By Al Camp
Chronicle staff

     PATEROS — The inaugural Terry Troxell Memorial Regatta featured a tight race involving Troxell’s former boats Aug. 29-30 on Lake Pateros.
     Troxell was 61 when he died June 13 of a massive heart attack. He won the Detroit Gold Cup in 2005 and, with his wife, Sue, spearheaded getting hydroplane racing established in Pateros.
     “Some of the best racing of the weekend was the first heat of the national mods on Sunday,” Julie Belisle-Porter said of the races presented by JJW Construction.
     “The boat NM33 Mack’s Out was racing deck to deck with the NM133 Hey Jude,” she said. “The Hey Jude was formerly called the Stinger. When it was the Stinger, the driver was Terry Troxell, who was the national champion in that boat.
     “The Mack’s Out boat was Terry’s current ride at the time of his death,” Belisle-Porter said. “So it was fitting the two boats raced as hard as they did for the win.”
     Belisle-Porter noted that Detroit is the most prestigious of all races for unlimited drivers.
     “Terry won driving an underdog boat called Miss Al Deeby Dodge, U13,” she said.
     After this year’s race, the Terry Troxell Perpetual (traveling) Trophy was presented to Jeff Bernard, driver of Mack’s Out (and other boats). Bernard, Woodinville, was the step-son of Troxell.
     “It was pretty emotional and very well-deserved,” Belisle-Porter said, noting Troxell’s death is still fresh among all the racers. “I don’t think there was a dry eye among the racers when that was handed out. It was definitely a touching thing.”
     At the end of Sunday racing, Bernard drove the opposite way around the race course in tribute to his stepfather.
     Results (place, boat, driver):
     1 litre: 1, Y5 Pacific Natique, Robby Dalhquist. 2, Y11 Polecat, Russ Dodge. 3, Y6 Bonnecini Racing, Bianca Bonnecini.
     2.5 stock: 1, S81 Meyers Auto Tech, Jesse Robertson. 2, S10 Cojote, Joe Gutierrez. 3, S36 Trainer, Brian Perkins and Austin Eachret.
     2.5 modified: 1, A24 Firefox, Tim Hamilton. 2, A90 Sidewinder, Jared Knellekin. 3, S36 Trainer, Jason Woods and Austin Eachret.
     5 litre: 1, E55 My Way, Jeff Bernard. 2, E15 Wingin It, Wayne Howard. 3, E98 Agitator, Wally Johnston.
     National Modified: 1, NM33 Mack’s Out, Jeff Bernard. 2, NM88 Mr. Jiggs, Brent Harnack. 3, NM133 Hey Jude, Chris Bertram.
     Vintage: 11 boats, each receiving participation awards.