Heilbrunn, Murray,  McIntosh Headline Action-Packed Jack Regas Memorial at Twin Lakes

MARYSVILLE — The Skidfin Solutions Championship Series made its first of two stops at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park on Saturday for the Jack Regas Memorial, and while the weather was beautiful, the racing was anything but predictable as drivers battled for bragging rights across six classes of radio-controlled hydroplane competition.

A strong turnout of racers and spectators enjoyed a full day of competition honoring longtime hydroplane supporter Jack Regas, with close heats, dramatic mechanical issues, and several dominant performances highlighting the event.

Heilbrunn Sweeps the 1/10 Scale Modern Division
In 1/10-scale modern competition, David Heilbrunn put together a near-perfect day aboard the 2015 Dalton Industries, winning two preliminary heats before capping the afternoon with a victory in the final. His 1,500-point total easily topped the field.

Chuck Murray experienced a frustrating day in the 2000 Miss Elam. After opening with a heat victory, mechanical trouble struck in the remaining preliminaries and prevented a challenge in the final.

Murray Dominates 1/10 Classic
The 1/10-scale classic division belonged to Chuck Murray and the 1976 Olympia Beer. Murray swept all three preliminary heats and then completed the clean sweep with a win in the final, finishing with a class-best 1,600 points.

The battle behind him was tight. Greg Roth piloted the 1982 Executone to second place, while Jim Hagan brought the 1983 American Speedy Printing home third. John Havens Jr. rounded out the field in the backup Olympia Beer.

Blue Chip Cashes In
The vintage 1/10-scale class saw another standout performance from Heilbrunn, this time driving the 1965 Blue Chip. After collecting 1,100 preliminary points, Heilbrunn powered to the final victory and another 1,500-point total.

Ron Daum and the 1957 Thriftway Too showed plenty of speed during the heats but were unable to capitalize in the final, while Chuck Murray’s 1964 Savair’s Mist was sidelined by a tough day of mechanical gremlins.

McIntosh Soars in 1/7 Modern
The largest boats of the day took to the water in the 1/7-scale modern class, where Mike McIntosh was nearly untouchable in the 1989 Winston Eagle. McIntosh swept every preliminary heat and then closed the show with a final victory, finishing with a perfect 1,600-point performance.

David Heilbrunn’s 2024 Goodman Real Estate showed flashes of speed but was unable to challenge after difficulties in the final.

Squire Takes Classic Crown
The deepest field of the day came in the 1/7-scale classic division, where eight boats battled through multiple qualifying heats.

When the spray settled, Mike Gossler emerged on top in the 1977 Squire Shop, winning all three preliminary heats and the final for a commanding 1,600-point total.

Rob Edwards secured second place in the 1982 Gilmore Special, while Carl Lewis finished third in the 1974 Lincoln Thrift.

The division also featured plenty of drama. Craig Mullen’s 1971 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak entered the final with the highest preliminary score but was disqualified in the championship heat. Several other contenders, including John Havens Jr., Chuck Murray, and Jim McKeon, saw their afternoons interrupted by mechanical issues.

Evergreen Roofing Rises to the Top
The final class of the day, 1/7-scale vintage, delivered one of the closest battles on the schedule.

Craig Mullen guided the 1980 Evergreen Roofing to victory, edging a talented field after a strong preliminary performance. Dennis Caines finished second aboard the 1968 Eagle Electric, while John Sjostrom claimed third with the 1960 Miss Thriftway.

Bob Van den Akker finished fourth in the 1962 $ Bill, and John Havens Jr. rounded out the top five in the 1962 Miss U.S.

Looking Ahead
By day’s end, Twin Lakes once again provided a picturesque backdrop for a full slate of competitive hydroplane racing. Dominant performances by Heilbrunn, Murray, McIntosh, Gossler, and Mullen ensured the Jack Regas Memorial delivered plenty of memorable moments as the ERCU season continues toward the heart of the summer schedule.

And we’re already on the clock for one of the season’s majors — the Roger Newton Memorial — Saturday, June 27 at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course in Lacey. Pre-registration is open now by clicking here.