RACE CIRCULAR: Bernie Little Memorial up next at Twin Lakes

The eighth race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Bernie Little Memorial, set for Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the eighth event of the year.
 
This is the first time since 2018 that the club is running the Bernie Little Memorial. It was the first one chosen to be added when we adopted a 12 race schedule for the 2023 racing season.
 
Location
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park
16324 Twin Lakes Ave., Marysville, WA 98271
 
Contest Director
David Heilbrunn
 
Context
Bernie Little (1926-2003) was the most successful owner in unlimited hydroplane racing history. His Miss Budweiser team won 134 of the 354 races it entered. Miss Budweiser won the high points championship 22 years in 40 years of competition, and the APBA Gold Cup 14 times. His first victory came on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities in 1966 at the Columbia Cup. Little’s team is also known for making an enclosed driver’s cockpit to improve driver safety. Little has been inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. Bernie supported RC hydroplane racing for many years, and even sponsored R/C Unlimited for a few years. His significant contributions to the sport will never be forgotten.
 
Parking Details – IMPORTANT
Only three vehicles are allowed beyond the gate at a time to unload by Snohomish County Parks, and park rangers do occasionally patrol the park to monitor this regulation. To enter, you need to have one of our three batons. If none are near the entrance gate post, please 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. Members should provide their own lunches and 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 Bernie Little Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/bernie-little-memorial.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, July 7. 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 “Bernie Little Memorial” 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 or 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: David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee Modern: Rick Evans
• Chief Referee Classic: Ron Daum
• Chief Referee Vintage: Mike McIntosh
• Drivers Representatives: Dennis Caines & Chuck Murray
• Pit Boss: David Newton
• Computer: TBA
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Bernie Little Memorial Defending Champions (2018, the last time the Bernie Little Memorial was run)

• 1/10 Scale Modern: JimmeJames Cusworth, 2011 Valken Sports
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Kerry Kjos, 1960 Miss Thriftway

 
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 6-10 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 11-15 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 Bernie Little Memorial is sunny skies and 75 degrees with a 5 mph breeze out of the south-southwest and a 5 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.