989: Dallas Cook (1961 Tempest)
-1988: Roger Newton (1984 Squire Shop)
-1987: Bill Smiley
-1986: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay' N Pak)
-1985: Bob Brackett (1984 Squire Shop)
-1984: David Jensen (1982 Gilmore Special)
-1983: Butch Melewski (1957 Thriftway Too)
-1982: Les Ruggles, Miss Eagle Electric
-1981: Jack Haugen (1957 Thriftway Too)
-1980: Butch Melewski (1968 Miss Bardahl)
-1979: Gale Whitestine (Lincoln Thrift)
-1978: Roger Newton (Miss Budweiser)
-1977: Butch Godfrey (Shanty I)
-1976: Bill Hornell (Thriftway Too)