2005 PRESIDENT'S CUP

On June 5^th Classic Thunder held its 2005 President’s Cup at Coulon Park in Renton, WA.  The event was sponsored by our very own Bill McGraw with contributions from Tim Knowles and the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum.  We would like to thank them all for their support. 

The water was fairly good, but a stiff, unpredictable wind blew almost continuously from the south and southwest.  Just to keep things interesting we were periodically confronted with rollers from pleasure boats and jet skis.  We battled the lumps and bumps that have become typical with Coulon racing and staged what turned out to be a really exciting race.  Though the water conditions were difficult at times, I don’t recall seeing any collisions between boats.  It was pretty tough out there, so drivers allowed enough room to operate and raced with respect for the conditions and each other.  That’s the kind of racing that we like to see and you are to be commended.   Good driving guys! 

Division 2 racing started the show with nine boats competing.  Craig Mullen’s beautiful new American Spirit got its first taste of competition.  The boat ran fast, but was plagued with mechanical problems throughout the day.  Look for better things from that boat in the future. 

The Final Heat in Division 2 included Dave Sacry’s Weisfields, Danny Sacry’s Circus Circus, Jeff Howard’s Elam, Mitch Dillard’s Miller High Life and Mike Krone’s Island Security Systems.  They were joined by Pete Schille’s Llumar Window Film, who advanced from the Consolation Heat as the trailer.  The heat started with the Miller hitting the line first with the Circus Circus on her inside.  The Miller was first out of turn one and up the backstretch with the Circus, Elam and Weisfields in hot pursuit.  Meanwhile, Llumar started from the trailer and got past a late starting Island Security Systems.  Who would have guessed that Llumar would pick off the competition one by one in a fateful effort over the next several laps?  Not us.  The Miller held its lead at the end of lap two, but unexpectedly rolled at the exit of turn one on lap 3.  Circus took over the lead for about a straightaway before going dead in turn two along with the Weisfields, who had conked out there earlier.  Elam took over after that and then swapped ends at the start buoy in the front stretch at the end of lap 3.  Before she could get going again, a lively yellow streak flew past her to grab the lead.  This was to be Llumar’s day to take home her first win of 2005.  Llumar would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the heat to become the fourth different winner in our first four races.  Elam would finish in second.  Island Security Systems would bring home third.  This represents Mike Krone’s first top-three finish in Division 2.  Division 2 continues to provide very close competition and much excitement.  Just look at the points standings!  You can’t ask for better racing than that!  Congratulations to Pete Schille’s Llumar Window Film, winner of the 2005 Classic Thunder President’s Cup in Division 2!

A dozen boats made up the Division 1 fleet.  Competition was difficult and more than one boat ended up upside down during the day.  However, there were fewer than you would have expected given the conditions.  Drivers did a good job adjusting to the conditions.  The day saw Dan Clark finish his rookie starts driving his Miss Burien and making a competition debut of his much-improved Tahoe Miss.  Good work Dan!  Another boat making its 2005 debut was Bill McGraw’s refurbished Outrigger Pride of Pay’n Pak.  Bill has been reworking this boat after winning some races with it in 2003.    

The Division 1 Final heat included Pete Schille’s Blue Chip, Bill McGraw’s Pay’n Pak, Jeff Howard’s Budweiser, John Dyer’s Great Lakes II and Dave Sacry’s Short Circuit.  They were joined by Consolation Heat winner Dale Van Wyk driving his Miss Seattle from the trailer spot.  The heat started with a very impressive Great Lakes II holding the lead across the line.  Right with her was Pay’n Pak.  Bud and Blue Chip chased, followed by Short Circuit and Miss Seattle.   Great Lakes held off the Pak and led at the entrance to turn two.   The lead was short-lived as Great Lakes left just enough room for the Pak to skillfully slip by her cleanly and take over the lead by the end of lap one.  The Pak would go on to show her dominance on this day and was never challenged again.  Great Lakes II capped off a good day with a second place finish.  Budweiser suffered a blowover in the front stretch of lap two and would not finish.  Blue Chip came home third.  Miss Seattle moved past Short Circuit to claim fourth place, bumping Short Circuit to fifth on the day.  One thing is clear.  Whatever Bill did to the Pak, it worked.  The boat was almost flawless throughout the day and was able to handle the conditions better than anyone else.  Congratulations to Bill McGraw’s Pride of Pay’n Pak, winner of the 2005 Classic Thunder President’s Cup in Division 1!

We have a couple of CT exhibitions that we’re doing over the next two weekends before racing resumes.  On Saturday, June 11^th we’ll be at Lake Sammamish State Park during Tastin’and Racin’ and the following Saturday, June 18^th we’ll be at Biringer Farms in Everett/Marysville for their Strawberry Festival Pig Out.   They should both be a lot of fun and we encourage you to come out and bring the family.  Both events start at roughly 10am and run throughtout the weekends.  Thanks to the CT guys that are participating.  We appreciate it.

Race #5 is the Mapes Mile High Regatta on June 26^th at Angle Lake Park in Seatac, WA.  We are once again part of their International Festival, which is always a nice family event.  Come out and join us for some good racing, good food and much fun.  The City of Seatac puts on this weekend long festival every summer and we plan on putting on a great show for the people over there.   Hope to see you there. 

Sincerely,

Mitch Dillard

Classic Thunder Commissioner