ERCU’s first trip over the mountains sees great racing

Dateline Ellensburg, ERCU race number three, May 4, 2024, Governors Cup. The weather forecast was for rain and wind and the meteorologist didn’t get it wrong. Let’s just say, if your pop-up canopy had any tiny pin holes, leaks or tears you were reminded of it. The wind on the other hand, never thankfully materialized.

ERCU’s first ever race east of the mountains persevered and was deemed a great success witnessing the largest field of the year so far, with 30 boats in the pits. Three drivers were visiting, and the stacked field included the return of two H1 Unlimited pilots. ERCU thanks Jason Colean, Stan Marr, Michael Walcker, Brian Perkins and Jamie Nilsen for joining us and racing in this year’s Governor’s Cup.

Geoffry Grembowski took home the top trophy from the 1/10 classic class. You can just call Geoffry, “steady Eddie” as he quietly drives a borrowed boat to final heat championship and an impressive 1,300 points on the day. “The guy just wins, he wins a lot,” said Paxton Reunanen whose boat Geoffry was borrowing for the day. Walcker and Rick Evans scored the second and third place finishes in the class.

And how about Reunanen, who won the 1/10 modern winner take all final yesterday marking his third straight 1/10 modern class victory out of three races this season. And none of these victories were easy as Paxton has beaten serious competition from Mike Hughes (Winston Eagle), Nelson Holmberg (Bucket List), David Heilbrunn (Goodman Real Estate) and David Newton (Budweiser) among many others. “You don’t just go out there and take each of the first three races of the season without some amazing equipment and serious skill, he is really, really fast.” said Race Coordinator David Heilbrunn. Newton and Heilbrunn joined Reunanen, albeit a little lower on the 1/10 modern podium.

Jim McKeon topped the 1/7 scale vintage field to claim his spot atop the 1/7 vintage podium. Somewhat lackluster in the early rounds, Big Jim showed up for the final heat and was all business getting around Dennis Caines for first place at the finish line. This was only Jim’s second ERCU 1/7 scale vintage championship victory and everybody was elated to share the moment with him, it was really special.

In the 1/7 modern/classic combined class Craig Mullen drove Denise Sjostrom’s Miss U.S. once again to the winning circle. Ron Hartley, on hand for his first race this season recovered from a collision in the third heat to return for the final and score a second-place finish. Denise Sjostrom took third place with her Oh Boy! Oberto.

Also making his 2024 season debut, David Newton was (no surprise) in midseason form locking up another 1/10 vintage class victory with his 1957 Hawaii Kai III in wild and carnage-filled winner take all final. Jim Latimer and Grembowski joined David on the vintage podium.

Next up for ERCU is race number four, the President’s Cup at Waughop Lake in Lakewood on May 18.