Five different winners take crowns at Governor’s Cup

When the infamous Waughop Winds kicked up on Saturday morning, it was somewhat surprising. While the predicted torrential rainfall never materialized, what wasn’t expected is that the racing conditions would so closely resemble Ellensburg.

Nevertheless, everyone had to race in the same conditions and five drivers did a better job than the rest when it came time for the winner-take-all finals in each division. In fact, that had not happened since May 4, 2024 at the ERCU Governor’s Cup when it was raced in Ellensburg.

Mike Hughes (in his first ERCU event of the season), David Heilbrunn, Tyler McKeon, Chuck Murray and Mark Manchester each recorded race wins on Saturday at the Governor’s Cup.

The 1/7 scale division made a solid showing once again, with nine modern/classic boats and six vintage boats in the pits. Sadly, a few boats didn’t make it through the day, but the highlight was a really great race between Heilbrunn’s 2024 Goodman Real Estate and Mike McIntosh’s 2023 Beacon Plumbing for a couple of laps.

A total of 14 1/10 scale boats were also in the pits, and while the winds and rough water did claim a few boats during racing, we were treated to another great race between Murray and McKeon in the 1/10 classic final.

Hughes’ took first in 1/10 scale modern, finishing ahead of McKeon who took second in the new-to-him 2024 Bucket List Racing after finally acquiring it from Nelson Holmberg. Third place in 1/10 scale modern went to Heilbrunn’s 2015 Dalton Industries. The Miss Elam of Murray and Flav-R-Pac of Holmberg both failed to finish the final.

McKeon in the 1977 Anheuser Busch Natural Light survived the rough waters and a challenge from Murray and his 1976 Olympia Beer in the 1/10 scale classic final while Jerry Dunlap’s Coors Light followed in third and Jim Hagan’s American Speedy Printing, respectfully, followed across the finish line. Tom Markos’ 1976 Atlas Van Lines, driven by Holmberg, failed to finish after winning all three preliminary heats during the day.

In 1/10 vintage, Murray survived the elements with his 1964 Savair’s Mist to take the race win while Paul Dunlap with the 1964 Miss Exide and Heilbrunn in the 1964 Blue Chip were unable to finish.

When it came time for the big boats’ finals, Heilbrunn’s Goodman boat ran well and was able to stay over top of the rough water and out of trouble for five full laps to take the Governor’s Cup win. Second went to Carl Lewis with his 1974 Lincoln Thrift, followed by John Havens Jr’s 1976 Miss Budweiser (U-95) in third place and Denise Sjostrom with the 1990 Oh Boy! Oberto. After racing hard for the lead, McIntosh’s 2023 Beacon Plumbing ended up without a finish.

The 1/7 scale vintage final was another barn burner with McIntosh and Manchester getting after it. Manchester held on for the win, with his 1966 Notre Dame. McIntosh’s 1967 Miss U.S. 5 took second. Third and fourth went to McKeon’s 1967 Miss Lapeer and Havens’ 1963 Miss U.S. 1, respectively.

It was another great race for ERCU with a solid turnout of 29 boats, despite competing against a crummy weather forecast and the H1 Unlimited Spring Test session in Tri-Cities.

And now, we’re already less than two weeks away from the 51st running of the Stan Sayres Memorial — the oldest trophy in RC boat racing — which is set for Saturday, May 31 at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Pre-registration is already open and can be found by clicking here. This race is presented by Skidfin Consulting of Vancouver.