Saturday September 17th
Apple Cup Results: Paul Jackson driving his "Edge" makes a sweep of the major hardware in a come from way behind victory!!
In what turned out to be a day of fast and furious racing, 16 boats competed in this years Apple Cup being held at Tye Lake Park in Monroe
In a stunning manner, Paul Jackson whittled his way into the final, with a Consolation win! He'd just barely made it into the consolation with a little over 600 points. In this year's format, set down at the onset of the race during the drivers meeting by sponsor Mike Cathey, the Final was to be the top 5 boats with the 6th boat being the winner of the Consolation race (NO trailer boat).
Paul Jackson, as luck would have it, used his skill to the hit the starting line dead on and with the inside lane at the start of the consolation heat, and it was all over but the crying!
Given time to fuel up, Paul was once again first boat out on the water for the start of the Final Heat. As luck (or is it Paul's skill) would have it, Paul had the Edge on the inside again, going full till at the start finish line as the clock Beeped its final tick. Good thing too!! Because behind Paul, a traffic mess of unspeakable proportions was being created that rivals anything we see on I-5 as the train wreck of boats swerved to miss one another as other competitors moved to what was thought to be open water. The Tide driven by Dave Newton, and last weeks winner of the Sahara Cup, John Hruby with his Circus Circus, who was having a perfect day up till then, fell victims to what ended up being nothing short of a drivers nightmare in the front stretch, as boats and parts literally tried to claim each possible lane. The boats left running had trouble negotiating the carnage. With careful driving, which included slowing down by each remaining running competitor through that front stretch, ended with the Edge taking the checkered flag.
For his efforts Paul received, first the trophy for winning the Consolation Race, then the Apple Cup itself, along with a commemorative "Keepers" plaque.
The other hardware was in the form of the "Gas Hydro" race's Apple Cup winners plaque, which went to John Olson driving his awesome looking Tempo VII, which John had running like a scalded cat today!
The final award, the Glenn Ono Memorial Trophy, topped with a glass replica of Glenn's 1969 Notre Dame that his brother Dave still drives today, was presented by Mike to the driver personifying "Glenn's traits of Good Sportsmanship". This year the trophy went to U-76 and Miss Cott's Beverage Driver, Kerry Case
Admittedly, the drizzle and light rain that appeared around 1:00pm didn't dampen the fun all had at this years Apple Cup. Special Thanks to Mike for sponsoring the race - To the People of Monroe, for so graciously allowing us to use the Lake Tye Park facility, and to ALL the Racers, who "make it happen"
You guys are the BEST!
Next on the list, is the Emerald Cup - Same location next Saturday - Hope to see YOU ALL there!
Your Race Day Correspondent
Tom English