RACE CIRCULAR: Stan Sayres Memorial to run for 50th time

The fifth race of the 2024 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Stan Sayers Memorial, presented by American SaniCan is set for Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview.  Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the fifth event of the year.
 
Location
Lake Sacajawea Park
1800 Nichols Blvd.
Longview WA 98632

Contest Director
David Heilbrunn
 
Context
At 50 years, 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.

This year’s race will be a renewal to ERCU as the event will be run at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Please join ERCU at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview on Saturday, June 1 and relive those golden days of yesteryear, if only in 1/10 & 1/7 scale.
 
What to Expect:

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8:00 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8:00-9:00 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:10-9:30 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.
• One 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. 

 
Race Officials
Contest Director: David Heilbrunn

• Chief Referee (modern): Rick Evans
• Chief Referee (classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (vintage): Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat

 
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 with the randomizer in the NAMBA Race Management System that’s used for scoring races. Every effort will be made to avoid preferred driver/spotter heat conflicts, but sometimes those cannot be avoided. 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 9:00 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.
 
Stan Sayerts Memorial Defending (2023) Champions

• 1/10 scale modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/7 scale modern: Nelson Holmberg, 2021 Graham Trucking,
• 1/10 scale classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
• 1/7 scale classic: Craig Mullen, 1975 Miss U.S.
• 1/10 scale vintage: David Newton, 1960 Miss Thriftway
• 1/7 scale vintage: David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III

 
Inspections
In 2024, all new 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.
 
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.
 
Restrooms
There are public restroom facilities reasonably close on site at Lake Sacajawea Park but we will also have a portable restroom from American SaniCan located conveniently at the pits.
 
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.
 
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. 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
As of this writing, weather.com predicts mostly sunny skies and a high of 78 degrees.
 
Registration
Pre-registration for the Presidents Cup 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 gray box just under the race header photo. 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 31. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.