Pateros hosts smoke and thunder at annual hydro classic

PATEROS – A heavy layer of smoke from Canadian wildfires could neither smother the fun nor dampen the thunder of the hydroplanes that descended on Lake Pateros for the annual Pateros Hydro Classic/Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta last Saturday and Sunday, August 19-20.

Brandon Cushing , owner of the Miss Pateros, sponsored by the Pateros Chamber of Commerce and Thomason Law and Justice said he is standing in third or fourth place at this point in the circuit.

“We’re not doing the best in points but we’re having a lot more fun than last year,” Cushing said.
While there are three more races in Washington culminating at Manson on Sept. 29-30, Cushing’s next stop is a big race in San Diego on Sept. 15-16.

“We have 10 boats competing in our class this season and all of them should be there,” Cushing said.

The Miss Pateros competed in a seven-boat field in last weekend’s classic.

Tim Hamilton, Race chair of the Tacoma Inboard Racing Association supervised the 40-plus field of hydros that competed for points in six classes.

Tiffany Troxell Brown, daughter of the late Terry Troxell for whom the Memorial Regatta is named, piloted the vintage hydro Calypso during Saturday’s race card.

Pateros Hydro Classic results
2.5 Liter Stock
1. Windjammer – Owner: Chris Fanaris. Driver: Jeff Bernard
2. Subvert Racing – Owner/Driver: Austin Eacrets
3. Bartell Family Racing – Owner: Bartell Family. Driver: Marissa Bartell

2.5 Modified
1. Cheetah – Owner/Driver: Rick Christensen
2. Bartell Family Racing – Owner: Bartell Family. Driver: Marissa Bartell
3. Cobra Racing – Owner/Driver: Dan Surfas

Sport C
1. Russell Mead
2. Mike White
3. Wes Fridell

Sport A
1. Strike Force – Owner: Nate Brown. Driver: Kip Brown
2. Shotgun – Owner: Kip Brown. Driver: Skip Brown
3. Aquaholic – Owner/Driver: Lenny Baker

Sport E
1. Shotgun – Owner: Kip Brown. Driver: Skip Brown
2. Miss Pateros – Owner: Brandon Cushing. Driver: Dale Baker
3. Strike Force – Owner/Driver: Nate Brown

5 Liter
1. Flight Time – Owner/Driver: Kurt Meyers
2. Indian Peaks Marina – Owner: Klack Motor Sports. Driver: Dale Baker
3. Cheetah – Owner: Pat Bertram. Driver: Rick Christensen