Small turnout packs good racing at President’s Cup

Saturday, May 18, 2024, Lake Waughop in Lakewood. Clouds covered the sky, but everything stayed dry throughout with just enough wind thrown in to make things interesting. Eighteen boats made the trip for the President’s Cup contesting five classes with no entries on this day representing 1/7 scale classic.

1/10 scale modern and classic were combined on this occasion with just two boats in the pits representing each class. All four raced together and the points were tallied based on finish position. Mike Hughes’s Winston Eagle was head and shoulders above the field posting a perfect 1,600-point day. Jerry Dunlap’s Coors Light and David Heilbrunn’s Goodman Real Estate were Hughes’s closest competition but, in the end, it was all Winston Eagle.

1/10 scale vintage featured five boats including a very special appearance by Brian Buaas who returned to race John Earnest 1962 Dewey’s Lumberville. Competition was tight through each of the three preliminary heats between Paul Dunlap Exide and Buaas with Exide clinging to a slim 175-point lead over Lumberville heading into the winner take all final. Final heat saw Blue Chip and Evergreen Roofing blow over early leaving just Exide, Lumberville and Robbie Roberts’ new Country Boy. Dunlap did it again though with just a bit more to edge Buaas and Roberts for the victory.

1/7-scale modern had four boats prepared to shoot it out and one proved superior. Mike McIntosh’s 2023 Beacon Plumbing won all four of his heats earning the coveted 1,600 point perfect day. Denise Sjostrom’s Oy Boy! Oberto was the strongest threat to the Beacon finishing second on points and in the final heat. Terry Harmer debuted his recently acquired Chrysler Jeep and overcame early electrical issues to post a second-place finish in heat number three.

1/7 scale vintage saw five boats ready to throw down and like usual was some of the very best racing of the day. Mike McIntosh came out firing with his Island Security closing the door for the win in the first heat. John Sjostrom said not so fast and came out to take the checkered flag in both heat two and three with his 1960 Miss Thriftway. All the while, Bob VandenAkker and Dennis Caines were lurking with each taking second or third place in their preliminary heats. McIntosh however came back strong and lead the final heat from start to finish to win the final and stand atop the podium in both 1/7 scale classes on the day.

Next up for the Pentair Championship Series is 2024 race number five, the Stan Sayers Memorial presented by American SaniCan. June 1 at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Pre-registration is open now and we encourage everyone to get their 1/7 scale models ready and we’ll see you in Longview.