Race Circular: Seafair Trophy Race set to go under sunny skies in Lacey

The third race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Seafair Trophy Race, set for Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the third event of the year.
 
Location
Long’s Pond at Woodland Creek Park
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503
 
Contest Director
Craig Mullen
 
Context
In August 1951, the feature event of Seafair in Seattle was the Gold Cup. For the first time, Seattle had a major league sport; unlimited hydroplane racing! Stan Sayers’ Slo-Mo-Shun IV had won the 1950 Gold Cup in Detroit and earned for the Seattle Yacht Club the right to put on the race for 1951. So let us hearken back to a Seafair 70 years ago when the grass was green, the skies were blue, the Gold Cup was now in Seattle and Slo-Mo-Shun IV was defending. A time when the boats roared and thundered, the Seafair Pirates were not politically correct and the Buicks, well they were two-tone. Please join Contest Director Craig Mullen at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey on Saturday, May 13 and relive those golden days of yesteryear if only in 1/10 and 1/7 scale.
 
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 8-9:30 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:35-9:50 a.m.
• Racing begins 10 a.m. (maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing
• A 20-30 minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own beverages

 
Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Seafair Trophy Race is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/seafair-trophy-race.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 12, 2023. 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 clicking on “Seafair Trophy Race” 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 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.

 
Race Officials

• Contest Director: Craig Mullen
• Chief Referees: Craig Mullen or Bob Van den Akker (modern heats); Bill Mowatt (classic heats); Nelson Holmberg (vintage heats)
• Drivers Representatives: Tom Markos, Paul Dunlap
• Pit Boss: Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Seafair Trophy Race Defending Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 Scale Modern: Paul Dunlap, 2021 Graham Trucking (Owner: Nelson Holmberg)
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Houston (Owner: Chuck Murray)
• 1/7 Scale Classic: David Newton, 1970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1963 Coe-Z Miss
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Gerry Bordon, 1969 Parco’s O-Ring Miss

 
Race Format

• Three flights of heats for each division (1/10 and 1/7)
• All heats are five laps
• 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 the first connie
• Final heat with top five boats in each class, plus the connie winner as a trailer starter. Winner take all.
• Flight Schedule
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale modern
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale classic
  • 1/10 & 1/7 scale vintage

 
Inspections
In 2023, all boats will be inspected before the first race they run at. We ask that you print out the 2023 Hull Inspection Form, found on the Resources tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com), 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 models.
 
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 Seafair Trophy Race Saturday is clear, sunny skies and 86 degrees with a 9 mph breeze out of the northwest.
 
Restrooms
There are two public restroom facilities on site in Woodland Creek Park and they are expected to be open.
 
Electricity
There is limited 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.