2004 GOLD CUP

On August 29^th, Classic Thunder held its Gold Cup race on Lake Waughop in Lakewood, WA.  The Gold Cup is always the season’s biggest race, which includes qualifying in Division 1 and an extra flight of heats in both divisions.   The event was sponsored by RC-Hydros.com, and Gary Simpson with contributions from the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, Bob Vanden Akker and Mitch Dillard.  Heck, everyone pitched in and made this a really cool event.   It was a long day of hard racing and some surprises.  The warm weather cooperated, but the changing winds and water conditions kept us on our toes.  This race was not short on thrills and spills. 

MISS SEATTLE WINS AT WAUGHOP 

DALE CAPTURES HIS FIRST CT DIV.1 GOLD CUP!

We showed up to Fort Steilacoom Park and discovered the lake in a condition that would have best been described as septic.  The algae had gotten to a point where the parks department had posted a warning about toxicity in the water.   The surface was kind of nasty looking near the shore and was as flat as a mirror.  Fortunately the prevalent tide winds came along later and really cleaned things up for us.  Kudos to Mother Nature.  At the time, the warm sunshine rising from behind us was a welcome addition to what was fast becoming an ideal day for racing.  We didn’t think about the impact the sun would have later in the day when it would drop right down into our line of vision.  Needless to say it made a lasting impression on all of us and caused added to the intensity of the final heats.

The day started with qualifying in division 1. 12 boats battled the rather sticky water to earn valuable season points.   The top qualifier for the day was Pete Schille’s Mr. P’s.  Pete was awarded the Fast Qualifier checkered flag trophy and 400 season points.  He was closely followed by Jeff Howard’s Miss Budweiser  in second and Mitch Dillard’s Gale IV in third.  We also saw the debut of Pat Malaspina’s brand new Miss Thriftway.  He recently took delivery of the boat from builder, Pete Schille.  Pat wasted no time and had the boat up and running fast her very first time out.  He qualified well and made a promising showing before wet radio gear problems began to plague him later in the day.  Pat also took delivery of another boat over the last couple of weeks.  It’s not geared up yet, but his gorgeous model of the Thriftway Too was on display.  A builder in Alabama shipped it to him recently.  It looks fabulous and is awaiting some finishing touches.  We’re not sure if it will be a racing model or not, but it’s appearant that Pat has jumped into division 1 in a big way.  He picked up a heat win with his new Thriftway in heat 3B.  Some of the other boats on hand included Bob Vanden Akker’s Notre Dame, Dave Sacry’s Short Circuit, Mike Krone’s Hurricane IV and Dale Van Wyk’s Berryessa Belle.   The Belle was driven by Dale and his relief driver Jeff Howard stepped in when Dale had to drive the Miss Seattle in the same heat.  Mitch Dillard’s Gale IV would salvage a difficult day by winning the Consolation Heat and advancing to the Final as the trailer.  Craig Mullen’s $ Bill, John Dyer’s Rebel, Suh, Bob Vanden Akker’s Miss US 5, Dale Van Wyk’s Miss Seattle and Pete Schille’s Mr. P’s earned their way to the Final on points.

The Final Heat started with the Mr. P’s on the inside, with Rebel, Suh, Miss Seattle and $ Bill on her outside.  The Miss US 5 started with a flying start from the outside.  This was a great start.  The Miss US 5 wasted no time in giving us some excitement.  She was at top speed at the start and blew over heading for turn one.  Miss Seattle had a slight lead over the Mr. P’s at the end of lap one and was being challenged all the way.  $ Bill and Rebel, Suh followed.  $ Bill got a one-lap penalty for striking a buoy. Gale IV was able to pry third place away from Rebel, Suh, but also managed to blast a buoy later in the race.  Gale IV would finish the day in fifth place.  $ Bill crossed the line in fourth.   The ever-improving Rebel, Suh earned a respectable third place finish.  Mr. P’s battled for the lead for five full laps, but would not be able to take the lead away.  A valiant effort and some really good racing earned him a very strong second place finish.   It was the Miss Seattle that grabbed the lead early on and held off the relentless challenge to bring home her impressive fourth win of the season.  It was nice to see her cross the line to the cheers and applause of Dale’s family and other spectators.  They had certainly seen a great race.  Congratulations to Dale Van Wyk’s Miss Seattle, winner of the 2004 Classic Thunder Gold Cup in Division 1!  This was Dale’s first Gold Cup victory and it is well deserved.  The Seattle has been very fast all season.  It makes you wonder what the points race would look like had she not missed two races.  By the end of the day, the sun made it difficult to see, but still there was great racing. My hat is off to all of you guys.  Way to put on a show!

BACK TO BACK WINS FOR TURBINE PAK

MCGRAW STRIKES GOLD IN DIV.2!

We were greeted to more great racing in division 2 for the Gold Cup.  12 Boats lit up the green waters of Waughop to challenge for the crown.  Throughout the day, things turned upside down literally and figuratively with these boats.  We saw previously successful boats go down with problems and then come back.  We saw dominant boats clean house and then struggle.  We saw boats that had struggled in past races, show signs of recovery.  Division 2 has become a fast moving drama for the race teams.  It’s a lot of fun.  It’s like Jerry Springer on water!  You never know what you might see!  The exciting field included Mike Krone’s Island Security Systems, John Dyer’s 76 Atlas Van Lines, Pat Malaspina’s Squire Shop, Bob Vanden Akker’s Candyman, Dave Sacry’s Weisfields and Dave Helton’s American Speedy Printing.  The Speedy Printing was withdrawn from competition after she sustained some hull damage in a preliminary heat collision with the Weisfields.  Hopefully, damage was minimal and we’ll see that very fast boat back on the water soon.  Pete Schille’s Stroh Light came back from a frustrating day to win the Consolation Heat and advance to the Final as the trailer.  The boat flipped wildly and sustained some damage in an earlier heat.  Dale Van Wyk’s 83 Atlas Van Lines, Bill McGraw’s Turbine Pay’n Pak, Jeff Howard’s Dewalt Tools, Craig Mullen’s 71 Pride of Pay’n Pak and Mitch Dillard’s Coors Dry earned their way to the Final on points. 

The Final Heat began with the Coors Dry in lane one, but slightly behind the Turbine Pak in lane two.  The Turbine Pak passed the Coors at the start and led into the first turn.  The Coors ran into the Turbine Pak’s roostertail and dropped to second followed closely by the 71 Pak.  The two were followed closely up the backstretch by the 83 Atlas.  Atlas then spun, but quickly got going again.  At the end of lap one, the Turbine Pak held the lead followed by 71 Pak, who had just passed the Coors at the exit of turn two.  The 83 Atlas was fourth followed by the charging Stroh Light.  The Dewalt had spun on the mill lap and got a horrible start.  She had been passed by the Stroh early and was now running in sixth.  The 71 Pakspun in turn two at the end of lap three.  The Coors was able to slow in time and negotiate around to take over second.  The Turbine Pak used the opportunity and extended her lead.  The 71 Pak got going again and took off after the Coors.  She caught up on the backstretch, ran right up to the back of Coors and somehow flipped.  We couldn’t tell how it happened, but the boats didn’t appear to touch each other.  By this time of the day, the sun was casting an incredible glare in the backstretch, making it impossible to see your boat for about two seconds.  We were basically driving blind.  The 71 Pak was now laying somewhere in the backstretch where it was literally impossible to see.  The Coors took out the entrance buoy in turn two after coming out of the glare and would have to run an extra lap.  The Dewalt flipped or spun in the glare and became disabled on lap four also.  So now there were two invisible boats floating in the backstretch somewhere.  At some point, the 83 Atlas had also gone dead and joined them in the glare.  This was getting scary.  As far as we know, none of them got run over by anyone and we’re thankful.  When all was said and done, Coors Dry had come away with a third place finish.  Stroh Light ran some fast, clean laps to pick up second.  The big prize would go to the Turbine Pak for the second race in a row.  Bill McGraw held the lead wire to wire to take home the hardware.  Congratulations to Bill McGraw’s Turbine Pay’n Pak, winner of the 2004 Classic Thunder Gold Cup in Division 2!  This boat is really showing its muscle now after having problems early in the season and missing several races.  This is another “what if” question we could be asking in regards to the division 2 points race.  The Turbine Pak looks pretty strong.  Good racing guys!  It certainly wasn’t easy in those conditions.  It was like driving through the Bermuda Triangle in the backstretch glare.  You never knew if you would come out the other side.

I would like to thank Andy Kunz of RC-Hydros.com for the sponsorship.  We had a post-race drawing for two RC-Hydros speed controllers.  The lucky winners were Mike Krone and Craig Mullen.  We really like these controllers and I’m sure they will be happy to get them.  Thanks again.  Also thanks to Gary Simpson for his sponsorship.  He provided our new Gold Cup trophy for division 2 and it’s beautiful!  He also provided embroidered towels for the winners and ribbons that we plan to use at a future race.  Thanks to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum for the video, t-shirts, cards and books that they provided.  If you haven’t seen the new museum yet, go check it out.  They need as many members as they can get, so become a members!  The place is really cool!  Thanks to Bob for providing a tape of his own and a belt buckle as prizes too.  Thanks to Dan for being our head judge and Judy for being the “keeper of the book” and our “mistress of ceremonies.  You’ve all been a big help.  Thanks lastly to all of you who came out to participate and to watch.  We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again.

Next up is our last regular season points race.  Race#10 will be the Silver Cup at Coulon Park in Renton on Sunday, September 12^th.  This season has gone by so fast.  Guys are already talking about boats they want to make for next year.  Our Silver Cup is sponsored by Doug Tulip.  Be aware that we running the Division 1 race in it’s entirety, before starting the racing in Division 2.  Expect an email from Doug about the day’s schedule.  I expect the usual rough ride at Coulon, so put a little extra glue on those repairs.  Can’t wait to go racing again!  I love racing with you guys!

Sincerely,

Mitch Dillard

Classic Thunder Commissioner