Champion Spark Plug Regatta

 

Campbell, Gossler post wins in season opener

Dave Reiser's Breathless II (above) Nelson Holmberg figured out — the hard way — why hitting a "log" with your skid fin, doesn't work very well. The Red Man still finished the heat, but it was a chore.
Mark Gran and his newly-finished Breathless II. Jim Latimer, a new member to the club, with his 1960 Miss Everett.
Diane Earnest, Judy Fenton and Brian Gilmore taking care of the first boat draw of the day. Thanks to each of you! Dan Gilmore's new Thriftway Too was a major player in the Champion Spark Plug Regatta.
The 1966 Miss Budweiser takes a quick hop during a preliminary heat. A nice turnout of spectators lined the hill atop the shoreline.

Race Recap

When the 2008 ERCU Champion Spark Plug Regatta got underway the season was new and fresh, and anything could happen.

When it was done, there were two familiar faces in the winners’ circle.

Jeff Campbell won the vintage class winner-take-all final heat, driving his nearly unstoppable 1969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak Outrigger impeccably.

In the modern class, it was Mike Gossler who opened the season with a victory, driving his 1978 Circus Circus to a win – his second career victory.

The day broke clear and crisp while the course was being set up, and participants trickled in to the pits. A total of 43 boats (29 vintage and 14 modern) were in the pits for the Champion Spark Plug, indicating the season couldn’t have started sooner.

Among the impressive new boats were Dan Gilmore’s new 1960 Thriftway Too, Mark Gran’s 1957 Breathless II (which was finished at 4:30 a.m. on race day), Mike Campbell’s 1968 Harrah’s Club, Jeff Campbell’s 1969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak (hooktail) and Mike Gossler’s 1963 Miss U.S. 5.

While Mike Campbell’s Harrah’s Club scored an outstanding 1,500 points and finished second in the final, Gilmore’s Thriftway Too may have made the biggest splash. After a morning test run that was less-than-acceptable to the owner, as well as driver Brian Gilmore, something happened in the Gilmore Racing pits and the boat came to life. Gilmore finished the day with 1,325 points and took third in the vintage final.

The highlight was when, in a preliminary heat, Gilmore took advantage of a wide turn by the Outrigger, and slipped in to first place on the final lap. At the end, the heat was close enough to have been decided by photo finish, if it had been available.

In the vintage final, fourth place went to Bob VandenAkker, who continued his consistent ways, driving the 1963 Notre Dame to 1,094 points. Fifth place went to Nelson Holmberg, driving Kirk Pagel’s 1957 Maverick. The 1958 Wildroot Charlie of Ron Daum, and Doug Brow’s 1966 Miss Budweiser were unable to finish.

Defending Champion Spark Plug Regatta winner Jason Hartley took the vintage first consolation heat with his Miss Timex, and claimed another season-opening plaque for his collection.

Jeff Campbell won the vintage second consolation with his new 1969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak hooktail and earned the right to move up into the first connie as the trailer starter.

In the modern division, the day started with expectations of fantastic competition from boats like the 1974 Country Boy, 1978 Circus Circus, 1973 Red Man, 1982 Gilmore Special, and the 1978 Squire Shop.

Actuality proved that expectations weren’t always enough.

The Red Man, for example, blew over in testing, and then went through the serious part of Craig Mullen’s roostertail and barrel-rolled knocking it out of competition. After third- and second-place finishes in the next two heats, the Red Man caught a hole in the water and barrel-rolled again, knocking itself out of the modern connie.

Another example came with the 1974 Country Boy, which snapped its new wire drive one the last lap of heat 1A, while leading. The damage couldn’t be repaired in the pits and the Country Boy was forced to withdraw.

Gilmore’s Special also encountered troubles, and despite that, entered the modern connie with zero points. No matter, though, as Gilmore piloted the hull to first place, and a trailer position in the modern final. Second in the modern connie went to Henry Marvin in the beautifully-repaired Frosted Flakes, followed by Mick Shutt in the 1976 Vernor’s, and rookie Bill Shearer in the 1978 Miss Madison.

The modern final was a barnburner between two of the club’s fastest boats.

Gossler chased Brow for several laps, and when the Squire went inside a buoy, Gossler took over the lead with the Circus Circus. Gilmore moved through the field from the trailer position to earn second place, followed by Mullen in the 1971 Pay ‘n Pak, Steve Twardus in the 1971 Country Boy, Brow’s Squire Shop, and Bob VandenAkker’s 1974 Lincoln Thrift. The U-95 of Rick Lentz did not finish.

While the nice weather provided for lots of sunburns – a rarity for the season opener, which is normally providing for lots of wind burn – the racing provided for a very fun day had by all.

A very special thanks go out to EVERYONE who was in attendance at the race, as everyone chipped in and participated in everything from setup/breakdown to officiating throughout the day. John Earnest, our contest director, did another fantastic job putting the race together.

It’s safe to say that a very fun time was had by all.

 

Site Created By: Bullithead Design.