RACE CIRCULAR: First-ever ERCU race in Ellensburg set for May 4

The third race of the 2024 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Governor’s Cup, set for Saturday, May 4, 2024, at Irene Rinehart Park in Ellensburg. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the third event of the year.
 
Location
Irene Rinehart Park
1081 Umptanum Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926
 
Contest Director
Paxton Reunanen and Briana Burdsall
 
Context
The Indiana Governor’s Cup (more commonly known as the Madison Regatta) is an H1 Unlimited hydroplane boat race held annually on Independence Day weekend on the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana. Madison has hosted the Madison Regatta annually since 1951, although the race was also contested in the 1930s. The race inspired a Hollywood motion picture released in 2005, titled Madison which starred actor Mount Vernon, Wash., native Jim Caviezel.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Governor’s Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/governors-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the race site map. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., Friday, May 3. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
You can also find pre-registration by going to www.ercu-hydros.com, then selecting “Schedule” from the main menu, and “Governor’s Cup” from the schedule itself.
 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:10-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:40 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• One 20 to 30 minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Race Format:

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.

• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

Race Officials

• Contest Directors: Paxton Reunanen, Briana Burdsall
• Chief Referee (modern): Rick Evans
• Chief Referee (classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (vintage): Paxton Reunanen
• Drivers Representatives: David Newton, Craig Mullen
• Pit Boss: TBD
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

Flight Schedule

• 1/10 scale modern
• 1/7 scale modern/classic
• 1/10 scale classic
• 1/10 scale vintage
• 1/7 scale vintage

 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed with the randomizer in the NAMBA Race Management System that’s used for scoring races. Every effort will be made to avoid preferred driver/spotter heat conflicts, but sometimes those cannot be avoided. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
Starting Clock
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m.
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
Governor’s Cup Defending (2023) Champions

• 1/10 scale modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 scale modern: Nelson Holmberg, 2021 Graham Trucking
• 1/10 scale classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock
• 1/7 scale classic: Craig Mullen, 1975 Miss U.S.
• 1/10 scale vintage: Chuck Murray, 1955 Hawaii Kai
• 1/7 scale vintage: Bob Van den Akker, 1966 $ Bill

 
Inspections
In 2024, all new boats will be inspected before the first race they run at. We ask that you print out the 2023 Hull Inspection Form, found on the Resources tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com), and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.
 
Visiting Drivers
ERCU always welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.
 
Restrooms
There are no public restroom facilities close on site at Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park. A SaniCan has been ordered to serve this event.
 
Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.
 
Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers, first connie. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not.
 
Weather Forecast
As of this writing, weather.com predicts a high temperature of 62 degrees, a 35 percent chance of morning showers and winds up to 9 mph out of the southwest.