RACE CIRCULAR: Stan Sayres Memorial, Aug. 26 in Longview

The 10th race of the 2023 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Stan Sayres Memorial, presented by American SaniCan, set for Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the 10th event of the year.
 
Location
Lake Sacajawea Park
1801 Nichols Blvd.
Longview, WA 98632
 
Contest Directors
Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos
 
Context
At 49 years old, the Stan Sayres Memorial is the “world’s oldest and greatest RC Scale Unlimited Race”. Started in 1974 by Roger Newton and Monte Steere, the race has been contested in Seattle Model Yacht Club and in RC Unlimiteds before finding itself a home in ERCU. The only year the race was not run was 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic caused half of the ERCU racing season to be canceled.
 
Hydro Concours
During the Stan Sayres Memorial, we’ll be holding a Hydro Concours, where boats will be on display for viewing and voting. Anyone (i.e. racers, guests, friends, spectators, passersby, etc.) can vote on their favorite boats if they would like to. Ballots will be provided to each pit table and members are welcome to encourage anyone with interest to vote for their favorite boat in the pits. A prize will be awarded to the winner at the awards presentation at the end of the day.
 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Course will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:20 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 lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Lunch will be provided for all members present at the event, courtesy of Hobby Chef Racing Team

 
Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Stan Sayres Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/stan-sayres-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box near the top of the page. Pre-registration will close at 11:59 p.m., Friday, Aug. 25. 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 “Stan Sayres 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 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 Directors: Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos
• Course Marshals (setting buoys, chase boat): Paul Dunlap & Paxton Reunanen
• Chief Referee Modern: Bill Mowatt
• Chief Referee Classic: Ron Daum
• Chief Referee Vintage: Mike Hughes
• Drivers Representatives: Paxton Reunanen & Rick Evans
• Pit Boss: Jason Walters
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
Stan Sayres Memorial Defending Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 Scale Modern: David Heilbrunn, 2021 Goodman Real Estate
• 1/10 Scale Classic: David Newton, 1979 Squire Shop (Owner: Paxton Reunanen)
• 1/7 Scale Classic: No race due to lack of turnout
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1963 Coe-Z-Miss
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Dennis Caines, 1968 Miss Eagle Electric

 
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. 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 Stan Sayres Memorial is partly cloudy skies and 94 degrees with a 9 mph breeze out of the north-northwest and a 8 percent chance of rain.
 
Restrooms
A portable bathroom provided by American SaniCan will be provided by the club in the pit area.
 
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.