Hydros gather for Pateros Terry Troxel Memorial Classic

Western Division points at stake

Pateros hydro owner Dale Burnison watches as driver Fred Wright takes the vintage “Country Girl” out for an exhibition run on Lake Pateros last weekend.

Tri-Cities driver, Brandon Cushing, stands next to the Miss Pateros sponsored this year by the Pateros Chamber of Commerce. Cushing is currently the national points leader in his SE class.

A large Ness crane was kept busy much of the weekend hauling hydros out of the water and lowering others in as each heat took its turn.

The APBA official boat displayed the colors along Memorial Park in accompaniment of the national anthem prior to the start of Sunday’s competition

Posted Wednesday, August 16, 2017 1:13 pm

Mike Maltais

PATEROS – Despite a strong competing venue – the Omak Stampede – 30 miles to the north last weekend, the Pateros Terry Troxel Memorial Hydro Classic, featuring the American Power Boat Association’s Western Divisional Championships, drew a strong crowd of both drivers and spectators at Lake Pateros, Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13.
Nearly 50 boats, including the Pateros Chamber of Commerce-sponsored, Miss Pateros and local builder Dale Burnison’s vintage H-101 Country Girl, ran on both days. Brisk wind and choppy surface conditions had to settle down Sunday morning before
“The Western Divisional Championships are huge,” said race spokesperson Julie Porter of the competition’s importance to drivers. “If you want to go on to become one of the elite racers, you have to win a divisional race.”
Former driver and local hydro owner, Dale Burnison of Pateros put his 7-liter vintage racer, “Country Girl” into the water both days. Veteran driver, Fred Wright from Kent was behind the wheel of the all-pink H-101 powered by a 368-cubic-inch Chev engine that develops between 700 and 800 horsepower, Burnison said.
Burnison, who played a key role in bring hydro races to Pateros, started his racing career as a youngster driving drag boats on Lake Washington. Among other achievements, Burnison was the two-time 7-liter high point champion in 1974 and again in 1978.
Brandon Cushing of the Tri-Cities was back on the circuit following a serious crash in the Pateros Classic two years ago. Cushing is the current SE Class national points leader and brought the chamber-sponsored Miss Pateros to last weekend’s competition.

Hydro Classic Results (unofficial)
SE
1. Last Dance – Roger Denny, Grapevine, Wash.
2. Shotgun - Kip Brown, Black Diamond, Wash.
3. Shuur Thing – Keith Nelson, Tacoma, Wash.
Sport C
1. Russel Mead, Warrenton, Oregon
2. Mike White, Sedro Woolley, Wash.
3. Steve Walde, Discovery Bay, Calif
1 Liter
1. Culver Racing – John Culver, Kennewick, Wash.
2. Bill Valence (owner), Kirkland, Wash., Shane Baker (driver), Enumclaw, Wash.
3. Bill Valance (owner), Kirkland, Wash., Aaron Salmon (driver), Shoreline, Wash.

2.5 Stock
1. Fury – Jason Aslakson
2. Subvert Racing – Austin Eacret
3. Windjammer – Chris Fanaris

5 Liter
1. Maulden Well Service – Jim Maulden
2. Flight Time – Kurt Meyers
3. Indian Peaks Marina - Jeff Bernard

APBA School Boat drivers
Allen Brady
Beau Burig
Lisa Engle
Scott Engle
Western Divisional winners

SE
1. Last Dance – Roger Denny, Grapevine, Wash.
2. Shotgun - Kip Brown, Black Diamond, Wash.
3. Shuur Thing – Keith Nelson, Tacoma, Wash.

1 Liter
1. Culver Racing - John Culver (owner), Josh Culver (driver), Kennewick, Wash.
2.5 Stock
1. Windjammer - Chris Fanaris (owner), Seattle, Jeff Bernard (driver), Kent.
2. Fury – Jason Aslakson, Tumwater, Wash.
3. Mega Bucks – Dutch Squire, Lakewood, Colo.

5 Liter
1. Mauldin Well Service - Jim Mauldin, Friday Harbor, Wash.
2. Indian Peaks Marina - Jeff Bernard, Kent, Wash.
3. Flight Time - Kurt Meyers, Stratford, Wash.
This year’s winner of the Terry Troxel Memorial Trophy was Jason Aslakson and Fury of Tumwater.