2008 Bill Brow Memorial

Bill Brow Memorial

For all of Mike Campbell's Bill Brow Memorial photos, click here.

For all of Jim Clark's Bill Brow Memorial photos, click here.

Campbell, Smiley take Bill Brow Memorial championships

MARYSVILLE, Wash. – For the second year in a row, it wasn’t much of a surprise that the 1974 Country Boy won the Bill Brow Memorial presented by Seattle Service.

And it wasn't a surprise that Jeff Campbell was able to drive his brother's boat to a first place finish. The surprise came when the brand new, and seemingly unbeatable, 1982 Executone (U-55) did not start the final.

As the U-55 sat silently, floating in the infield, Mike Campbell took some satisfaction in seeing his "back up" boat show the rest of the field the way around the course. Defending Red Dot Championship Series points champion Mike Gossler powered the 1978 Miss Circus Circus as hard as he could in chase, but ultimately settled for second place in the modern final.

Third place went to Craig Mullen with the 1971 Pride of Pay 'n Pak; fourth to Rick Lentz in the 1974 U-95; Fifth to Mike McIntosh with the 1977 Spirit of Dayton Walther; and sixth to Bill Smiley with the 1977 Charlie's Girl.

The vintage final was ugly by comparison to the modern final, where all six boats that started, finished. In the vintage final, there were two boats that hit the same called dead boat, and tempers were strained as just three boats finished, with most of the carnage in the apex of the left turn, which gave a lot of pause for drivers to drive very carefully around that turn. Second place went to Ron Daum driving the 1958 Wildroot Charlie, and third was Ryan Opfer in the 1955 Gale V. Jeff Campbell and Mike Gossler (driving Ben Keller's Miss U.S.) did not finish.

In the world famous Hydropalooza Blowover contest, four drivers met the challenge to intentionally blow their boats over — for bragging rights and for a cool trophy. The boats that participated: Henry Marvin and his Miss Exide, Bill Shearer and his Miss U.S., Jeff Campbell with his 1969 Pride of Pay 'n Pak Hooktail, and Mike Campbell with the Country Boy. While everyone managed to be in a wreck — including a hit boat — it was the Country Boy that drew the biggest cheer from the spectators on the beach. The Country Boy completed not one, but two 360-degree flips both of which Mike landed right-side up and continued going.

Seattle Service’s own Steve Baker was in attendance to check out the race. His support of the race over the last three years has always been appreciated, and has allowed Henry to do a lot of special things – including boxes of Frosted Flakes to connie finishers, prizes to be handed out randomly throughout the day, and a huge number of great trophies.

Another major thank you goes out to Steven Terpstra of IHOP for his complimentary gift certificates he donated to the days activities. Steven voluntarily came over to our event during set up on Saturday morning and offered up the complimentary gift certificates that we were able to give away as prizes throughout the day.

A couple of other firsts that should be mentioned include: Mick Shutt winning his first competitive heat ever, driving the 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto. Kelsey McIntosh making her first modern connie with the brand new Miss Budweiser T-2 (and finishing third from the trailer position); and Zane Courtway attending his first ERCU race as a boat owner. Prior to the Bill Brow Memorial, Zane purchased the Maverick from Kirk Pagel, and will be racing in ERCU more frequently starting this year.

Special thanks go out to all of the people who helped make the Bill Brow Memorial happen, but especially to Contest Director Henry Marvin, who's love for putting on this event was the number one reason why it is such a huge success each and every year. Thank you Henry for all of the excellent hard work you put in!