Troy McIntire

R/C Unlimiteds Registrar

2718 West Imnaha

Kennewick, WA. 99336

(509) 783-8452

Use the following Boat Registration form to register an available boat and send it to our Registrar.

All new Draws are $10 per entry and new boat registrations from the currently available boats are also $10. Thank You, The R/C Unlimiteds Contest Board

12/14/2005 - Master Hull Roster Update
The Master Hull Roster on the Information page has been updated. If for some reason your registration information is incorrect, please contact our current Registrar, Troy McIntire roostertail10@aol.com

12/13/2005 - Ed Cooper, Sr., Remembered
By Fred Farley - ABRA Unlimited Historian
Ed Cooper, Sr., who co-owned the U-3 Racing Team with his son, Ed Cooper, Jr., passed away on December 13, 2005, at King's Daughters' Hospital in Madison, Indiana. He was 86.

In a category dominated by Lycoming turbine engines, the father-and-son team was unique. They used the time-honored Allison V-12 piston power plant, originally intended for use in World War II fighter planes.

The Coopers started their racing careers in the 1960s as crew members for the community-owned MISS MADISON. In 2002, the U-3 team became the first to turn a lap at over 160 miles per hour with an internal combustion engine.

U-3 Team victories include:
(1) 1989 - Tri-Cities, WA (Columbia Cup); driver-Mitch Evans
(2) 2003 - Evansville, IN (Thunder On The Ohio); driver-Mitch Evans
(3) 2003 - Detroit, MI (APBA Gold Cup); driver-Mitch Evans
(4) 2003 - San Diego, CA (Bill Muncey Cup); driver-Mitch Evans

The elder Mr. Cooper served on the board of directors of Madison Regatta, Inc., in the 1970s. In the early 1980s, he and Ed, Jr., helped on the crew of MISS KENTUCKIANA PAVING, owned by Graham Heath and Bill Cantrell of Madison.

In 1985, the father and son pooled their resources and started their own team. They purchased Chuck Hickling's former TEMPUS, which they debuted in 1986. They built new boats in 1988, 1997, and 2002.

The Cooper team's supreme achievement has to be the 2003 Gold Cup at Detroit. They were the first piston-powered winners in twenty years of APBA racing's Crown Jewel.

Running under the sponsorship of FOX HILLS CHRYSLER-JEEP/SUN COATINGS, the U-3 and driver Mitch Evans defeated the defending Gold Cup champions Dave Villwock and MISS BUDWEISER in the Final Heat, 144.152 miles per hour to 141.488.

Ed Cooper, Sr., was a great friend and admirer of the late Bill "Pappy" Cantrell who, together with Graham Heath, taught the Coopers everything they knew about the Allison engine.

In an interview with this writer, Ed, Sr., revealed his greatest thrill in racing. That was the time when he tested the former TEMPUS hull on the Ohio River: "I always admired 'Pappy' Cantrell and wanted to be like him. That time when I drove the boat, I felt like I really was 'Pappy' Cantrell."

12/9/2005 - 2006 Annual Registration fees
See the members section for the 2006 annual registration fees, plus fee for not making your starts in the year 2005, as well as the Tri-annual fees for boats in Develemont.

The Annual fees plus the no starts and the first Tri-Annuals have to be paid by February 1, 2006. If the Treasurer does not have them by then there will be a $5.00 late fee for each boat not paid by then. These checks should be sent to Chester Lepinski our current Treasurer made payable to R/CU.

R/CU
c/o Chet Lepinski
172 Tamarisk Lane
Richland, WA. 99352

12/8/2005 - R/CU Contest Board Meeting Reminder
Your Contest Board has its regularly scheduled December meeting this Sunday, at the Palace Restaurant, on Main Street, in Ellensburg, at 10:30 AM. While Board members have to be there or face horrendous consequences, non-Board members are always welcomed also. (Non Board members have to ask for speaking time, that's all.) If you are feeliing like lending your opinions, support, or just want to share a little community with your fellow R/CU racers, come one, and come all! The meeting agenda will be posted in the members section of the R/CU website.
Best regards,
Marc Connelly
2006 R/CU Chairman

12/7/2005 - Registration Draw
The following boats are now up for draw:

Troy McIntire

R/C Unlimiteds Registrar

2718 West Imnaha

Kennewick, WA. 99336

(509) 783-8452

or email:
roostertail10@aol.com

12/7/2005 - Phone list update
The phone list has been updated. If you need to correct an address, phone number, or email please let Troy know roostertail10@aol.com

12/7/2005 - Master Hull Roster Update
The Master Hull Roster on the Information page has been updated. If for some reason your registration information is incorrect, please contact our current Registrar, Troy McIntire roostertail10@aol.com

12/7/2005 - Movie Night at the Museum
Roger Newton will be hosting "Movie Night" this Friday, Dec 9th, 6:00 P.M. at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. The feature presentation will be the 1957 Gold Cup.
For directions see: www.thunderboats.org

11/28/2005 - Stats Update
The 'stats' have been updated on the Statistics page with all of the 2005 data.

11/27/2005 - Phone list update
The phone list has been updated. If you need to correct an address, phone number, or email please let Troy know roostertail10@aol.com

11/14/2005 - Hull registration and phone list
If I didn't get you paperwork for a recently registered hull and you want it let me know by email roostertail10@aol.com and I will get it to you. Also if you need to correct an address, phone number, or email please let me know. Thanks Troy

11/14/2005 - A Brief Message From Your Incoming R/CU Chairman
I want to thank everyone on the R/CU Contest Board for electing me as your Chairman for next year. I look forward to working with all of our membership to put on a fun and fair 2006 season.

Before I dive into the agenda for our important December Board meeting, I want to pause to reflect upon the 2005 season for just a moment. It was a good year, full of very tough competition on the race course and punctuated by a few interesting and intense discussions about rules, policies, responsibilities, and race formats. Throughout this past year, I felt privileged to be a firm supporter and confidant of Chairman emeritus, Nelson Holmberg. I truly appreciated his effort and his sense of fair play. I learned a great deal from Nelson about being a committed, good person. Nelson is one of the good guys, in my book.

His tenure as Chairman points out an important lesson that our club has yet to learn fully: Each and every one of us ought to be enticed to serve on the Board, no matter how much experience as a racer, or how much knowledge as a hydro historian we possess. It is a duty to serve, every bit as important as calling, judging, or setting up the scaffolding. Personally, I believe that everyone with a R/CU boat registration should serve on the Board at some point during their racing career. And, as members, we ought to give those who volunteer to serve the support that they need to feel good about taking on their chosen responsibilities. This club can remain great only if the involvement by each and every one of us is as important as racing itself. Willingness counts for a lot, and Nelson was one willing Chairman, just as Steve Schmitz was one willing Inspector and Jack Carson was one great and willing Race Coordinator. As I assume my responsibilities for this next year, I sincerely honor their individual efforts.

Next year is going to be really boring. That is to say, we are going to have a racing season that has very little controversy, but great racing just the same! Why? Because Bill Brandt bought the '72 Notre Dame and Steve Schmitz is commissioning a new hull from Russ Nachweigh, and Larry Oberto and his son are coming to race with us, and,, and, and... And because during the winter months the new Board is going to iron out some needed rules changes, update the rule book, address the scheduling issues early, and focus on what makes R/CU great- camaraderie and competition. I look forward to next year with great anticipation and I hope that you do as well.

The Atomic Cup just can't get here fast enough to suit me!
Marc Connelly
R/CU Chairman

11/13/2005 - Awards Banquet Success
The Awards Banquet was a tremendous success with our highest turnout ever! 84 RCU & E-RCU members were in attendance at this year's event held at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. See the results here. Also, congratulations to our newly elected Board Members!
Our Board Members for 2006 will be:
Marc Connelly - Chairman
Chet Lepinski - Treasurer
Troy McIntire - Registrar
Mick Shutt - Secretary
Don Mock - Statistician
Roger Newton - Race Coordinator
Lee Robertson - Inspector

11/10/2005 - Don't miss out!

RCU T-Shirts T-Shirt Front Click for larger images T-Shirt Back

Don't miss out on this great deal!! Get your shirts today before this deal expires! For a limited time you can get a great deal on RCU T-shirts. For a limited time you can get 3 shirts for just $25. These are being sold at cost.. You can't get a better deal. Available now in sizes M, L & XL. To order yours today, send your check for $25 (made out to RCU) plus your requested sizes to: R/CU c/o Chester Lepinski Treasurer 172 Tamarisk Lane Richland, WA 99352

11/8/2005 - Who's That RCU'er cont.
In case you haven't figured it out yet, or if you just want to confirm your suspicion, just hold your mouse over the below image to see who it is.

11/4/2005 - Who's That RCU'er
Just when you thought you were safe... then you get listed here.

Can you guess who this RCU'er is?

11/3/2005 - A BIG PAR-TAY
I just want to thank everyone who sent in their banquet reservations already. I have communicated with our caterer, given them our final reservations, and they will be feeding 84 of us at the 2005 R/CU ER/CU Awards Banquet! 84! Is that some kind of record, or what?!? Big thanks goes out to Mr. Chester Lepinski and the Czar for beating the bushes in the 11th hour. As always these two guys came crashing through for us and really got the turnout turned up.

PLEASE NOTE ONE IMPORTANT CHANGE: Forget that BYOB idea. Just erase it. It never happened. Instead, we will have beer and wine available for purchase by the glass. Just don't forget to tip the barkeep. (That's my boy!)

SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED: Now, our attention turns to silent auction donations. If you have a donation, please let Nelson know about it as soon as possible. (nelson@noslencommunication.com) Your donations will help bolster the coffers of each club, which is always helpful. We have some Chris Denton photo disks, a couple of spectacular prints, a boat cover, and even a roundnose hull, (from any Newton plan set) already in the auction lineup. This should be fun!

I look forward to seeing all of my friends and fellow competitors at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, on November 12th. Again, thanks for sending in your banquet reservations. Much appreciated! Marc Connelly

10/29/2005 - Time is running out! ...It's already the 11th Hour!
It seems like we finished the Gold Cup just a week or two ago and the Awards Banquet will be Weeks if not a Month or so away. So why worry about anything right? ...Wrong! Time seems to have passed without us knowing because we now only have... like one day... TODAY to get our reservations in to Marc, as he needs receive them by THIS TUESDAY!!! ...and you know how long it takes for things to be sent in through the mail.

Get that banquet registration form in the mail TODAY and mail to:

Marc Connelly
3146 Moore Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Your reservation must be received by THIS TUESDAY, November 1st to ensure that you have a dinner waiting for you at the banquet.

Don't miss out on the coolest hydroplane banquet ever held!

10/27/2005 - Great Deal on RCU shirts	RCU T-Shirts T-Shirt Front Click for larger images T-Shirt Back
Now! For a limited time you can get a super deal on RCU T-shirts. For a limited time you can get 3 shirts for just $25. That's a screaming deal folks and at this price they may not last long. Available now in sizes M, L & XL. To order yours today, send your check for $25 (made out to RCU) plus your requested sizes to: R/CU c/o Chester Lepinski Treasurer 172 Tamarisk Lane Richland, WA 99352

10/24/2005 - Banquet Menu Revealed After Insider Cracks. Leak investigation (and possible indictments) To Follow.
And they say the White House is under intense pressure. Huh. Well, I've got some news for those guys- I am really feeling the heat for not posting the 2005 R/CU & ER/CU Awards Banquet menu sooner. Sorry, guys (and gals). I forgot that this could be a deal breaker for spouses and girlfriends. Now I am even catching it here at home. This is starting to feel a lot like turn one, lane three, at the start of your typical second connie! So put out those torches, put down the scythes, here is your bill of fare.

Chef Carved Baron of Beef with creamy horseradish and dijon mustard
Creamy Dijon Chicken
Whipped Herb Potatoes
Old Fashioned Green Beans with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions
Garden Green Salad or Caesar Salad (choose one)
Fancy Mixed Fruit Bowl
Assortment of Cakes and Cheese Cakes
Dinner Rolls with Butter
Coffee & Punch

If this sounds good to you, well thanks. Now make that reservation, okay?
But if this seems in any way short of your expectations, well, it was all Chets idea.

Marc Connelly
Senior R/CU Banquet Lackey

10/24/2005 - Rick Lentz Named King of all Hydroplane Racing!
Throughout the entire of the world of hydroplane racing this week, one names stands out from all of the rest: Rick Lentz. We could all take a page from Ricks organizational playbook. Why? Because Rick was the first person to get his reservation check in for the 2005 R/CU & ER/CU Annual Awards Banquet. It arrived in Saturdays mail, filled out neatly, with a check covering the exact amount needed to insure his banquet reservation.

So, in honor of his prompt response, as requested over a week ago, I have taken it upon myself to name him King of The Entire Hydroplane Kingdom for this week and on, up through the banquet itself. Get used to it, guys: King Rick. For the rest of you, take heart: the position of King may be taken, but there are still a lot of Prince slots still remaining to be filled. Are you a Prince of a guy? I sure hope so. You certainly could be if you just filled out your banquet registration form, wrote that check to R/CU, and mailed it today to:

Marc Connelly
3146 Moore Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501

Your reservation must be received by November 1st to insure that you have a nice, warm dinner waiting for you at the banquet. Don't miss out on the coolest hydroplane banquet ever held- presided over by King Rick himself! Get your reservations in the mail today, you Prince you.

See you there!
Marc

10/23/2005 - Northwest Scale Hydroplane Championship Updates
I would like to thank all that made the 2005 Northwest Scale Hydroplane Championship Race a success. I believe that all that attended had a good time; we ended up having great racing after a rough start on Sunday due to those dreaded Ellensburg winds but the winds calmed down and by the time we got to the consolation and final races we had great water. Drinks and dinner in our private dining room at the Buzz Inn Steak House turned out to be a success. Al Waters liked that Chicken Fried Steak that he had for dinner last year so much that he had it twice this year (next year I think we will cut him off and make him eat something different). The swap meet/raffle drawing was a success. We had over 25 sponsors for this year's race so we ended up with a lot to give-away to the racers. Please go to race web site http://stubbersmedia.com/nwshc/ to see who won "All the Marbles" and check out the sponsor's page, they are the ones that will allow this event to keep happening...

Thanks to all those who sponsored the race with there dollars or there time. It means a lot to me and Al that so many are getting involved...

Marty Shallenberger

10/22/2005 - Mail / Phone list updates
Our Mailing/Phone list has just been updated by our Registrar. If you see any changes/updates that need to be made to our mail/phone list now or in the future, please send your requests to our current Registrar at that time, who maintains this file. Our current Registrar, Troy McIntire (Roostertail10@aol.com) is taking your changes at this time.

10/20/2005 - Make your reservations today for the 2005 R/CU & ER/CU Annual Awards Banquet
The invitations to the R/CU & ER/CU Annual Awards banquet will go out via snail mail today, and via email tonight, but you can download your copy right here, right now, at either the R/CU or ER/CU websites to get your reservation in place. Please don't procrastinate- we need to let the caterers know the meal count by November 1st. The cost is $25 per person and the event will go from 5:30 until 9pm or whenever we are all tired of rehashing the 2005 racing season.

This year, we are going to host the event at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum, which is an excellent facility for us and a natural home for any hydro fan. Dr. Ken Muscatel will be our speaker and he will be both exciting and entertaining as he presents his enthusiastic and optimistic vision for the future of the sport. As a Museum Board member, I have come to know Ken a bit over the past few years and I really appreciate his love for the sport. He will be an excellent speaker.

We have made an arrangement for overnight accommodations at the Doubletree Inn at Southcenter, which is just minutes away from the event. There will be a silent auction, so if you have any items to donate, please let me know by contacting me at: marc@in-ad.com. All donations are deeply appreciated.

To cut down on cost just a bit, we are not going to have a wet bar on site this year. Instead, if you wish, you can bring the libation or beverage of your choice and we will have plenty of room in the Museum frig as well as an ice basin for you. The dinner menu will be posted here on the website in the next day or so.

This is going to be a fun party with- I guarantee you- some real surprises. We all had a highly competitive and fun racing season and this is the night that we can all get together and bask in the glory of our races well run. I hope to see you all there!

Marc Connelly
R/CU Secretary
marc@in-ad.com
360 754-8214

10/12/2005 - Boat added to For Sale page
The 1972 Notre Dame has been added to the For Sale page.

10/10/2005 - RCU televised on The Outdoor Channel this week
The Outdoor Channel will be broadcasting RCU's Columbia Cup race this week!
Air Times (Eastern & Pacific Time)
Monday Oct. 10, 2005 5:00P.M.
Thursday Oct. 13, 2005 1:00P.M.
Saturday Oct. 15, 2005 12:00P.M.

This Week's Episode:
Columbia Cup 1/8th scale Unlimited Cup
This week on Inside RC we headed up to the Pacific Northwest to Kennewick Washington, for the Columbia Cup boat races. The focus was on the RC 1/8th scale Unlimited boats, but we had a chance to see some of the full scale ones too, since they were racing near by.

10/8/2005 - Awards Banquet
Now that the 2005 Season is over, thoughts lead to our upcoming Awards Banquet. The Awards Banquet will held November 12, 2005 at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum. click here for the flyer.

10/6/2005 - Engines added to For Sale page
A couple Picco engines have been added to the For Sale page. Now's your chance for a great deal on engines if you are just getting into the sport.

10/5/2005 - Driver Standings Update
The 2005 Season is complete and the 2005 Driver Standings have been updated with the points from all races this season.

10/5/2005 - Boat added to For Sale page
The 2004 Silver Dollar Casino presents Miss Rock has been added to the For Sale page.

10/3/2005 - Gold Cup / Norm Evans Memorial Results
The Gold Cup & Norm Evans Memorial race results are updated on the Race Schedule page. The Driver Standings will be updated once that information becomes available.

10/3/2005 - Gold Cup Winner
Congratulations to Lee Robertson for winning the 2005 Gold Cup

9/29/2005 - Statistics Update
The 'Stats' on the Statistics page has been updated with the latest info through the Spark Plug Regatta.

9/26/2005 - Points Update
Drivers Points and Boat Points have been updated with the results from the Spark Plug Regatta race.

9/26/2005 - Spark Plug Regatta
Congratulations to Dave Brandt for winning his 11th race this year. The race results are up in the Race Schedule section. Driver Standings will be updated once that information becomes available.

9/22/2005 - Updated Master Hull Roster
The corrected and updated Master Hull Roster has been added to the Information page. If there is anything that you see that needs to be corrected, please contact Troy @ roostertail10@aol.com.

9/20/2005 - Updated Master Hull Roster
Take a look at the Master Hull Roster on the Information page and Members section to confirm you registered hull status. If there is anything that you see that needs to be corrected, please contact Troy @ roostertail10@aol.com.

9/19/2005 - Tri-Annuals due
The Tri-Annuals are due at the end of the month. You can see the amount due in our members section. Please send all funds to:
RCU
c/o Chet Lepinski
172 Tamarisk Lane
Richland, WA 99352

9/18/2005 - San Diego, CA - Thunderboat Regatta
Congratulations to Dave Villwock and the U-16 Elam Plus team for winning the Thunderboat Regatta in San Diego, CA. this weekend. Also Congratulations to Steve David, driver of the U-6 Oh Boy! Oberto, for winning the 2005 National High Point Driver Championship.

9/13/2005 - Willamette Cup Points Update
The Driver and Boat points have been updated with the latest results from the Willamette Cup.

9/13/2005 - Unstoppable?
Yep, you guessed it! Dave Brandt makes it 10 wins so far this year as he collects the win for the Willamette Cup. Congratulations Dave for a race well won. Driver's Points and Boat Points will be updated once that information becomes available.

9/9/2005 - 2005 NW Scale Hydroplane Championship Race
Just a reminder... Don’t forget to make your reservations now for hotel rooms if you’re planning on attending the NW Scale Hydroplane Championship Race in Ellensburg this year. The cut-off date for rooms at the Days Inn (Swap Meet Hotel) is September 20^th. Last year it was almost imposable to get a room for that weekend as there is still a lot going on in Ellensburg that time of year. The Days Inn phone number is 509-933-1500. Please call me with any questions 425-672-1634 Marty.
NW Scale Hydroplane Championship Website

9/8/2005 - Katrina Relief
Brian Lepinski will be taking donations of can goods, clothing, blankets, and money to send to the red cross to help with the victims of Hurrican Katrina. Please help Brian fill his van to the max with donations. All donations will be made in RCU's name. Brian challenges everyone to donate at least $10.00. Please bring donations to our Woodland and Marysville races. Any donation will help. We thank you for any help you can provide.

9/6/2005 - KOLroy Question for Fred Farley
Fred Farley (ABRA Unlimited Historian) answers the following question:

QUESTION:
Fred, I have a big matted picture of the U-1300, taken from a bridge or plane. Can you give me any information on the name and history of that hull?  -  Mike Noonan

ANSWER:
That was Bob Gilliam's KOLroy, which raced in 1959 and 1960 under the sponsorship of Seattle Radio Station KOL, which had 1300 as a call number.