Race Circular: Governor’s Cup

The ninth race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Governor’s Cup, set for Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the ninth event of the year.
 
Location
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park
16324 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville, WA 98271
 
Contest Director
Ron Daum
 
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.
 
Parking Details – IMPORTANT
Only three vehicles are allowed beyond the gate at a time to unload by Snohomish County Parks. To enter, you need to have one of our three batons. If none are hanging on the gate post, wait for someone exiting to park to pass one if the batons to you.
 
Exceptions: the trailer hauling vehicle and those with valid state handicapped parking permits are allowed to enter and remain without a baton.
 
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 9:05-9:20 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 will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Lunch will be provided by Chuck Murray. Members should provide their own beverages.
• Awards will be presented following the conclusion of the final heat of racing. Please stick around for the awards presentation and celebrate your fellow racers.

 
Pre-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, Aug. 11. 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.
 
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: Ron Daum
• Chief Referee Modern: Rick Evans
• Chief Referee Classic: Ron Daum
• Chief Referee Vintage: Ron Daum
• Drivers Representatives: Dennis Caines & David Heilbrunn
• Pit Boss: Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Governor’s Cup Defending Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 Scale Modern: Nelson Holmberg, 2021 Graham Trucking
• 1/10 Scale Classic: David Newton, 1979 Squire Shop
• 1/7 Scale Classic: David Newton, 1970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Kerry Kjos, 1960 Miss Thriftway
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Craig Mullen, 1958 Hawaii Kai III

 
Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each. Connies and winner-take-all finals.
• First and second connies for each class (depending on total boat count and attrition).
  • Boats 5-9 in cumulative event points qualify for the first connie.
  • First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer boat. Second place in first connie is alternate in the final.
  • Boats 10-14 in cumulative event points qualify for the second connie.
    Second connie winner advances to the first connie as a front starter.
• Final heat with top five boats in each class, plus the connie winner as a trailer starter.
• 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 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 and Triple Crown winners. 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 forecast for the Governor’s Cup is partly cloudy skies and 78 degrees with a 9 mph breeze out of the west-northwest and a 14 percent chance of rain.
 
Restrooms
There are public restrooms available on site, and they 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.