Your Glen Ono Memorial Nitro Scale Hydro Final Winner - Ryan Hickam
Flanked by race sponsors Gene Gager and Dave Ono
Glen Ono Memorial Nitro Scale Hydro Connie winner - Doug Kirk
Glen Ono Memorial UNW/PNWTA Gas Scale Hydro Winner - Marty Shallenberger
Saturday April 23rd
25 Nitro and about 4 Gas boats enjoyed the beautiful sunshine of the 10th annual Glen Ono Memorial Race at Gissberg Twin Lakes park.
The fleet managed to widdle itself down to the top 11 boats. The top 5 for the final and the winner of the Consolation race moving up to the final. Doug Kirk was having a story book day driving his son David's 1972 Notre Dame to a perfect 4th heat ending with 1600 points. But this caused a particular problem in that he'd also Qualified his Cellular One, with 1100 points into the Consolation race. Another racer to slimly make it into the consolation was Paul Jackson and his Gilmore special.
Well the knock down drag out consolation that followed ended with Doug's Cellular One winning and Paul's Gilmore coming in second. But Doug already had the 1972 Notre Dame in the final heat so Paul's Gilmore was allowed as the 6th contestant.
Interestingly enough, Paul's Gilmore followed closely by Ryan's Coors Light were one and two. There was carnage in the left turn from the start, and on about the second lap, with Ryan hot on his trail, Paul cut the apex buoy to the left turn, assessing a lap penalty! Well that put Ryan in the drivers seat so to speak, and he didn't look back! Ryan went on to win his first race ever!
You could tell he was exhilarated, but he also had a certain amount of reservation about the whole thing. Well . . winning your first race, has a secondary celebratory etiquette, you must take a swim. After emptying his pockets and taking off his shoes, and with a taunting and prodding of his peers, Ryan plunged into the depth's of the lake! Fullfilling the wish of every racer, whose ever come racing! To at least win a race!
Congratulations Ryan on a hard fought win!! You certainly earned the Glen Ono Memorial Race!!
Thanks to all who came and a Big Thanks to Dave Ono, and Gene Gager for putting on what turned out to be an awesome day of racing!! Oh, and an even BIGER Thanks to Pat and Mary for cooking up the hot dogs and chili feast!!
See you all in about a month, May 21st when the fleet takes the action to Monroe for the Putich families running of the Seafair Trophy Race. Hope to see you all there!!
Your Race Day Correspondent
Tom English