Watch scale hydroplane models race in the second annual ERCU Diamond Cup & Bill Brow Memorial, Saturday at 11 a.m. at Sundstrom’s Pond, 1578 Roche Harbor Road. The official, sanctioned race is free and open to the public. - Courtesy Ron Hornung
Courtesy Ron Hornung
Watch scale hydroplane models race in the second annual ERCU Diamond Cup & Bill Brow Memorial, Saturday at 11 a.m. at Sundstrom’s Pond, 1578 Roche Harbor Road. The official, sanctioned race is free and open to the public.

Model hydroplanes to race at Sundstrom's Pond Saturday in ERCU Diamond Cup


May 19, 2010 · Updated 10:51 AM 

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Watch Miss Budweiser and Miss Exide, as well as other noted hydroplanes, race Saturday on San Juan Island.

Well, not the actual boats, but 7th- and 10th-scale models of the famous racers. The second annual ERCU Diamond Cup & Bill Brow Memorial begins at 11 a.m. at Sundstrom’s Pond, 1578 Roche Harbor Road.

The race is an official, sanctioned event of the ERCU, or Electric Radio Controlled Unlimiteds. It is open to the public. The event is sponsored by Haley’s, Herb’s Tavern, Northwest Auto Supply/Carquest, Petro San Juan, Discovery Inn and San Juan Trophy.

The race is organized by former hydroplane racer Doug Brow, whose father, the late Bill Brow, is a legend in hydroplane racing.

The older Brow, known as the “World’s Fastest Milkman,” won six Unlimited races — including Miss Budweiser’s first win — between 1958 and his death in 1967. He set a speed record in the American Power Boat Association Gold Cup, racing better than 120 mph with Miss Exide in Seattle in 1965.

The younger Brow organized the San Juan race to bring the excitement of a sport he loves to the island, and to give the local economy a boost: About 50 racers, their families and friends will visit San Juan for the event.

The oval race course is 100 feet long, and boats will reach speeds of up to 50 mph. Brow said the boats don’t pollute because they are electric.

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