Brewster Hydrofest hosts third annual Tony Newton Memorial Regatta

Marissa Bartels emerges from the cockpit following her victorious run.

MIKE MALTAIS/WARD MEDIA

The A-11 rounds the final turn with the nearest challenger seen in the background.

MIKE MALTAIS/WARD MEDIA

A photo of the late Tony Newton, the Thunderfest namesake, adorned every boat in the event.

COURTESY OF CHRIS DENSLOW/DIGITAL ROOSTERTAILS

Conrad Malmo made the unique propeller trophies for the winners.

COURTESY OF CHRIS DENSLOW/DIGITAL ROOSTERTAILS

Chris Bertram, right, driver of the 5-litre Cheetah, won this year’s Tony Newton Memorial award. At left is Rilynn Bernard.

COURTESY OF CHRIS DENSLOW/DIGITAL ROOSTERTAILS

Brewster resident Jim Labrie, the man responsible for bringing Thunderfest to Brewster, helps guide a boat onto its trailer.

MIKE MALTAIS/WARD MEDIA

Posted Monday, September 16, 2024 2:53 pm

By MIKE MALTAIS
Ward Media Staff Reporter

BREWSTER – The third annual running of the Brewster Thunderfest – Tony Newton Memorial Regatta was welcomed by warm weather and good water as the Pacific Northwest Boat Racing Association (PNBRA) teams came to town for one of their final races of the year Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8.

As the drivers cruised back to the Columbia Cove docks after two days of competition, the results were particularly gratifying for two teams The Quad has been following since the Terry Troxell Memorial Hydro Classic in Pateros August 17-18.

The Buckley-based Bartels Family Racing team with driver Marissa Bartels – and when her job allows sister Marina - finished first in the 2.5 Modified class to give their points total a boost to close on leader Jeston Burnett. Bartels settled for third at Pateros two weeks earlier.
Cashmere-based Kyle Davenport, owner/driver of the Bantam 2.5 Stock boat, tied the best finish of his racing career with three first places and a second. Davenport placed third at Pateros.

Chris Bertram, driver of the 5-litre Cheetah in the E350 class, when he is not helping other crews on the circuit, was awarded the Tony Newton Memorial trophy, given to the individual recognized for helping others.

Brewster Jim Labrie who brought the inaugural Thunderfest to Brewster said he hopes to schedule next year’s race on a weekend other than the Okanogan County and Chelan County Fairs.

“I would have liked to see a few more boats but all in all it was a good weekend,” said Labrie. “I got a chance to drive my buddy Darrell Robinson’s vintage boat Radical so that was pretty fun.”

But the weekend was not without incident like last year when the 2.5 litre Monkey Business flipped during a heat. This time out 14-uear-old Katie Brown went upside down in her 1.5 litre boat for the first time in her young career. Undaunted, Brown climbed behind the wheel of a competitor’s boat and won that race.

Labrie said he hopes to bring more complementary events to future Thunderfests similar to the Bonanza Days of Brewster’s past. He is even casting an eye toward Coulee City for a future vintage boat event.

Pateros resident and race supporters George and Carol Pearson treated the teams to a burrito breakfast on Saturday morning.

The PNBRA teams will meet next at the Manson Hydrofest, Sept. 28-29.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media