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Diamond Cup
Newton clinches first championship in FE, while Maupin and Reunanen return to victors circle in Tacoma
Photo album available HERE
The Meyers Autotech Championship Series Powered by Rattlesnake RC began its last third of the season with a return trip to Lakewood, just south of Tacoma, for the annual Diamond Cup. Contrary to the series' June visit, the weather was ideal with sun and just enough breeze to make things exciting on the backstretch. There was not enough boats to run the 1/10th scale class, but nearly 40 boats were on hand for the other 3 classes to make it a fun day of action!
Gas Scale Final
1st: 1986 Boat, Paxton Reunanen
2nd: 1977 Charlie's Girl, Mike Henriksen
3rd: 1984 Risley's Express, Derek Pierce
4th: 1993 Miss Budweiser (T-3), Jeff Snell
5th: 1974 Lincoln Thrift, Dave Englehart
6th (DNF): 1978 Miss Mark and Pak, Jim Whyte
At the start, Jim Whyte took the early lead for the first lap and a half with the Mark and Pak. The boat ran well in lane two, but this allowed Paxton to to start sneaking up in lane one. With mentors Don Mock and Chip Hanauer watching on from the shore, Paxton took the lead with the Boat and never looked back. The Mark and Pak broke a steering linkage and spun anyway, contributing to a DNF. Henriksen took second with the Charlie's Girl, with Derek Pierce collecting another podium with the Risley's.
1/8th Scale Electric Final
1st: 1984 Atlas Van Lines, David Newton
2nd: 1985 Miller American, Paxton Reunanen
3rd: 1984 Team Velocity, Mike Henriksen
4th: 1994 Miss Budweiser (T-3), Rich Matkin
5th (DNF): 1969 Notre Dame, Marc Connelly
6th (DSQ): 1976 Atlas Van Lines, Wayne Beeson
7th (DNS): 2001 Znetix, Donn Lange
Stop me if you've heard this before: David Newton aced the start and took the lead, never looking back to take the victory with the Atlas Van Lines. Sound familiar? It should be, as David has won 8 races in 9 tries this year. Following the race, it was confirmed that David had clinched the 2024 FE Drivers' Championship, his first in R/CU. Congratulations to the man known as Mini-Czar!
1/8th Scale Nitro Consolation
1st: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
2nd: 2004 Llumar Window Film, Zach Gordon
3rd: 2011 Lakeridge Paving, Gary Grembowski
4th (DNF): 1976 Olympia Beer, Steve Roman
5th (DNF): 1980 Miss Budweiser, Adam Faussett
6th (DNF): 2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson
Geoffry Grembowski took the early lead with the Circus and held off the rest of the field, as things got a bit chaotic. The Matrix flipped on the backstretch, with several boats nearly coming together in front of the leader a few laps later as they navigated the pieces. The Circus picked his way through to advance to the final.
1/8th Scale Nitro Final
1st: 1976 Miss Vernor's, Kirk Maupin
2nd: 2013 Miss Beacon Plumbing, Adam Putich
3rd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski
4th: 1971 Country Boy, John Olson
5th (DNF): 2019 Delta/Realtrac, Jim Putich
6th (DNF): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson
7th (DNS): 2002 Jackson's Sports Bar, Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson's brand-new boat died in the milling period before the start, allowing the Circus Circus to start on the front line. Through the first turn it was a four boat race, between the Delta/Realtrac, Pay'n Pak, Beacon Plumbing, and Vernor's. The Country Boy was called for jumping the gun. At the entrance of turn 3, four boats became 2, as the Pay'n Pak and Delta crashed while racing close and hard. From all of the chaos emerged "The Iceman" Kirk Maupin, who collected his first victory of the year with the Vernor's.
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August 25
Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood, WA
Contest Director: R/CU Board
Previous Race Winners
Race held in Waughop Lake, Lakewood, WA 2023-Present
Race held in Twin Lakes Park, Marysville, WA 2021-2022
Race held in Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg, WA 2012-2019
Race held in Hisey Park, Granger, WA 2009-2011
Race held in Rock Island, WA 2004-2008
Race held in Spokane River, Spokane, WA 1976-2003
Current-2020: winners shown as nitro // FE // gas
-2024: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) // David Newton (1984 Atlas Van Lines) // Paxton Reunanen (1986 Boat)
-2023: Paul Jackson (1974 Red Man) // Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines) // Jim Whyte (1978 Miss Mark and Pak)
-2022: Fred Olson (1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak) // Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com II U-7) // Jeff Snell (2014 Graham Trucking)
-2021: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) // Paxton Reunanen (1983 KISW Miss Rock) // John Olson (1971 Country Boy)
-2020: Race cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-2013: winners shown as nitro // FE
-2019: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2018: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2017: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) // Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame)
-2016: Dave Brandt (1978 Squire Shop) // Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports)
-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) // David Newton (2012 Spirit of Qatar)
-2014: Adam Putich (2007 Miss Beacon Plumbing) // none
-2013: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream) // none
Prior to 2013, no FE class held
-2012: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2011: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)
-2010: Kirk Maupin (1975 Atlas Van Lines)
-2009: Dave Brandt (1999 Pico American Dream)
-2008: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2007: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2006: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2004: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)
-2003: Bill Brandt (1997 Close Call)
-2002: Lee Robertson (1978 Squire Shop)
-2001: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-2000: Harry Gatjens (1994 Miss Budweiser)
-1999: Jesse Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1998: Lee Robertson (1995 Pico American Dream)
-1997: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)
-1996: Lee Robertson (1989 Miss Circus Circus)
-1995: Dave Blacksten (1988 Mr. Pringle's)
-1994: Steve DeSteese (1984 Miss Renault)
-1993: Tory McIntire (1989 Winston Eagle)
-1992: Ron Davis (1984 Competition Specialties)
-1991: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1990: Paul Dunlap (1982 Executone)
-1989: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1988: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)
-1987: Howard Price
-1986: Bill Smiley (1980 Pay 'N Pak)
-1985: Gale Whitestine
-1984: David Jensen (1982 Gilmore Special)
-1983: Jack Haugen (1957 Thriftway Too)
-1982: David Jensen (1977 Natural Light)
-1981: Jack Haugen (1957 Thriftway Too)
-1980: Les Ruggles (1969 Notre Dame)
-1979: Les Ruggles (Miss Supertest III)
-1978: Les Ruggles (Miss Supertest III)
-1977: Bill Smiley (Pay 'N Pak)
-1976: Les Ruggles (Maverick)