| Archived ERCU Newsletters |
5/11/08
Gentleman Jim Latimer and Craig Mullen have officially shed their "rookie" tags, having reached 1,200 points for their careers in ERCU. Mullen, who has experience in the modern class, had earned 831 points with a vintage boat in 2006. He now has 1,312 points this year for a total of 2,143 career points.
Latimer, on the other hand, is a first-timer in ERCU who bought the Miss Everett from Howard Price after a long career in RC Unlimiteds. He started the 2008 ERCU season scoring 521 points at the Champion Spark Plug Regatta in Centralia. He then followed it up with 751 points at the Bill Brow Memorial to raise his ERCU career total to 1,272.
Congratulations to both Jim and Craig for shedding their rookie shackles. Neither of them are any longer restricted to trailer starts in preliminary heats.
We have a winner!
This hull sat underneath the I-94/I-75 overpass for many years? Which hull? It ran as Such Crust IV (1) G-7 from 1952-53, then as the Thunderbolt (2) U-18 from 1960-62 and as the Spirit of Detroit display boat for many years.
It was Such Crust lV originally (Dawna’s boat in ERCU), then became the 2nd Thunderbolt, U-18 from 1960-62. Those are the only two names that it ever actually raced under.
The pictures and photo history of the boat are on the UD website. The picture on the railroad track is taken by Larry Wilson, the boat on a crane as Thunderbolt was taken by Jeff Dunn.
Our winner is Gary Hansen, who's response, "The boat in the picture ran as Such Crust IV (1) G-7 from 1952-53, then as the Thunderbolt (2) U-18 from 1960-62 and as the Spirit of Detroit display boat for many years," was exactly the answer that Jim Latimer was looking for.
Congrats Gary, and thanks to everyone who played. We had really good participation and a lot of close guesses.
Can you name the boat below that lay rotting along an abandoned railroad somewhere?
If you think you know the answer, send an email to the webmaster. Thanks to Jim Latimer, who submitted the photo and posed the difficult question.
UPDATE (5/8/08) — We've had lots of good (and close) answers, but we still haven't seen the exact answer that Mr. Latimer is seeking. Keep trying.
You've probably already seen this in the local news, but it was hard to resist posting such a great story of sportsmanship, and we can be proud that it happened right here in the Pacific Northwest. Granted, it doesn't have anything to do with hydroplane racing, or even R/C hobbies, but stories of good sportsmanship should always be recognized. Thanks to ESPN and YouTube for the video you can find here.
PGI Models, owned by ERCU's own Mike Gossler, continues to grow and its most recent addition to the hardware collection in its inventory is the rudder assembly built by Jeff Campbell. The complete rudder assembly — which includes the mount, tiller arm, rudder blade, bushings and a collar — goes for $45. A replacemend rudder blade alone is also available on the site, which goes for $21.50. To order your rudder assembly today, or to find out more about what PGI Models has to offer, click here for the company's website.
Here's a bit of a construction update on the 1973 U-8 Red Man:
As of last night, the boat is all put together. The cowling is complete (minus driver, dash, steering wheel and windshield…which are all still to come…and are the final assembly that needs to be done), and attached, the dummy motor is complete and attached, all of the hardware is in place (still need to do an antenna…but that’s no big deal). Next up is some testing time. We’d hoped to have gotten it out yesterday, but 1) there just wasn’t enough time, and 2) truthfully, there just wasn’t enough work finished yet. But now…we’re ready, so perhaps that will happen one night this week, after work. After that test it’ll be time for paint (assuming I did everything right with alignment and balance).
Very special thanks go out to those who have been very helpful in the project including Kirk Pagel, Mick Shutt, Jeff Campbell, Rick Lentz, and Craig Mullen.
—Nelson Holmberg
While we've had a recent rush of new or updated boat bios, it's again time for our friendly monthly reminder that there are still several boats that we need bios for. If yours is one of them, please click here for a boat bio form, complete the form and send it back. We'll even go find the photos for you that go with your bio. There's minimal work for you to do. The goal here is to collect and post as many as we possibly can for the "Boats" pages on our website. Once we receive that form, it'll be a quick turnaround to get your boat bio posted. Thanks! Send questions or completed bios to the webmaster.
The next event on the ERCU Red Dot Championship Series presented by Bullithead Design for the1/10-scale hydros is Saturday, May 10 for the Bill Brow Memorial, sponsored for the third year by Seattle Service Asphalt Paving Specialists. The race will be held again at the south lake at Twin Lakes, just north of Marysville. Contest Director Henry Marvin has requested excellent weather for that day and is preparing daylong musical entertainment, so plan now to attend. Remember this site does not have power, so if you have a generator, bring it with you. Also back for the third year will be the Hydropalooza spectacular – you will want to see this!
For the newcomers who have not been to Twin Lakes, and for some of us old-timers who may be directionally challenged, the site is about 40 minutes north of downtown Seattle. Go north on I-5 to the Smokey Point exit 206, Turn left (west) over the freeway and proceed to the first light. Turn left (south), and left again (east) around the new shopping center. The road will turn to the right (south) and become a frontage road adjacent to the freeway. The lakes are about one mile south of the exit. You can also get directions from your house by clicking the "directions" link on the race page.
Set-up will begin around 7 a.m., and the course should be ready to test by 9 a.m. The driver’s meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with racing to begin at 11 a.m.
Another sponsor has signed on for this year's ERCU race that's an official event of the Portland Rose Festival (Portland's version of Seafair), as Schumacher Racing Team has joined forces with title sponsor Hometown Hobbies, Portland Parks & Recreation and TechJet Imaging to bring (model) hydroplane racing to the Rose Festival.
The Hometown Hobbies Rose Festival RC Regatta presented by Portland Parks and TechJet Imaging is set for Saturday, May 24 in the Casting Pond at Westmoreland Park in Southeast Portland. It's the only Rose Festival event in Southeast Portland this year.
More information about Schumacher Racing Team can be found here.
More information about the Rose Festival race can be found here, or can be found by contacting Contest Director Nelson Holmberg by e-mail.
The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum has a new Gallery on its website, which includes many super cool photos, many of which haven't previously been on the website. It's most certainly worth a look. You can find it at www.thunderboats.org, and click on "Gallery" in the left navigation column.
Construction continues on one of the newest additions to ERCU's fleet of vintage boats, as Fred Holmberg's 1973 Red Man (U-8) gets closer to a first test, and new paint. Hardware installation is complete, and the AstroFlight motor system has also been installed. Additionally, the cowling has been put together and is ready to be attached. A brief test is proposed for Sunday, May 4 in Portland.
With just a couple of other minor things to get done before paint, Team Red Man is feeling like it's within the 80-40 rule for completing a model boat. While it would be great to have the boat ready for the Bill Brow Memorial at Twin Lakes, that's not likely, so we're now shooting for the Rose Festival RC Regatta in Portland.
On Saturday 13 hardy souls braved the sun and nice weather to attack the club trailer with brooms, cleaner and elbow grease to clean up after the last race and also make some long-needed upgrades.
Besides scooping out the approximately three tons of sand and completely drying out all the contents, members installed braces and shelving inside and organized the contents.
A spare tire, jack and wrench were purchased, and a spare tire bracket was fabricated and mounted to the tongue. The chase boat was cleaned, waxed and polished and the oarlocks replaced, just in case the motor wasn’t operable. The wheel bearings were even repacked, thanks to a heads-up check and action by Mark Gran.
As promised, pizza arrived at noon, thanks to Rick, Bob and Judy. A special thank you is offered to the Red Dot Corporation, who provided the use of their shop for all this activity.
Thanks too to the following members who contributed their efforts to the cause: Jeff Campbell, Monte Steere, Mike Campbell, Brian Gilmore, Rick Lentz, Mark Gran, John Burkey, Bill Smiley, Bob VandenAkker, Judy Fenton, Mike Gossler, Craig Mullen and Steve Twardus.
A message from our hard-working Tech and Scale inspectors:
"Thank you to everyone who helped set up and tear down at Lake Tye. The weather conditions were tenuous but we pulled it together. We have three weeks until our next race, Mike and I would appreciate if all boats were up to snuff in technical/scale areas. Though variances were granted (i.e. Vernors (no driver), Thousand Trails (no wing)), we have granted enough variances for the year. It is up to the CD before the start of the race to grant a variance for the day. Thanks, Bob."
Contrary to popular reports, and the "best" forecasts of Seattle media and weathermen and women, the ERCU Silver Cup is still set to be run on Saturday, April 19. The trailer is set to arrive at the park around 7 a.m., and setup will commence shortly there after. For directions to Lake Tye, be sure to visit the Silver Cup schedule page.
This Saturday ERCU inaugurates Lake Tye in Monroe as the site for the Silver Cup, hosted by CD Monte Steere with the gazebo sponsored by Golden Thunder Racing Team. For those of you needing directions, check the schedule page for a link to map out the area. Set-up will commence at 7 a.m. – helping hands are always welcome. Boat inspections for this year’s first time racers need to be completed before 9:30 a.m. The drivers meeting will start at 10:30 a.m., with racing getting underway at 11 a.m.
What is the end result of a great event that draws a crowd? At the end of the Champion Spark Plug Regatta in Centralia on Saturday, Contest Director John Earnest was approached by the assistant editor of the Centralia Chronicle newspaper who thanked ERCU for having the event in town, and offered coverage of the event in 2009. No doubt that offer will be followed up on in time for the 2009 ERCU season opener.
Mark Gran was the lucky winner of the Stout Tools drawing at the Champion Spark Plug Regatta, taking home a brand new Stout STX-250 X-Band Saw and an ST-CS250 Cutting Station. Congratulations Mark, and thanks again to Stout Tools for their generous donation.
Mike Gossler and Jeff Campbell post season-opening victories at the Champion Spark Plug Regatta. Photos and a full story can be found here.
The April newsletter is posted here. You can also find it in the Archived ERCU Newsletters section.
ERCU has become one of the hydro-related organizations that has caught the attention of KNDU/KNDO's HydroInsider.com website. The website has recently posted a preview of ERCU's season opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta in Centralia. We're grateful that Paul Dughi and the crew at KNDU/KNDO, and their audiences find our news interesting enough to post. If you've never before checked out HydroInsider.com, now would be the perfect time to do so — and consider bookmarking it. The site, and its attached blog, are updated daily.
The 2008 season is just around the corner, and true to recent ERCU history, the Champion Spark Plug Regatta will kick off the season.
This year’s race, which marks the third time in six years that the first race of the year is held at Fort Borst Park in Centralia, is expected to draw another large crowd.
Last season, Jason Hartley scored his first career race win, driving the Hallmark Homes to first place in the vintage final, while Mike Campbell started a sterling season with his 1973 Country Boy, taking first place in the modern final.
Contest Director John Earnest is so comfortable with the preparation for the race that he and Dianne spent nearly two weeks vacationing in Denmark, where their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter live. Thanks to the pond’s vicinity to I-5, more than 100,000 people are expected to witness (at least in part) ERCU’s first race of the 2008 Red Dot Championship Series presented by Bullithead Design. PGI Models are providing plaques, and new perpetual trophies are ready to go. It promises to be an exciting start to the season, as always, so if your boats aren’t yet ready for the year ahead, it’s time to get out the dust rags and tools, and charge the Lipos. A special thanks goes out to Lois with the Centralia Parks Department for her help in arranging the park reservations.
The trailer will arrive at 7 a.m., and set up will commence shortly thereafter. Testing will begin as soon as all of the set up is finished, with racing to begin about 10:30 a.m.
Finally...while the season opening weather in Centralia has been less than fun, that's no reason to skip this year's race. The forecast is for mostly sunny and 73 degrees.
Let's go racing!
Rick Lentz has provided several photos from the April ERCU Member Meeting. You can see those photos by clicking here, or by going through the website's "Photos" section. Thanks Rick!
More photos of the 2008 ERCU Spring Training session have been sent in by Rick Lentz. You can see those photos by clicking here, or by going through the website's "Photos" section.
Many thanks go out to Stout Tools, which has generously donated a Stout STX-250 X-Band Saw and an ST-CS250 Cutting Station to the club, and provided for us to determine our own way to decide how to give it away. The Contest Board will determine whether to hold a raffle, or a contest of some sort, in order to give away this great prize.
To see the X-Band Saw and the Cutting Station, you can click here, and look up the two different tools.
Huge thanks go out to Stout Tools for their support of ERCU, and to Jeff Campbell who has been on point for contact with Stout Tools. There's little doubt this will be a popular item to be awarded to one lucky winner!
This Sunday April 6 is the final pre-season meeting of the year, being held as usual at the Red Dot lunchroom at noon. This will be a good time to have your boat inspected before the start of the season (in Centralia on Saturday, April 12!) We can also review any questions on rules, and get some more hands-on work with the computer.
Just a reminder that there are still several boats that we need bios for. If yours is one of them, please click here for a boat bio form, complete the form and send it back. We'll even go find the photos for you that go with your bio. There's minimal work for you to do. The goal here is to collect and post as many as we possibly can for the "Boats" pages on our website. Once we receive that form, it'll be a quick turnaround to get your boat bio posted. Thanks! Send questions or completed bios to the webmaster.
I'm pleased to announce that group of members has stepped up to sponsor the gazebo at the third Lake Tye race in Monroe. For personal reasons, the group wishes to remain anonymous, but is made up of active ERCU owner/drivers wanting to help the club.
So, now all three races at the Lake Tye site will have the gazebo available, with it's shelter and electricity.
Hats off to everyone who made this possible!
Golden Thunder Racing Team is sponsoring the gazebo for the first race at Lake Tye, the Silver Cup, which will be hosted and CD'd by Monte Steere on April 19.
On June 21, Bob VandenAkker is sponsor of the gazebo for the second Lake Tye race, the Sahara Cup, hosted and CD'd by he and Mike Gossler.
On September 6, Ron Daum brings the Seafair Trophy race to Lake Tye with the anonymous gazebo sponsors.
Kirk Pagel
Golden Thunder Race Team
WEBMASTER'S NOTE: Thanks to everyone who sponsored the gazebo for all three races. We most certainly appreciate everything they do for the club!
This just in from Doug Brow, who did a little spring testing of his own on Sunday, March 30 in the Beautiful San Juan Islands:
"I just thought I'd drop a line to let you know that Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, calm day in the San Juan Islands, and was just an absolute perfect day for testing 1/10 scale hydroplanes. Because of that, I charged up all of my batteries and tested both the 1966 Miss Budweiser and the 1978 Squire Shop at three different locations around the island, and I must say both boats ran really well (FAST) with no problems.
"The main reason for going out was to test, but I also admit I was trying out different locations that could be possible race sites for next year, and I now have a couple of places in mind that will make a nice race location.
"I'm sorry to say it, but I'm glad I didn't make the long drive down to spring training day yesterday, but by the looks of the pictures on the website, it wasn't a very pleasant day weather-wise.
"Best regards. I'll see you all at the first race!"
Doug Brow
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A couple of hearty Campbells run the Outrigger during a snow flurry at Cherokee Bay. It was just one instance of crazy spring weather during ERCU's 2008 Spring Training. |
ERCU's 2008 Spring Training was a lot of fun,and a success for those in attendance, despite the bizzar Washington spring weather. The members in attendance — Monte Steere, John Williams, Kirk Pagel, Ralph Jorgenson, Rick Lentz, Nelson Holmberg, Ben Keller, Jesse Shehan, Mike Gossler, Bob VandenAkker, Judy Fenton, Mike Campbell, Jeff Campbell, Mark Gran, John Burkey, Dawna Gross, Craig Mullen, Dan Gilmore, Ron Hornung, Gerry Bordon, Ryan Bradshaw, Craig Bradshaw, and Brian Gilmore — experienced great weather, snow, rain, hail and even a bit of a breeze at times.
Numerous boats, which all looked great, were tested numerous times and even Judy drove a boat (there's more to the story, so be sure to ask Judy about it). Dawna tested her new boat, the Pay 'n Pak Lil' Buzzard, too.
New boats including VandenAkker's Miss Lapeer, Gossler's Miss U.S. 5, Jeff Campbell's 1969 Pride of Pay 'n Pak, and Mike Campbell's Tahoe Miss, all got in numerous laps. Even the Gilmore's new Thriftway Too, not quite finished, was seen on site.
See photos of the event by clicking here.
OK, it's a bonus post for today, but it's most certainly appropriate for the first day of the Sweet 16, this photo comes from Brian Gilmore, who hopes ALL Washingtonians can agree on the message in the photo, at least for today. GO COUGS! Beat UNC in the Sweet 16! (Photo by Brian Gilmore, former WSU linebacker).
It has been suggested, by the way, that more signs like this one in the world could help bring peace to the Middle East, a stable U.S. economy, rising valuation of the U.S. Dollar, elimination of air pollution and human rights strife in China, and positive political relations between the U.S. and Nicaragua and North Korea.
Several times this winter, KNDU's HydroInsider (Tri-Cities) has recognized Kirk Pagel's solid work with the Big Boat News in our newsletter, but this month ERCU and Kirk got really good placement. Just a couple of days ago, Kirk's latest Big Boat News was included on HydroInsider as the Top Story. As of this morning, the story is still there, but now resides under the "Top Headlines."
ERCU: The Newsletter, and the ERCU website, also got high praise from the good folks at HydroInsider, including a recommendation: "it might be worth bookmarking on your web browser and checking in from time to time."
Thanks to Paul Dughi at KNDU for the kind recognition and regular readership of our website and our newsletter. If you haven't been following the big boats on KNDU's HydroInsider.com, we're confident in saying that when you do, you'll find it to be the most comprehensive, and most-frequently updated big boat website on the net. It is highly recommended.
Some cool news just in, shared by Ron Daum:
"The full size 1955 GALE V is well underway. The sides and bottom are being installed and the sponsons will be next. The transport trailer is done. I have sent new pics to the Thriftway website but they aren't posted as yet. I hope to display the boat at the Detroit Gold Cup in July." While the new pictures aren't quite yet posted on the Miss Thriftway website, there is a lot of information and several other photos on the site.
Bill Black
Joplin Missouri
If you’re ready for the long wet & cold winter to be over, so we can all go out and race model boats, then the ERCU Spring Training Fun Run is for you. As we’ve done in years past, the last weekend of March will have an event set up that simulates a race, but provides the opportunity to do a little practice, get your boats inspected, and more. Spring Training is scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at Cherokee Bay Community Club in Maple Valley. Set up begins at 9 a.m. – please feel free to come early to help with setup – and the event will run through the day, as long as anyone wants to play. And here’s what you can expect:
- The driver’s stand will be set up;
- A full course will be set up, using the club’s buoys;
- The public address system will be set up; and
- The club’s computer will be set up to practice entering race results and scoring.
There’s even a possibility that a period of the day will be blocked out for some practice heats that will provide for an opportunity to practice officiating, recognizing hazardous situations on the course, and the like. While there is electricity available at Cherokee Bay Community Club, generators should be brought to the event, just in case there’s a limited availability of plug-ins. ERCU Contest Board members will be administering driving tests for new rookies, and the club’s scale inspector and technical inspectors will be conducting annual inspections that are required for participation. It’s a great opportunity to shake out all of the bugs in your racing program before the season begins. Not to mention satisfying your need for speed.
Just a reminder that technical inspector Mike Campbell and scale inspector Bob VandenAkker will be in attendance at the ERCU Spring Training day coming up on Saturday, March 29. This would be a perfect opportunity to bring your boats for the inspections that are required before the start of each ERCU season. The more boats that are inspected before the season starts, means fewer will need to be inspected during the testing time at the season's first races. If you can't make it to the Spring Training day, you'll have another opportunity to have your boat inspected before the season starts at the April Member Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, April 6 at the Red Dot headquarters in Kent.
The March newsletter is posted here. You can also find it in the Archived ERCU Newsletters section.
A photo sharing opportunity from 2007 modern class Rookie of the Year Brian Gilmore. "The boat dad is with is the Hurricane IV that we were helping Roger Newton sand down at the Hydro Museum, funny looking but cool old boat, should be pretty cool when done. The other photos ought to send Team Husky into a tailspin."
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Mark Gran says "it’s not much to look at yet," but sent pictures of his Breathless II, which is just about ready. Fact is, the Breathless is looking great. Take a particular look at his driver. Wow! Primer is done and the boat is ready for paint. Mark was hoping to test on March 22-23, and then get the boat out to the paint shop. Here are the pictures.
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The 2008 ERCU Schedule is getting closer to being finalized, rather than tentative, as Race Coordinator Mike Gossler continues his hard work on making sure race arrangements are confirmed with not only each volunteer Contest Director, but also with each community and race site that we'll be running in this year.
A change to the tentative schedule has recently been announced, as well, with the Maple Valley Days/President's Cup presented by Williams Racing Team being pushed back a week to June 14-15 in order to best match up with the Maple Valley Days celebration.
The schedule, as it stands today, is updated on the club's website and you can see it here, or by clicking on the Schedule link to the left.
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| The Gazebo at Lake Tye, which looks like a great spot to hang out during the races. It will be sponsored by Golden Thunder Racing Team at the Silver Cup. (photo by Kirk Pagel) | Lake Tye, looking to the North-Northwest. (photo by Kirk Pagel) |
Seeing that it's been three years since ERCU raced at Lake Tye in Monroe, Golden Thunder Racing Team owner Kirk Pagel paid a visit to the site and provides this update.
Getting to the site is an easy 20 minute drive from I-405 at the Woodinville interchange with eastbound SR-522. Directions to the site can be found on the race site pages on the ERCU schedule page.
There is ample parking and rest facilities near the park's gazebo. The lake sits unprotected from the prevailing N-NW winds, but has a large, flat beach for the drivers stand and pop-up tents. There is a large play area for kids near the Gazebo.
The Gazebo, which will be sponsored by Golden Thunder Racing Team for the April 19 Silver Cup, includes a barbeque pit and at least one big picnic table, and most importantly, has six duplex ground 110 outlets with weather-proof caps. With 12 cords, the club can cut down or eliminate the need for on-site generators.
This is a great site, and I encourage the club and/or other members to consider sponsorship of the Gazebo ($50 per event) for other ERCU events.
— Kirk Pagel, Golden Thunder Racing Team
This news about the "new" U-50 just in, from our own intrepid reporter, Kirk Pagel, who covers the big boat connection . . . who got the information from ERCU's Go Fast Turn Left insider Patrick Gleason.
"The boat is fresh out of the paint shop and is going back together nicely. Plans are for the hull to run at Tri-Cities and Seattle this year. As you can see, the team expects the paint job to be real “crowd pleaser.” Its number designation is U-50. Announcements on the driver and the sponsors will be made soon."
As a reminder, Lakeridge Paving Owner Greg O'Farrell purchased "Lucky" from Fred Leland during the offseason in order to create a two-boat team. It's the webmaster's understanding that plans are for the U-48 Lakeridge Paving, the primary hull in the Go Fast Turn Left team, to run the full six-race schedule in 2008.
So here's the scoop on Sue Williams (Isaacson) and the Miss KYYX record run in 1977, courtesy of the hydroplane history website www.lesliefield.com. Thanks to those who played along.
"They call her Seattle Sue, and yesterday on Lake Washington, she became the fastest female ever to step on the throttle of an unlimited hydroplane.
"Sue Williams, a 28-year-old Boeing worker and a limited boat racer, piloted the U-96 KYYX unlimited to a measured mile clocking of 163.043 miles per hour. Williams, who competes against her husband, Gary, in the 225 cubic inch limited hydro ranks, set the record on her second try early yesterday afternoon.
"The mile course went from south to north, starting not far from Seward Park and finishing near the Stan Sayres, pit area unlimited layout’s start-finish line. On her first attempt, Williams was timed at a speed of 130 mph plus — far slower than the 175 m.p.h. time she had hoped to attain. 'This thing doesn’t smooth out until it hits 150,' husband Gary chided, urging Sue to put her foot into it.
"She did just that and came in with the record. The previous measured mile record for a woman was 138 m.p.h., set at Lake Havasu, Ariz., in a tunnelboat.
"The U-96 will depart today for Tri-Cities and the Gold Cup race on Sunday. But Seattle Sue won’t be in the cockpit. Owner-driver Peter LaRock will be at the helm."
(Reprinted from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 27, 1977)
Mike Gossler's new company, PGI Models, Inc., has recently launched a really sharp looking website to provide the RC hobbyist with quality products from graphics and model kits to motors, speed controls and batteries. "Goss" says the offerings continue to grow, so to keep an eye on the website.
The site has a shopping cart for easy online ordering, and easy payment methods including PayPal, Visa or MasterCard.
You can find the new site at: pgimodels.com. The webmaster is about to place an order himself!
As the first race of the season draws nearer, the last race in May is starting to heat up. The Hometown Hobbies Rose Festival RC Regatta now has a pair of presenting sponsors as well, and special thanks go out to the Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau (Jeff Milkes and Kevin Stoecker) and TechJet Imaging (Jason Beatty) of Vancouver. The two of them are the race's presenting sponsors. Thanks again to these great sponsors. More information will be available about both of them, and the race, in future website updates.
Does anyone know the story behind this video, posted on YouTube and pointed out by our hydro friends at KNDU HydroInsider? If anyone knows the true story behind Sue Williams' (Isaacson) world record run (163 mph), in the Miss KYYX unlimited hydroplane (U-96.5), please let the webmaster know. Was it a publicity stunt? Was it a real record that never was formalized? Where was it run?
Oh . . . and Rick, the hull will look familiar to you.
The batteries are here! If you ordered MaxAmps batteries in the club's group order, the batteries will be distributed at the ERCU member meeting, Sunday, March 9 beginning at 11 a.m., at the Red Dot Headquarters in Kent. You can customize directions to Red Dot from your own starting point by clicking here. Rick Lentz will be distributing the batteries. Thanks Rick!
3/7/08
Your loyal webmaster will be on vacation today through March 15, returning home on March 16. However, thanks to the modern technology of wireless internet and laptop computers, the site will still be updated occasionally during vacation. It may not be updated as frequently as normal, but if you have content to contribute, please continue to email it to Nelson, and we'll post it as quickly as we can.
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| Mick Shutt installing the drive line on his 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto. | Rick Lentz's 2002 Silver Dollar Casinos hull in the rough. |
Winter construction continues in many shops. Mick Shutt, for example, is working on two brand new boats for the 2008 season — the 1976 Miss Budweiser, and the 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto — has the paint done, with the exception of a little touch-up work on the Bud, and hardware has been test-fitted on the Oberto, and paint is up next on the to-do list.
At the same time, Rick Lentz is about to take delivery of his 2002 Silver Dollar Casinos hull in the rough. Rick's to-do list on the new hull includes finishing fill and sanding, paint, hardware installation and cowling and wing work.
Remember to set your clocks FORWARD Saturday night, or else plan to miss the first hour of the meeting on Sunday. Meeting time is 11 a.m., PDT not PST.
The Lake Waughop test session at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood was an unqualified success. By all appearances, the preparation and investment in all-new high-quality hardware and systems will really pay off for 2008. The boat accelerated incredibly and rode like it was on rails.
Afterwards, Roger said, "I'm giving the check back! I don't remember it ever being that fast!" The "Pink Princess" was the only electric there but all the nitro guys really took notice of how quick the Kai was, in spite of the good-natured "Hawaii Quiet" and "sounds like a hairdryer" jokes.
Several R/C clubs, classes and types of nitro-powered boats were represented, including Roger Newton's beautiful new 1/6 scale U-8 which at one point did a complete 360-degree blowover, coming back to shore under power and mostly undamaged. This was reminiscent of George Stratton and the UL Wildfire in Kelowna a few years back.
The sound of that big motor was in direct contrast to the quiet Himax in the 1/10 scale Kai. Jerry Dunlap handled the public address duties and kept everything organized. The setting was beautiful with eagles soaring overhead and pleasant early-spring weather.
— Ben Keller
Sunday, March 9 is the next meeting for the club. Of special interest this month will be discussions on rules application and driving decisions. This would also be a great time to bring your boat for 2008 inspection. The meeting will start at 11a.m., at the Red Dot headquarters, earlier than usual to allow time for thorough discussion of the driving rules.
AGENDA, March 9, 2008 ERCU Member Meeting
1. Call to order and start attendees list.
2. Reports of Officers:
2.1 Secretary: Reading and adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
2.2 Registrar/Treasurer: Report on Finances and Registration Status
2.3 Race Coordinator: Schedule Review
2.4 Statistician: Comments
2.5 Technical Inspector: Comments
2.6 Scale Inspector: Comments
3. Reports of Standing Committees: None
4. Reports of Special Committees: Rules, Progress Report
5. Old or Unfinished Business: Training
5.1 Rules “Chalk Talk”
5.2 Scoring Spreadsheet Instruction
7. Show and Tell
6. Adjournment & Boat Inspection & MaxAmps Order Distribution
Kirk Pagel reports that the Unlimited NewsJournal is holding its annual fundraising auction to "beef up" funding for the publication on Sunday, March 9, the same day as our ERCU meeting. The auction does not start until 2 p.m. It is Kirk's hope that ERCU members will come over to the auction at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum after the March Member Meeting at the Red Dot facility is completed.
2-5 p.m.
UNLIMITEDS UNANIMOUS CLUB MEETING AND AUCTION
FREE admission to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
- E.K. Muller Memorial Auction
- Unlimited Newsjournal fundraiser
- Walk-in auction items gladly accepted
- Special guest: U-13 crew chief Curt Tavenner
Just a reminder that there are still several boats that we need bios for. If yours is one of them, please click here for a boat bio form, complete the form and send it back. We'll even go find the photos for you that go with your bio. There's minimal work for you to do. The goal here is to collect and post as many as we possibly can for the "Boats" pages on our website. Once we receive that form, it'll be a quick turnaround to get your boat bio posted. Thanks! Send questions or completed bios to the webmaster.
SEATTLE — After a full Saturday's worth of work, the 1973 Red Man (U-8, vintage) of Fred Holmberg is another step closer to being ready to run in 2008. Saturday's work was highlighted by the first two coats of white paint on the decks.
The boat will be rolled Sunday for paint on its underside. Most of the hardware for the new boat has been secured and the missing pieces will be picked up soon. The boat will debut in 2008 outfitted with AstroFlight power, Graupner props, and NiMh juice as Fred gets used to driving the boat and learning the ins and outs of competition.
The Karelsen hull (#7132, originally built in 1971 as the black Hallmark Homes), was assembled in 2007 by Jeff Campbell, and was sold to Fred midway through the 2007 season and is one of the few Karelesen hulls still available for registration in ERCU. Fred chose to built this boat as the 1973 Red Man (U-8, vintage) because it is a sister ship to his son Nelson's 1973 Red Man (U-81, modern).
In real life, the two hulls raced together as a two-boat team owned by Jim McCormick through the second half of the 1973 season. The U-8 was the primary boat, which ran each of the nine races, with McCormick as its driver through Seafair. George Henley drove the U-81 for two races, though it failed to qualify in its first appearance, at the Gold Cup in Tri-Cities. Henley did manage to qualify the U-81 for the World Championships at Seattle, but failed to start a heat. Nearly a month later, at the Clearwater Cup in Toledo, Ohio, McCormick split time in the U-8 with Danny Walls, and drove all of the heats for the U-81. Walls took over the U-8 for the final race of the year, the National Champions Regatta at Detroit, but failed to earn any points. The U-81, meanwhile, with McCormick in the cockpit, had a solid day of racing with three second place finishes, which was good for third behind the Miss Budweiser and the Pay 'n Pak "Winged Wonder".
The Hawaii Kai III returns to the water this weekend (photo by Jim Clark).
LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Choral Enterprises is gearing up for its first-ever test session, set for 11 a.m., Sunday March 2 at Lake Waughop at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.
The U-8 Hawaii Kai III is returning to 1/10-scale fast electric unlimited racing. In the 2008 Red Dot ERCU Championship Series presented by Bullithead Design, the Choral Enterprises Racing Team (CERT) intends to make its presence felt, following the example, among others, of Newton Marine, Golden Thunder Racing, and the very successful Campbell Brothers.
The
"Czar", Roger Newton built the current Hawaii Kai III in 2006 from carbon fiber composite materials. He drove the boat to a third place finish at the Bill Brow Memorial in her only appearance of 2007. After suffering damage, the "Pink Princess" remained on the sidelines for the rest of the racing campaign. During the 2007-2008 off-season Newton refurbished the boat. He will drive at the launch and coach new owner Ben Keller, who plans to take a turn behind the wheel to "get his feet wet" for the first time. The new 1/6 scale nitro class unlimiteds will also be testing.
Veteran Robbie Roberts, who currently ranks 27th in the all-time career driver point standings for the vintage class, will take the wheel at the Spring Training Test Day on March 29 at Cherokee Bay.
Hawaii Kai III namesakes have been competitive in the past, finishing in seventh place in the 2005 ERCU Vintage Class standings with Roger and David Newton sharing the driving duties, and having won three races: the Stan Sayres Memorial in 2005, the Champion Spark Plug Regatta, and the Harmsworth Trophy in 2004, all with Roger Newton at the wheel. This is good enough for sixth place on the all-time victory list.
In an effort to be competitive the Kai has been outfitted with brand-new high quality equipment including a Himax HB3630-1500 WC brushless motor mated to a Castle Creations Hydra 120 Speed Control, stainless steel shaft and Newton-modified Octura x447r beryllium prop. An Octura x447r set up by Andy Brown at CMDi Racing High Performance Propellers has been ordered. Graupner K45r carbon fiber props will also be used. Power will be provided by MaxAmps 4000 and 4200 mAH capacity 4S2P LiPo batteries. Drivers will enjoy brand-new Spektrum equipment: DX3R DSM2 Radio, SR3100 receiver and Z590M High Torque metal gear servo.
For more information contact Choral Enterprises at: softtop@comcast.net
Here's the reason that the "Green Beanie" is up for sale. The Red Man racer has a new boat transport, which will help cut costs on fuel for the long trips to Seattle and back. The extra money, or at least some of it, will hopefully be used to continue supporting the racing and fun had by Nelson & Dawn while they attend ERCU races throughout the season. If anyone is interested in the details of the former boat and gear transport which is now for sale, please see the For Sale page.
The new rig is a 2008 Toyota Yaris, which, while small, has plenty of room for not only the 1978 Red Man, but also all of the gear that goes with the racing organization, and still comfortably sleeps the "Co-Owner" in the passenger seat after those early wake-up calls we make on race weekends.
Here are some events at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum (5917 S. 196th, Kent, WA), that may interest you. Save the dates. More information about the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum can be found on its website.
Sunday, March 9
2-5 p.m.
UNLIMITEDS UNANIMOUS CLUB MEETING AND AUCTION
FREE admission.
- E.K. Muller Memorial Auction
- Unlimited Newsjournal fundraiser
- Walk-in auction items gladly accepted
- Special Guest, Curt Tavenner, U-13 crew chief
Friday, March 21
7 p.m.
MADISON MOVIE REUNION
FREE for museum members. $5.00 for non-members.
- Panel Discussion of movie stunt drivers, such as David Williams, Ken Muscatel, Ike Kielgas, and others.
- A showing of "Madison" will follow.
Friday, April 18
OPEN MIC NIGHT
FREE for museum members. $5.00 for non-members.
Enjoy the musical talents of our extended museum family.
- Chip Hanauer on guitar.
- Don Mock and special guest drummer.
- Kent Strong Combo. Ken is our gift shop manager.
- The S.O.B.s from Seattle Outboards Association:
- Pat Gleason, Nate Brown and Craig Fjarlie.
- Open mic for others wishing to perform.
Hometown Hobbies and A-Main Raceway has recently joined the ERCU team as title sponsor of the Rose Festival RC Regatta in Portland this year. The store, located about 600 yards away from the Casting Pond at Westmoreland Park — site of this year's race, is mostly focused on gas cars but ownership and members are indeed interested in boats. This year's race will be known as the Hometown Hobbies Rose Festival RC Regatta. There's even a possibility that our newest race sponsor might just buy a boat and join the club in time for the Rose Festival race. Dave Reiser, one of Portland's ERCU members, races cars with his son Mario at A-Main Raceway. More to come.
Kerry Kjos reports having found another option for environmentally-safe lubricant that might just work for our boats. Having found "KEL Pure Silicone" at Parkrose Hardware, Kerry reports that it is a food-grade pure silicone lubricant. A 9 3/4 oz. spray can goes for $10.99. Labeling says KEL is for food and drug equipment.
Golden Thunder Race Team has committed to Biokleen's Soy Blends SL-100 lubricant for the 2008 ERCU season.
Team owner and manager Kirk Pagel put the water displacement type lubricant to a field test, and came up pleased with the results.
"It's all it says it is," Pagel said. "A 'green' approach to lube the moving parts on a 1/10th scale electric-powered hydroplane. It works where you normally may have used WD-40, but leaves no 'sheen' in the water and no residue on the shop rag."
The 4-ounce spray container is available at local Fred Meyer stores or direct from the manufacurer. Google: Soy Blends SL100. The price is $4.99 at most stores.
Golden Thunder Racing will use the SL-100 product at all race sites in 2008.
The February newsletter is posted here. You can also find it in the Archived ERCU Newsletters section.
Mike Gossler has announced that PGI Models/Pacific Graphics is now a Flight Power Battery Dealer. The specific battery that our club would use is the EVO30-45004S. Here is a description per Flight Power page on the battery: A premium product with increased power density for applications and pilots where only power matters. All products a whopping 30/60C. EVO 30 is designed primarily for EDF projects and .90 size 3D competition helis and f5B where flight time is less of a consideration than raw power, and reliability under extreme loads counts for everything. Fast charge rates up to 3C approved in conjunction with balancing, the FlightPower V-Balance is ideally suited.
Gossler is also a dealer for Himax Motors and we should have a new e-commerce website hopefully by end of February. The new website will be www.pgimodels.com, and the link will redirect to the website when it is complete.
Henry Marvin reports some good news! Steve Baker, vice president of Seattle Service, has confirmed his commitment for sponsorship of the Bill Brow Memorial Regatta for the third year in a row. His contributions have been responsible for making this one of ERCU's top venues and has been an excellent example of the ultimate race sponsor. We thank Steve for his continued support of ERCU and of Henry's Bill Brow Memorial Regatta at Twin Lakes Park in Marysville.
How cool is this stuff? The first official Unlimited Hydroplane League race was held on January 26, with a 17-boat field, including ERCU's own Nelson Holmberg, driving the Superior Racing Team's 2007 U-25. Unfortunately, the U-25 was involved in a head-on collision with another boat in the mill of heat 1A, and was out for the day. Anyway, Scott Pryzbylski has done a beautiful job of making an unlimited hydroplane racing video game. Video of the final heat from the January 26 race is now available for viewing. The next race is February 16.
Here is the video. the announcer might sound familiar to you.
Part 1
Part 2
The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum kicks off the 2008 Museum Lecture Series
with a panel discussion hosted by Unlimited hydroplane legends Ron Jones, Sr., Dixon
Smith and Ken Frankel. February's topic of discussion is Propellers — Past, Present and Future.
This highly technical discussion is sure to be of interest not only to our museum membership, but also to anybody currently involved with hydroplane racing.
The panel discussion is slated for Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Wash.
The lecture is free to museum members and only $5.00 for non-members. Coffee and other refreshments will be provided. Come early to reserve your front row seat.
ERCU MEETING AGENDA
February 9, 2008
Red Dot Corporation Lunch Room
1. Call to order and start attendees list.
2. Reports of Officers:
2.1 Secretary: Reading and adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
2.2 Registrar/Treasurer: Report on Finances and Registration Status
2.3 Race Coordinator: Schedule Review
2.4 Statistician: Comments
2.5 Technical Inspector: Comments
2.6 Scale Inspector: Comments
3. Reports of Standing Committees: None
4. Reports of Special Committees: Rules, Progress Report
5. Old or Unfinished Business:
5.1 Insurance for 2008: NAMBA
6. New Business:
6.1 Club battery order from MaxAmps (Rick)
6.2 Rule Change Presentation and Discussions led by the Rules Committee
7. Show and Tell
8. Adjournment & Boat Inspection
The Northwest Model Hobby Expo is scheduled for this weekend at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Showtimes for the February 9-10 show are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Almost 100 national and local vendors offer the latest in hobby products as well as some surprises for your health and well-being.
Just a reminder that the February ERCU Member meeting is Saturday, Feb. 9, beginning at noon at the Red Dot Corporation lunchroom.
John Williams has announced that he will have a limited quantity of Allison and Rolls Merlin dummy motors available for sale at the ERCU Member Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Red Dot lunchroom. If you want one of John's beautiful dummy motors, please bring cash to the meeting with you.
Whoever said Cougs and Huskies couldn't work well together was wrong. Mark Gran and Nelson Holmberg are living proof of that. On February 2, Gran brought his new Breathless II to the Cougar Racing Team West Vancouver shop for assistance in installing hardware. By the end of Mark's visit, his motor, drive line, rudder, steering system, and strut were all installed.
Just a quick reminder that if you have any boat hobby-related stuff you are trying to sell, you can post it online at our website. There's a For Sale page linked off the top of the Club Info page.
Just a reminder that there are still several boats that we need bios for. If yours is one of them, please click here for a boat bio form, complete the form and send it back. We'll even go find the photos for you that go with your bio. There's minimal work for you to do. The goal here is to collect and post as many as we possibly can for the "Boats" pages on our website. Once we receive that form, it'll be a quick turnaround to get your boat bio posted. Thanks! Send questions or completed bios to the webmaster.
Golden Thunder Racing Team owner Kirk Pagel has named another driver to his squad. At a press conference in Port Orchard, Pagel announced today that Zane Courtway will join the team, driving Golden Thunder's number two boat at the Bill Brow Memorial in Marysville, and at the ERCU Gold Cup in Maple Valley.
"Jerry called me the other night & confirmed that Zane will drive with us in Marysville and at Lake Wilderness," Pagel said. "It's just two races, but it's a great way to lure him back into the fold."
Zane had his first taste of 1/10-scale racing in the 2007 Apple Cup exhibition at Chelan, driving Rick Lentz's 1958 Miss Bardahl to a third-place finish in the final. He also was third in one of the earlier preliminaries.
"I was really impressed with the way Zane handled Rick's boat in Chelan, not to mention Ron Hartley's $ Bill while practicing, in his first time running a 1/10-scale hull," Pagel said. "That made me want Zane on my team. Nellie does a good job for us, but he's rolled the boat over a few times in critical situations. Maybe Zane will keep a boat shiny-side up."
Golden Thunder Racing Team, founded in 2007 by Pagel with the brand new 1957 Shanty I. The team expanded later in the season when Pagel acquired the 1957 Maverick from Roger and David Newton.
Quick Quiz. Any guesses whose boat shop this is? Send your guess to the webmaster. Bonus points if you can identify the boat under construction on the bench.
This year's ERCU group battery order has been closed. We totalled 53 packs this year, so thanks to everyone who participated in the order! Next step is to get a total price from MaxAmps, which includes shipping & handling. We expect to have orders to deliver at the March ERCU Member Meeting.
The February ERCU Member Meeting has again been moved — this time to SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, beginning at noon at the Red Dot lunchroom. This move is made to accomodate members who would like to attend the Northwest Model Expo at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, and the NAMBA District 8 meeting, which begins at noon on Sunday during the show. Scale clubs — both electric and nitro — have become the majority in the district, so our voices are welcome at these District 8 meetings. If you have questions about the ERCU Member Meeting move, or the NAMBA District 8 meeting, contact Ron Daum.
All previously registered boats from 2007 have until January 31 to re-register. All of those boats which have not re-registered will be placed on the "Up for Grabs" list. This list will be posted in early February and will contain the names of newly-available hulls. If you have any questions concerning this or any of the registration rules please email me your questions and phone number. I will be happy to answer your questions.
— Henry Marvin, ERCU Registrar/Treasurer
Just a reminder that today is the deadline for your orders if you want to participate in the club's battery buy from MaxAmps. We're up to 43 packs on the order, and there's special pricing for us only for the 4,000 mAh packs. For more information, or to order, contact Nelson Holmberg.
The Contest Board today announced that Jeff Campbell has been appointed to fill its open position. Jeff Campbell has been appointed to replace Nelson Holmberg, who resigned from his position of Statistician earlier in the week. Campbell will start his board duties immediately, and will fill out the remainder of Nelson's term, which expires at the end of the 2008 season.
It is with great regret that I must announce that our Statistician, Nelson Holmberg, has tendered his resignation from the Contest Board. As chairman I understand the reasons for his decision and it is with even greater regret that I find myself accepting his resignation.
During his short tenure on the board, Nellie brought great insight and energy to the organization. As our webmaster he put together this fantastic website which is a window into our hobby. Fortunately for us, Nellie has agreed to remain as our webmaster and newsletter editor.
This also creates a vacancy on the Contest Board which in accordance with the By Laws, the Contest Board will fill by an appointment yet to be determined.
— Ron Daum, Contest Board Chairman
BATTERY ORDER UPDATE: So far, our club battery order is looking like a success, but there's still lots of time to get your order placed. Orders are due to Nelson Holmberg by January 25, so we can alert MaxAmps on how many we'll need. Nelson will collect money from members at the ERCU member meeting on Sunday, Feb. 10.
So far, nine different club members have accounted for an order of 36 LiPo packs from MaxAmps. If you're still thinking of ordering new LiPos for the 2008 season, and want them from MaxAmps, please be sure to submit your order by Friday, Jan. 25.
For more information about the batteries available from MaxAmps, click here.
In deference to those who would like to partake in the Super Bowl mystique this year, the February meeting for ERCU has been rescheduled to noon on Sunday, Feb. 10 [one week later]. Then, to keep dates as evenly spaced as possible, the March meeting will be moved to noon on Sunday, March 9. The final winter meeting will retain the April 6 date.
Do put on your schedules ERCU Spring Training on Saturday, Match 29 at Cherokee Bay, arranged by Dan Gilmore. This will be a great day for having your boat inspected before the season, test out the new running gear, and generally enjoy a day with your boating friends. Sunshine has been ordered.
In order to keep the Rose Festival RC Regatta as an official part of the Portland Rose Festival, we've had to swap dates for the Rose Festival RC Regatta and the Oregon Emerald Cup. Details are on the Schedule page.
After reviewing the options, the ERCU Contest Board has decided that insuring with NAMBA (North American Model Boat Association) for 2008 is to the overall benefit of the club, which means we will no longer be affiliated with APBA, effective immediately. The cost to the membership will be determined, and members will be so notified. If you have any questions please direct them to any board member.
To apply for membership in NAMBA, please fill out the application found here. You can mail it in with a check for your $45 membership fee. You can also fax the application in with your credit card information for payment. While filling out your application, the Club Affiliation is ERCU and the Area of Interest interest is 1/10 Scale Electric Unlimited. you should send their applications in with their checks to the address given on the form.
The January newsletter is posted here. You can also find it in the Archived ERCU Newsletters section.
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The Formula Boats display hydro was seen today at the Portland Boat Show. It's not every year that you see a real hydro in Portland, so this was kind of fun. My apologies for the quality of the photos not being up to par. I took them with my phone camera. If I had expected to see a hydro at the boat show, I'd have taken my good camera. By the way, Dawn and I did NOT buy a boat today. But we were tempted by a couple.
— Nelson Holmberg
It was announced yesterday at the ERCU Member Meeting that a club battery order is being put together from MaxAmps — which is a Washington company, based in Nine Mile Falls (near Spokane). We'll be getting a 20 percent discount on this year's order, so if you're interested in buying, please contact Nelson Holmberg as soon as possible to place your order. Money will be collected from those who participate in the buy at the February 3 club meeting.
Deadline to place your battery order is JANUARY 25, 2008. After that deadline, Nelson will request a specific cost for the shipping and handling in order to know exactly what each of us will owe for our batteries. He will also ask whether direct shipping is available to each member who orders, or whether it'd be more cost-efficient to ship the whole order directly to Nelson, then distribution completed at the March ERCU Member Meeting.
Here are the details of the available batteries (within the club's battery regulations) from MaxAmps.com.
- • 4,000 mAh (20C Constant)
- • 4,200 mAh (20C Constant)
- • Balancing taps of your choice can be added, if you choose, before delivery (Hyperion taps are standard, no charge. Others available, and installed for $2.99 extra per pack, are ThunderPower, AstroFlight Blinky, Align/Equinox, or FMA Cell Pro Taps).
- • Deans plugs can be added, if you choose, before delivery ($2.50 extra per pack).
• With the 20 percent discount, pricing looks like this (with balancing taps and Dean's plugs added):
• 4,000 mAh — $128.38 per pack, plus approximately $9 for shipping and handling*.
• 4,200 mAh — $154.78 per pack, plus approximately $9 for shipping and handling*.
* — Shipping and handling charges could change as a result of this club order. Exact cost for shipping & handling will be shared with the club before money is collected.
Shameless plug: Nelson used these batteries throughout the 2007 season, and was very pleased with their performance and durability, not to mention the customer service from MaxAmps.
Drivers who also used MaxAmps batteries at some point during the 2007 season include: Mick Shutt, Doug Brow, Rick Lentz and Kerry Kjos. If you've got any questions about their batteries, please feel free to check with any of these drivers.
At today's ERCU Member Meeting, we had a good discussion about doing what we can to avoid the oil sheens that sometimes come off our boats when we can. The question was asked if there were any good options that didn't leave a sheen, and the all-natural option of Biokleen's Soy Lube SL-100 was mentioned. All reviews are that SL-100 is the natural equivalent of WD-40. Here's a little more information about Soy Lube, direct from the Biokleen website.
BIOKLEEN'S SOY LUBE SL-100: Non-Toxic & Ozone Safe:
Finally…An effective non-aerosol lubricant that’s safe for you and the earth. Most petroleum-based lubricants are harmful or fatal if swallowed. Soy Lube SL-100’s biobased formula is made entirely from renewable resources for an effective lubricant that lasts longer and is less hazardous than mainstream alternatives.
• PENETRATES stuck/slow moving parts
• CLEANS with dissolving action
• PROTECTS against corrosion and rust
• SEALS and dries out moisture
This product is available at Fred Meyer stores, natural grocery stores like Whole Foods, and many other locations, both in the Puget Sound and Portland areas. More information about Biokleen and all of its products, including a store locator, is available at their website, www.biokleenhome.com.
The first of the month is here again (already!) and it’s time for the next members meeting — Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Red Dot Corporation in Tukwila. The meeting will commence at noon, with the board meeting at 11 a.m. The Rules Committee will also be meeting at 11 a.m. Hope to see you all there! Red Dot's headquarters are located at: 495 Andover Park East in Kent. You can customize directions from your own starting point by clicking here.
The agenda for the member meeting is as follows:
1. Call to order and start attendees list.
2. Reports of Officers:
2.1 Secretary: Reading and adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
2.2 Registrar/Treasurer: Report
2.3 Race Coordinator: Draft schedule
2.4 Statistician: Heat finish efficiency report; Columbia River Division update
2.5 Technical Inspector: Report on K-45 prop and 3S battery test
2.6 Scale Inspector: Comments
2.7 Webmaster: Boat bios, other updates
3. Reports of Standing Committees: None
4. Reports of Special Committees: Rules, progress report
5. Old or Unfinished Business:
5.1 Insurance for 2008
6. New Business:
6.1 Environmental issues for 2008
6.2 Club battery order from MaxAmps (Nelson & Rick)
7. Show and Tell
8. Adjournment & Registration
True to ERCU tradition, the Shady Lake New Year's Fun Run was run on New Year's Day. A new Fun Run — for the Columbia River Division — also started on January 1, at Westmoreland Park in Portland. For more information, and photos, from both Fun Runs, click here.
The boats available for registration as of January 1, 2008 are as follows:
1957 Thriftway Too U-62
1966 Miss Bardahl U-40
1974 Red Man U-81
1982 Atlas Van Lines U-00
— Henry Marvin, ERCU Registrar
Happy New Year!
We're starting a new news page for the new year. You can still find all of the past years' news in our archives, however. There are links below to all of the ERCU news from over the years.
All Content Copyright ERCU 2008 Unless Otherwise Noted