RACE CIRCULAR: Governor’s Cup is up next at Waughop

The fourth race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series is the Governor’s Cup, set for Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Waughop Lake at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the fourth event of the year.
 
LOCATION
Waughop Lake, Fort Steilacoom Park
8714 87th Ave. SW,
Lakewood, WA 98498

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.
 
REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration for the Governor’s Cup at Waughop Lake 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. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., FRIDAY, May 16, 2025. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
RACE OFFICIALS

• Contest Directors: Jerry Dunlap, Jim Hagan
• Chief Referee (modern): Jerry Dunlap
• Chief Referee (classic): Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (vintage): Mike Hughes
• Drivers Representative: Jim Hagan, Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge next heat

WHAT TO EXPECT
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Race course will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:40 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 


RACE FORMAT

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.

• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

 
FLIGHT SCHEDULE

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

 
HEAT DRAWS
Heat draws will be completed just prior to the drivers meeting. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
STARTING CLOCK
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
RACE DAY MORNING
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m.
 
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 time trials. 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.
 
2024 GOVERNOR’S CUP RESULTS

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/7 Scale Modern/Classic: Craig Mullen, 1974 Miss U.S.
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Geoffry Grembowski, 1979 Squire Shop
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: David Newton, 1957 Hawaii Kai III
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Jim McKeon, 1957 Maverick

 
INSPECTIONS
In 2025, all boats will be inspected before the first race they run at. We ask that you print out the Hull Inspection Form and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat.
 
VISITING DRIVERS
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.
 
POST-RACE CLEANUP & 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, 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.
 

 
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 if you will need to charge batteries during the day.