​The ERCU Board of Directors has set its leadership for the 2026-27 term, assigning roles to the four newly elected members and the three continuing directors.

Nelson Holmberg will continue as Chair. Dennis Caines takes over as Secretary, and Tom Markos will serve as Treasurer/Registrar. David Heilbrunn will remain Race Coordinator, Paxton Reunanen will stay on as Statistician, and Craig Mullen will continue as Inspector. Carl Lewis rounds out the board as At-Large member and Co-Inspector.

The officers' terms begin November 1. Over the coming weeks, the board will work with outgoing directors Jerry Dunlap, Mike McIntosh and Jim McKeon on a smooth handoff of duties ahead of winter meetings and planning for the 2027 season.

In recognition of his years of service to ERCU's leadership, the 2026-27 board also voted unanimously to appoint Dunlap as an appointed, non-voting Director Emeritus, so that his institutional knowledge, leadership experience and out-of-the-box thinking will not be lost in important board deliberations going forward.
​
Questions for any board member can be sent through the club's About/Contact Us page.

ERCU Unveils its 2026 End of Season Award Contenders

​The boats are drying out, the batteries are in storage mode, and the 2026 racing season is officially in the books. That means it's time for one of the most intriguing days on the ERCU calendar: the moment we hand out some hardware and celebrate some of the people who made this season one to remember.

The nominations are in, and the competition is as tight as a three-boat run into the first turn. Mark your calendars now: the winners will be revealed at the annual End of Season Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 7, at The Ram in Puyallup. The luncheon runs from noon-2 p.m., so come hungry and bring your best cheering voice.

A Special Guest With Serious Roostertail Credentials
This year's celebration features a guest who knows a thing or two about life on the water. Dustin Echols, former driver of Bucket List Racing and current H1 Unlimited live stream analyst, will be joining us.

Whether you want to hear what it's like behind the wheel of a full-size unlimited or get his take on the sport from the broadcast booth, this is your chance to talk boats with someone who's lived it from both sides.

Meet the 2026 Nominees:

ERCU Rookie of the Year
Our newest drivers jumped in with both feet this season, and four of them made enough waves to earn a nod:

• Wayne Beeson
• Riley Christy
• Marc Connelly
• Ron Manchester

Sportsmanship Award
Racing is about winning, but this award recognizes those who make the pits a better place to be. Eight nominees made the cut:

• Jerry Dunlap
• Paul Dunlap
• John Havens, Jr.
• David Heilbrunn
• Nelson Holmberg
• Mike McIntosh
• Brian Perkins
• Paxton Reunanen

Most Improved Driver
These six drivers found extra speed, sharper lines and plenty of confidence in 2026:

• Wayne Beeson
• Dennis Caines
• Marc Connelly
• Jim Hagan
• John Havens, Jr.
• Scott Whitestine

Contest Director of the Year
None of our races happen without someone willing to take charge, keep the schedule moving and make the tough calls. This year's nominees, and the events they ran:

• Dennis Caines – Diamond Cup
• Paul Dunlap – Champion Spark Plug Regatta
• David Heilbrunn – Seafair Trophy Race
• Mike McIntosh & Bob Van den Akker – Bernie Little Memorial
• Tom Markos & Nelson Holmberg – Atomic Cup
• David Newton – Roger Newton Memorial

Sponsor of the Year
A huge thank-you to the supporters who help keep ERCU on the water with their generous financial support to the club. Your nominees:

• Chuck Murray
• Pirtek
• Skidfin Solutions

Contribution Award
This award honors those who give their time, talent and energy to the club, often behind the scenes and without being asked:

• Dennis Caines
• Jerry Dunlap
• Paul Dunlap
• Mark Gran
• David Heilbrunn
• Nelson Holmberg
• Mike McIntosh
• Jim & Patty McKeon
• Chuck Murray

ERCU Hall of Fame
The club's highest honor. These four nominees have left a lasting mark on ERCU both in their contributions to the club, and their performances on the water.

• Dennis Caines
• Jim Latimer
• Mark Manchester
• Paxton Reunanen

Busy Seasons, Big Ballots
A few names kept popping up as we read through this year's list. Dennis Caines leads the way with four nominations: Most Improved Driver, Contest Director of the Year, the Contribution Award and the Hall of Fame. That's quite a season. 

Paul Dunlap, David Heilbrunn, Nelson Holmberg and Mike McIntosh each earned three nods, and rookies Wayne Beeson and Marc Connelly are pulling double duty in both the Rookie of the Year and Most Improved categories.

Will anyone sweep their categories? You'll have to be at The Ram to find out.

See You on Nov. 7!
Congratulations to every nominee, and thank you to everyone who raced, worked, sponsored, volunteered and cheered this season. Join us Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Ram in Puyallup for good food, great company, a visit from Dustin Echols, and the big reveal of the 2026 ERCU award winners.

ELMA — The checkered flag has fallen on another season of Electric Radio Controlled Unlimiteds racing.

The Atomic Cup at Vance Creek Park brought the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series to its conclusion Saturday, giving ERCU drivers one final opportunity to put their boats on the podium — and several drivers took full advantage of it.

From the roar of the modern unlimiteds to the history represented by the vintage classes, the Atomic Cup delivered a fitting finale to a season built around fast boats, close competition and the passion that continues to drive ERCU racing.

Six classes competed for Atomic Cup honors, with drivers representing modern, classic and vintage unlimiteds in both 1/10- and 1/7-scale competition.

Heilbrunn Takes 1/10 Modern
David Heilbrunn and the 2015 Dalton Industries came away with the 1/10 modern championship after overcoming a difficult preliminary round. Heilbrunn opened the event with a heat victory, but DNFs in the second and third preliminary heats left him with 400 points heading into the final.

That made the final heat particularly important — and Heilbrunn delivered. He crossed the finish first, adding another 400 points and bringing his total to 800.

Nelson Holmberg finished second in the class with the 2022 Miss Homestreet. Holmberg had been one of the most consistent drivers in the preliminary heats, winning two and finishing second in the other before taking second in the final. The result gave Holmberg 1,400 points in the event, but the final-heat finish put Heilbrunn on top of the Atomic Cup podium.

Dunlap Rules 1/10 Classic
Paul Dunlap put together one of the strongest performances of the weekend in the 1/10 classic class.

Driving the 1971 Country Boy, Dunlap won two preliminary heats and finished second in the third. He then followed that performance with another heat victory in the final. Dunlap finished with 1,500 points to claim the Atomic Cup title.

Chuck Murray and the 1976 Olympia Beer finished second with 1,100 points, while Nelson Holmberg placed third with the 1975 Pay 'n Pak (with Scott Whitestine driving in the final) also finishing with 1,100 points in the event standings.

The final heat proved to be the difference between the drivers, with Murray taking second and Holmberg recording a DNF.

Fonville Wins 1/10 Vintage
Jay Fonville added another Atomic Cup victory to his weekend by taking the 1/10 vintage title with the 1962 Supertest II. Fonville won two of his three preliminary heats, finishing fourth in the other, before coming through with a victory in the final.

Marc Connelly and the 1969 Notre Dame finished second, while Wayne Beeson took third with the 1967 Gale’s Roostertail.

The vintage field once again demonstrated one of ERCU’s defining characteristics: boats spanning decades of unlimited hydroplane history competing side-by-side on the same race course.

Whitestine Sweeps 1/7 Classic and Vintage
Scott Whitestine had a particularly memorable Atomic Cup, winning both the 1/7 classic and 1/7 vintage divisions.
In 1/7 classic, Whitestine piloted the 1972 Notre Dame to two preliminary heat victories and a third-place finish before winning the final. His 1,425 points were enough for the class championship.

Dennis Caines finished second with the 1975 Pay ’n Pak, while Wayne Beeson placed third in the 1978 Mark & Pak.
Whitestine was even more dominant in 1/7 vintage.

Driving the 1962 Notre Dame, he swept all three preliminary heats before winning the final as well. His perfect preliminary record carried him to 1,600 points and the Atomic Cup championship.

The battle for second was particularly close. Dennis Caines and the 1968 Eagle Electric finished second in the final, while John Havens Jr. and the 1962 Miss U.S.finished third. Both drivers finished the event with 919 points.

Havens Claims 1/7 Modern
The 1/7 modern class featured a single entry, John Havens Jr. and the 1991 American Spirit.

Havens put together three preliminary heats, finishing second, second and third to accumulate 825 points.

Although the American Spirit was unable to start the final, Havens' preliminary performance secured the class result.

A Fitting Finish to the 2026 Season
The Atomic Cup wasn't simply another race on the ERCU calendar. It was the final chapter of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series, bringing drivers, boats and fans together one last time for the season.

Across the six classes, the event showcased the range of ERCU racing — from modern unlimiteds built to represent today's hydroplane designs to classic and vintage boats that preserve the history and character of the sport.

And once again, the racing demonstrated that a successful day on the water requires more than a fast boat.

It takes preparation.

It takes teamwork.

It takes persistence when a heat doesn't go according to plan.

And, above all, it takes a passion for unlimited hydroplane racing.

The Atomic Cup provided plenty of all four.

With the 2026 championship season now complete, ERCU turns its attention toward the offseason — and the boats, drivers and teams that will return to the water looking for another championship in 2027.

Per the ERCU Bylaws, the Board Chair polls the board at year's end to crown our annual End of Season Award winners. This year, the board wants to hear from YOU first — the people who actually raced, wrenched, sponsored, and showed up all season long.

So here's your chance to put someone (maybe even yourself — no shame in that game) in the spotlight they deserve. From your nominations, the board will do its official duty and pick the winners.

Here's what's up for grabs:

• Rookie of the Year — any member who just wrapped their first full ERCU season (entered with fewer than 2,500 career points)
• Most Improved Driver — who leveled up the most this year?
• Sponsor of the Year — who's been in our corner making it all possible?
• Sportsmanship Award — who races hard and races clean?
• Contest Director of the Year — who kept the chaos organized?
• Contribution Award — who quietly makes ERCU better?
• Hall of Fame — the legends among us

Click here to submit your nominations — it takes two minutes, and you can nominate as many people (and in as many categories) as you like.

⏰ Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 — after that, the board takes over and picks the winners.
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Don't let your favorite teammate, sponsor, or comeback story go unrecognized. Nominate now!

Results of the 2026 ERCU Board of Directors election have been verified and candidates have been notified.

With many thanks from the club membership, turnout in our election was 78 percent, which is amazing.

ERCU Board Secretary Jerry Dunlap tallied and verified the votes, and those elected are Dennis Caines (82%), Nelson Holmberg (96%), Carl Lewis (68%) and Tom Markos (82%). Terms officially begin on November 1, so the new board will meet soon to determine which roles each will serve on the board and begin working on transition from those leaving the board.

Leaving the board after two years of service will be Mike McIntosh and Jim McKeon. Jerry Dunlap, after serving eight years on the board will also be leaving. Many thanks to each of the three for their service to the club over many years.

The 11th race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Detroit Memorial Regatta, set for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey.
 
The Detroit Memorial has become one of ERCU's most meaningful events of the season — a day of racing dedicated to remembering and celebrating the club members and friends who helped build the organization and the sport we enjoy today.
 
Here's everything you need to know to prepare for the Detroit Memorial Regatta.
 
LOCATION
Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course
Woodland Creek Park
6729 Pacific Avenue SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:05 a.m.
First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m.
All times are approximate and subject to change.
 
DETROIT MEMORIAL REGATTA
The Detroit Memorial Regatta was established in 2021 to memorialize and celebrate ERCU members who have passed away over the years.
 
Many thanks go to Brad Lewis and David Newton, whose vision and hard work helped create this special event. What began as a new race on the ERCU schedule has become a tradition — and one of the most meaningful events of the racing season.
 
The race also pays tribute to the history of unlimited hydroplane racing. In real-life unlimited hydroplane racing, the Detroit River Racing Association — later the Windmill Pointe Yacht Club — presented the Detroit Memorial Regatta in Detroit in either late June or early July.
 
Today, ERCU brings that tradition to life in scale, with some of the most recognizable unlimited hydroplanes in history competing on the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course.
 
At the 2026 Detroit Memorial Regatta, ERCU will also take time to remember and recognize three members of our racing family whom we lost during the past year: Bill Amick, Chris Denslow and Mike Schultz. Each made his own unique contribution to ERCU and the sport of radio-controlled unlimited hydroplane racing. Their friendship, passion and presence will be missed, and we are honored to celebrate their memories as part of this year's Detroit Memorial.
 
RACE OFFICIALS

• Contest Director: ERCU Board of Directors
• Chief Referees: Modern: Jerry & Paul Dunlap. Classic: TBA. Vintage: Carl Lewis
• Drivers Representative: Bob Van den Akker
• Turn Judges: First- and second-place finishers from the previous heat will judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first- and second-place finishers to provide a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
WHAT TO EXPECT

• Racecourse setup will take place between approximately 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration will be available from approximately 8-9 a.m.
• The mandatory drivers meeting will begin at approximately 9:05 a.m.
• Racing will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m., or no more than 10 minutes after completion of the drivers meeting.
• Three preliminary flights of heats will be run for each division.
• Consolation heats will be run depending on boat count and attrition.
• Winner-take-all finals will determine the winners of each class.
• A one-minute, 30-second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 30-minute lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats. The club will provide lunch for all in attendance. Members should plan to provide their own drinks.
• Awards will be presented following completion of the day's racing.

 
PRE-REGISTRATION
Pre-registration for the Detroit Memorial Regatta is open now and can be found online by clicking here.
 
To register, navigate to the Detroit Memorial Regatta page on the ERCU website and follow the registration instructions. Pre-registration will close at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. After the pre-registration deadline, drivers must register in person at the race site before the on-site registration deadline.
 
You can also find the race registration page by visiting the ERCU website and selecting Schedule, followed by Detroit Memorial Regatta.
 
DRIVERS MEETING
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes. The meeting will begin at the scorer's table within approximately five minutes of the conclusion of the testing period.
 
Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat, regardless of whether they are pre-registered or have paid their entry fees. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
RACE FORMAT
Preliminary Heats

• Three preliminary flights of five-lap heats will be run for each class.
• The flight schedule will include:
  • 1/10-scale modern
  • 1/7-scale modern
  • 1/10-scale classic
  • 1/7-scale classic
  • 1/10-scale vintage
  • 1/7-scale vintage

 
Consolations
First and second consolation heats will be conducted for each class depending on boat count and attrition.

• Boats 6-10 in cumulative event points qualify for the first consolation.
• The first-consolation winner advances to the final as a trailer boat.
• The second-place boat in the first consolation is the alternate for the final.
• Boats 11-15 in cumulative event points qualify for the second consolation.
• The second-consolation winner advances to the first consolation as a front starter.

 
Winner-Take-All Finals
The final will consist of the top five boats in cumulative event points, plus the qualifying consolation winner as the trailer starter. The final is winner-take-all and will determine the winner of each class. The 2026 ERCU rules specify that heats are normally five laps and run counterclockwise. At the chief referee's discretion, the number of laps may be reduced under the circumstances outlined in the ERCU rules.
 
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The planned flight schedule will include:

• 1/10 scale modern
• 1/7 scale modern
• 1/10 scale classic
• 1/7 scale classic
• 1/10 scale vintage
• 1/7 scale vintage

 
2026 ERCU INSPECTIONS
As part of ERCU's 2026 inspection program, the inspection team will endeavor to inspect and test boats before the first race each boat runs at. Drivers should:

• Print and complete the Hull Inspection Form before arriving at the race site.
• Complete the member information at the top of page one.
• Bring a photograph of the full-size boat their model represents. A photo displayed on a phone or tablet is acceptable.

Inspection information and forms are available through the Resources section of the ERCU website (click here).
 
VISITING DRIVERS & ROOKIE TESTING
ERCU welcomes new members and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing may be offered during the open-water period as needed. The racecourse will be closed during rookie driver testing. Visiting racers are welcome to compete; however, visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy if they win the race.
 
COURSE & CHASE BOAT
The racecourse will be set by 8 a.m. and then open for practice water. All drivers and crew members are expected to cooperate with race officials and course personnel throughout the event.
 
POST-RACE CLEANUP & AWARDS
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority following completion of racing.
Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be presented to the first-, second- and third-place finishers. All members have a responsibility to assist with setup and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation and celebrate the day's competitors.
 
RESTROOMS
Public restrooms are available at the park and are expected to be open.
 
ELECTRICITY
There is no access to electricity in the pits. Drivers who need to charge batteries during the day should plan to bring a generator or other appropriate power source.
 
SEE YOU IN LACEY!
The Detroit Memorial Regatta is about more than racing. It's an opportunity to celebrate the history of ERCU, remember those who helped make the club what it is today, and enjoy another day of fast electric unlimited hydroplane racing with friends, family and fellow racers.

MARYSVILLE — Bernie Little would have appreciated the spectacle.

There were big names, new members, first-time winners legendary hulls, plenty of speed and, naturally, just enough mechanical drama to keep everybody watching the water instead of the heat draws.

But when the final checkered flags flew Saturday at Twin Lakes Park, one driver had turned the Bernie Little Memorial into his own personal victory lap.

Paxton Reunanen.

Reunanen drove to four class victories, winning the 1/10 classic, 1/10 vintage, 1/7 modern and 1/7 vintage divisions in an impressive display of consistency and speed at the ERCU event honoring the longtime owner of the legendary Miss Budweiser.

Reunanen's first victory came in the 1/10 classic division aboard the 1983 Miss Rock KISW, where he swept all three preliminary heats before returning to win the final. David Newton finished second in the 1971 Country Boy, with Jim Latimer taking third in the 1986 Horizon Air.

The 1/10 vintage class produced more of the same. Reunanen put the 1965 Gale's Roostertail on top in all three preliminaries and then completed the sweep by winning the final. Jerry Dunlap finished second with the 1964 Miss Exide, while Wayne Beeson brought the 1967 Gale's Roostertail home third.

Reunanen wasn't finished.

In the 1/7 modern division, the 2023 Beacon Plumbing again proved untouchable. Reunanen won every preliminary heat and then captured the final. John Sjostrom finished second in the 2003 Miss Chrysler Jeep, while David Heilbrunn took third with the 2024 Goodman Real Estate.

And then came the 1/7 vintage class, where Reunanen once again left little doubt about who was running the show.

His 1982 Island Security Systems won all three preliminary heats and the final, giving Reunanen his fourth victory of the day. David Heilbrunn finished second in the 1965 Blue Chip, followed by John Havens Jr. in the 1962 Miss U.S. 1.

If Reunanen was the day's dominant driver, the 1/7 classic division supplied one of the day's best twists.

Gale Whitestine, driving the 1975 Weisfields, saved his best run for the final and moved into the top spot. Mike McIntosh finished second in the 1973 Red Man Too, while Wayne Beeson took third in the 1978 Miss Mark & Pak. Mike Gossler had been perfect through the preliminary rounds in the 1977 Squire, winning all three, but a DNF in the final knocked him out of contention.

The 1/10 modern division also provided a little drama.

New member Riley Christy, one of the contingent of four from Southern California, used a strong finish to win the class in the 1992 Smokin Joes, edging Mike Dunn (another of the SoCal dudes), who finished second in the 2011 Miss Albert Lee. Newton was third in the 2006 Miss Emcor. The racing in the modern final was the best of the day, and fans even saw the excitement of a nasty bang-bang crash exiting turn one that left the 2015 Graham Trucking and the 1991 Winston Eagle significantly damaged.

The numbers tell only part of the story. The real entertainment came from the unpredictability that is part of unlimited hydroplane racing — even when the boats are radio-controlled.

There were dominant performances, comeback drives, DNFs and DNS results scattered throughout the day's racing. Boats that looked unbeatable in the preliminaries sometimes found themselves on the wrong side of fortune when the final heat arrived.
That made Reunanen's four victories all the more impressive.

Across six classes, the Bernie Little Memorial celebrated both ends of the hydroplane spectrum — from modern replicas to vintage legends — while honoring the man whose name became synonymous with the Miss Budweiser dynasty.

And on a day when the boats came roaring across Twin Lakes in tribute to Bernie Little, Reunanen made sure one name appeared on the winner's list again and again.

Four times, to be exact.

Bernie Little probably would have called that a pretty good day at the races.