2009 Gold Cup

 

The second half of the Classic Thunder schedule kicked off with the biggest and longest race of the season. The 2009 Gold Cup was held on the fast water of Woodland Creek Park in Lacey.  The race was sponsored by Classic Thunder and coordinated by CT members.

Optional qualifying runs are a unique opportunity held only at the Gold Cup. Boats began to hit the water to earn not only bragging rights, but season points. Both division I and division II qualified together. An unusually small number of boats went out to qualify. But for those that did, here are the placings and points earned.

Div. I Top Qualifiers

1.       Slo Mo Shun IV- Mitch                   51.7                        400pts.

2.       Miss Wahoo- Steve                         54.5                        300pts.

3.       Barney- Pete                                     55.3                        225pts

Div. II Top Qualifiers

1.       FreeI- Mitch                                       39.5                        400pts.

2.       Miller- Pete                                        41.6                        300pts.

3.       Kellogg’s-Tony                                  45.8                        225pts.

Division II

After qualifying on the pole (also known as first to you auto racing fans) the FreeI with Mitch Dillard went on a winning rampage. Scoring a perfect day up to the final heat. Qualifying second was the Miller American with Pete Schille. The Miller was having good starts all day, earning Pete high points totals. But later in the day, the Miller would blow over, flipping the cowling off.  Eventually the cowling was run over by Jon Zimmermon’s Vacationville. Pete would have to use a dummy turbine for the remainder of the day. Qualifying third was the Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes with Tony Minalia. The boat is only in its third race but it has improved and become very stable and fast. Tony celebrated his 18th birthday the Friday before the race. It was over 4 years ago when he came to his first race. Now look at where he is, building and racing boats like a veteran. Showing some great speed and not blowing over as many times as it normally does was Mike Schultz and his Griffon Budweiser. The Bud had some very quick heats and showed promise. Mike also had the Coors Dry on plane and cruising. However, Mike would make a bad choice later in the race, causing a bad wreck and taking out Mark Beatty’s very fast Lite All-Star. A usual front runner, Dave Sacry’s Notre Dame was having radio problems all day. He eventually pulled the Dame from competition. Hopefully it will be back to consistent form next race. Bob Vandenakker brought his ’74 Miss U.S. out and showed what he’s  got. In his second heat, Bob held off the FreeI for two laps. But the U.S. got in bad water and gave up the lead. Mike Krone finally got his Frank Kenney Toyota together and finished. For its first time out, it looked good. Radio problems affected the boat all day however. Mike will figure things out and get it running well.  Mike’s other boat, Design 360 showed consistency all day. 

Division II Final Heat

Boats that would battle for the win were FreeI Mitch, Turbine Pak Brent, Miller Pete, Frosted Flakes Tony, U-13 Dale V, and the trailer was Miss U.S. with Bob. The start and first lap was a test of bravery on the drivers. Going into the first turn, four boats tried to pack into lane one. The Frosted Flakes was lagging behind in lane two and got washed out when the boats went into the turn. The Kellogg’s would eventually roll over in turn one, ending its day. That left U-13, Pak, FreeI, and Miller to duke it out. The Miller would give way to the FreeI. The FreeI blew over trying to make up ground in 3rd place coming off of turn 2.  It landed  right side up,  but out of contention.  The Pak and 13 would fight for a win. The U-13 held off any attempts from the Pak, giving Dale Van Wyk and U-13 Spirit of Detroit its first win in division two racing. Second place went to the smooth riding Turbine Pay ‘N’ Pak with Brent Hall. Third place went to the FreeI and Mitch. That was the lowest podium finish for the FreeI so far this season. Fourth went to Miller Pete. And fifth went to U.S. Bob. Not finishing was the Kellogg’s with Tony.

Division I

Qualifying on the pole (first) doesn’t guarantee you’ll have a perfect day. This was proven with Slo-Mo-Shun IV and Mitch. The Slo Mo is a very quick and steady boat. But at the Gold Cup, it was a little off. In one heat, it spun the coupler and DNF. It also earned a DNF in another heat after a blowover.  Come the end of the day, Mitch wondered if he would even make the final. He would qualify for the final through the conny.  Qualifying second was Steve Dumanis and Miss Wahoo. Steve has this boat set up very nice. The Wahoo had its best day so far this season on Gold Cup Sunday. It led in most of its heats and placed nicely throughout. However, it blew over a couple times due to weather and water conditions. Never the less, it bounced back in the final. Third place qualifier from the morning was Barney Armstrong’s Machine with Pete. Another consistent day for Pete meant he still tops the point standings for the season this far. Division one racing is showing to be a lot more unpredictable since the introduction of the new Scorpion HK3026-1210. At the beginning of the season, Mark Beatty and the colorful Gale’s Rooster tail showed that they were the boat to beat. However, during this Gold Cup race, it showed the opposite. Mark ran in mid pack most of the day. And in the consolation, was out front when he hooked in the turn and went dead. Brent Hall’s Bobtail Miss U.S. was a smooth runner making his way into the final.

Division 1 Final Heat

If you thought the preliminary heats were surprising, you absolutely were floored by  the final. Half of the fleet would not finish. Boats making the final were Slo Mo-Shun Mitch as the trailer, Miss Wahoo and Steve, Miss Exide with Mike Schultz, Barney Armstrong’s Machine and Pete, Hawaii Kai Tim, and Bobtail U.S. Brent. For much of the race, boats were fighting water conditions, not each other. The water had become unpredictable. Barney’s Machine ended up on its lid in front of the charging Wahoo. Hawaii Kai became disabled after charging towards the front. Miss U.S. was in the mix but also fell to the gremlins. Coming from behind to take the lead was the Slo Mo. He had to chase down and get around Exide and the Wahoo.  He hung it out there , gained a little on every lap and did just that.  That would be the way they finished. Slo Mo with yet another win this season. Miss Wahoo and Steve Dumanis tacking on a second podium finish this year. And the always exciting to watch, Mike Schultz and Miss Exide getting its first podium this year with a third. It was at this race course a year ago where Mike’s previous Exide exploded. Throwing the driver high into the air and lodging a battery in the bow of the boat. Looks like Mike has things figured out.

We would like to congratulate our winnerss, Dale Van Wyk and Mitch Dillard for staying on their toes after such a long day of racing. We would like to thank the sponsors and people who helped run the Gold Cup. Thank you to Dan for bringing the recovery boat. And Pete for keeping track of the qualifying chart.

Up next, it’s time to do a little Apple Cup racing. We are once again at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey. You get to sleep in a little later this time. Drivers’ meeting is at 10:30 with no qualifying before. Prepare for  more fast paced action as the second half of the CT season continues. Be sure to wear your purple and gold and let Mitch know, we will be after him. Till then, take care and stay safe.

Go Dawgs!!!

-Tony “The Tiger” Minalia