RACE CIRCULAR: Atomic Cup in Elma

The 12th and final race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Atomic Cup. This race is set for Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for final event of the year.

Location
Vance Creek Pond #2 Boat Launch
Wenzel Slough Road
Elma, WA 98541

Contest Director
Nelson Holmberg

Context
The Columbia River towns of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland first climbed on the unlimited bandwagon in 1966 with the first annual Tri-Cities Atomic Cup. There had been talk of inviting the unlimiteds there as early as 1958. But 1966 was when it finally happened. Bill Brow was the winner that first year, driving Bernie Little’s Miss Budweiser. The race remained named the Atomic Cup until 1976 when it was renamed the Columbia Cup. In 2006, when the race lost its title sponsorship from Budweiser, the event was run as the Atomic Cup once again, but with the arrival of Lamb Weston as title sponsor in 2007, it returned to being the Columbia Cup. ERCU last raced in Elma in 2012 and 2013. Ron Forister swept both finals in 2013 with his 1999 Miss Madison and 1971 Miss Madison, respectively.

What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Course will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:20 a.m.
• Racing begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. (maximum of 10 minutes after drivers meeting)
• Three flights of heats for each division (1/10 and 1/7)
• First and second consolations (depending on boat count and attrition)
• First connie winner is trailer in the final
• First connie second place is alternate for the final
• Second connie winner starts on the front line in first connie
• Winner-take-all final heats will be run for each class
• One minute-30 second start clock for all racing
• A 30-minute lunch break, with open water time, will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Racers should bring their own lunch and drinks.

Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Atomic Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/atomic-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a gray box near the top of the page. Pre-registration will close at 11:00 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29. 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 “Atomic Cup” from the schedule itself.

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 the testing period. 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.

Race Officials
Contest Director: Nelson Holmberg
Chief Referee Modern: Bob Van den Akker
Chief Referee Classic: David Heilbrunn
Chief Referee Vintage: TBA
Drivers Representatives: Paxton Reunanen & Craig Mullen
Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

Atomic Cup Defending Champions
1/10 Scale Modern: Ron Forister, 1999 Miss Madison
1/10 Scale Vintage: Ron Forister, 1971 Miss Madison

Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each.
• Winner-take-all final heats
• Boats 1-5 in total cumulative Atomic Cup points for each class are front line starters
• First consolation winner for each class is trailer in the Atomic Cup final
• Boats 6-10 qualify for first consolation for each class and all start on the front line
• Winner of the first consolation may move into the final heat as a trailer boat.
• Second place boat in first consolation is alternate to the trailer in the final

Flight Schedule

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

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once each day’s racing is complete. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. 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
The long range forecast for September 30 in Elma is 66 degrees and showers with a 58 percent chance of rain with 7 mph winds out of the southwest. Stay tuned for updated forecasts as they become more clear prior to race weekend.

Restrooms
Restrooms are available in the park and are expected to be open.

Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source to charge your batteries if you need to charge during the day.