Bud Pops, Rock Rolls, Ghost Rises, Notre Dame Blessed, Security Locks Down

LACEY — The ERCU Gold Cup once again proved that you don’t need full-size hulls to deliver full-throttle drama. On Saturday, the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course played host to the season’s biggest bragging-rights showdown, with five divisions dishing out spray, speed, and just enough heartbreak to keep things interesting.

A total of 50 boats were in the pits and the day got off to an early start with testing water at 7 a.m. and the drivers meeting at 8:10 a.m., rather than an hour later as normal. Because it was the Gold Cup, an extra flight of heats was added, and the number of race winners was doubled over the normal ERCU event.

In 1/10 modern, The 2004 Miss Budweiser (David Newton) stayed cool — and out in front — in the final heat to pop the top on the title. The 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream (Paxton Reunanen) battled through the consolation round to gain a spot in the final but the Budweiser start was tough to beat, as Paxton settled for runner-up bragging rights. The 1997 Miss Elam Plus (Chuck Murray) cruised into third, quietly reminding everyone that consistency pays the bills.

The 1/10 classic field turned into a high-speed battle of the bar taps with some classic rock in the foreground. The 1983 Miss Rock KISW (Reunanen) dialed it up to 11 in the final to snare the Gold Cup with 1,369 points, while the 1976 Olympia Beer (Murray) stayed cool enough for a second place, while the 1985 Coors Light (Jerry Dunlap) rounded out the podium, pouring in 1,325 points and more than a few frothy roostertails.

Over in 1/10 vintage, the prelim scoreboard said the 1964 Savairs Mist (Murray) was untouchable — 1,500 points and not a drop out of place — but the final flipped the script. The 1965 “Gray Ghost” Tahoe Miss (Dillard) rose from a quiet prelim to storm the last heat and claim Gold Cup gold. The 1958 Miss Moses Lake (Jim Latimer) took silver, and the 1962 Gale V (John Earnest) grabbed bronze, both shaking their heads over what might have been.

In 1/7 modern/classic, the 1972 Notre Dame (Scott Whitestine) didn’t just win — it put on a clinic. Three heat wins, a flawless final, and a nearly-perfect 1,900 points later, Whitestine was polishing hardware before the spray had settled. The 1982 Gilmore Special (Rob Edwards) claimed silver by keeping it steady, while the 2024 Goodman Real Estate (David Heilbrunn) closed deals all afternoon to sneak onto the podium in third. The 2023 Beacon Plumbing (Mike McIntosh) looked ready to flush the field early, but the final heat yanked the plug on that plan.

Over in 1/7 vintage, the 1982 Island Security System (Reunanen) locked down the Gold Cup like Fort Knox, sweeping every heat for a spotless 2,000 points. The 1969 Probe (Terry Harmer) stayed close enough to read the leader’s transom numbers but settled for second, while the 1964 Miss U.S. 5 (McIntosh) showed that consistent finishes still buy you a ticket to the podium.

TED JONES MEMORIAL
The Ted Jones Memorial might be the “first consolation,” but Saturday it felt like a victory parade for five drivers who turned their shot at redemption into their moment in the spotlight. It was the first time in several years that every class had at least one consolation race, in particular at the Gold Cup. 

In 1/10 modern, Reunanen wheeled the 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream like a man on a mission, rebounding from earlier heartbreak to claim the checkered flag in style. Smooth driving and smart lane choices carried the red, white and blue hull to the win, getting himself into the winner-take-all final, where he finished second.

The 1/10 classic race turned into a breakthrough moment for John Havens Jr., who scored his first-ever ERCU victory aboard the 1981 Spirit of the Air Force. Havens delivered a run that left him grinning from ear to ear. He later finished fourth in the ERCU Gold Cup final.

In 1/10 vintage, Dillard and the 1965 Tahoe Miss proved persistence pays, shaking off a string of DNF’s earlier in the day to cruise to a comfortable win. The “Gray Ghost” looked smooth and fast in the final, a far cry from its rougher starts earlier in the regatta. Dillard claimed his fourth ERCU Gold Cup with the Tahoe Miss, winning from the trailer position.

The 1/7 modern/classic field saw another first first, as Carl Lewis powered the 1975 Lincoln Thrift to his first ERCU checkered flag. With a quick start and consistent laps, Lewis never looked back, finally trading the role of “always the bridesmaid” for a spot on the winner’s list. The final wasn’t as good to Lewis, as he was unable to finish.

And in 1/7 vintage, it was a storybook ending for Scott Whitestine, who earned his first ERCU win driving the 1962 Notre Dame. After a season of chasing the leaders, Whitestine found his groove when it mattered most, piloting the light blue and white classic to a decisive victory. He later won his first ERCU Gold Cup with the 1972 Notre Dame.

For Havens, Lewis, and Whitestine, the Ted Jones Memorial wasn’t just a consolation — it was a coronation. For all five winners, it was proof that in ERCU racing, there’s always another chance to make waves.

By the end of the day, the champions were hoisting trophies, the also-rans were plotting revenge, and the shoreline crowd was already counting the days until next year’s Gold Cup spray show.