The sixth race of the 2026 ERCU Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Jack Regas Memorial, set for Saturday, June 13,  at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the sixth event of the year.

Location
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park
16324 Twin Lakes Ave
Marysville, WA 98271

Contest Director
Craig Mullen

Context
This race had been known as the ERCU Apple Cup since its inception in 2010, when Ben Keller created the event, complete with an exhibition race drawing as many boats as possible that ran in the 1957 Apple Cup in Chelan, Wash., to recreate that final heat. After Jack Regas passed away in early 2014, Keller requested permission from the ERCU Contest Board to change the name of the event to the Jack Regas Memorial, in honor of the onetime Hawaii Kai III driver, who had not only met with Keller to see his models of the “Pink Lady”, but also followed the boat’s seasons in ERCU and ESU. After ERCU high points championships in 2011 and 2012, Keller presented Regas with plaques commemorating the wins. Jack Regas meant a lot to not only the Hawaii Kai history, Keller, and Choral Enterprises, but also to unlimited hydroplane racing in general. ERCU is proud to have an event named for his memory.

What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:15-8 a.m.
• Practice water and 8-9 a.m.
• On-site registration will be accepted until 8:30am
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:20 a.m.
• Racing begins at approximately 9:30 a.m. (maximum of 10 minutes after drivers meeting)
• Three flights of heats for each division (1/10 and 1/7)
• First and second consolations (depending on boat count and attrition)

           o  First connie winner is trailer in the final
           o  First connie second place is alternate for the final
           o  Second connie winner starts on the front line in first connie

• Final heats will be run for each class
• One minute-30 second start clock for all racing
• A 30-minute lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats is complete. Members should provide their own lunch.
• This is the second Triple Crown race for all modern hulls

Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Jack Regas Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/jack-regas-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the race site map. Pre-registration will close at 6 p.m., Friday, June 12. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m. You can also find pre-registration by going to www.ercu-hydros.com, then selecting “Schedule” from the main menu, and “Jack Regas Memorial” from the schedule itself.

Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing 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 and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.

Jack Regas Memorial Defending 2025 Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern David Newton, 2025 Goodman Real Estate
• 1/7 Scale Modern/Classic: Tyler McKeon 2010 Peters & May
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 KISW Miss Rock
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Gales Roostertail
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: Tyler McKeon, 1967 Miss Lapeer

 
Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each. Connies and winner-take-all finals.
• First and second connies for each class (depending on total boat count and attrition).

           o  Boats 6-10 in cumulative event points qualify for the first connie.
           o  First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer boat. Second place in first connie is alternate in the final.
           o  Boats 11-15 in cumulative event points qualify for the second connie.

• Second connie winner advances to the first connie as a front starter.
• Final heat with top five boats in each class, plus the connie winner as a trailer starter. 

Flight Schedule

• 1/10 scale Modern
• 1/7 scale Modern/Classic
• 1/10 scale Classic
• 1/10 scale Vintage
• 1/7 scale Vintage

Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting Drivers
ERCU always welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers immediately upon the completion of the days last race.
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the awarded ceremony is over. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers. 

Restrooms
Public restrooms are available on site and are expected to be open.

Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source to charge your batteries if you need to charge during the day.

Pre-Registration
Pre-Registration for the Jack Regas Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/jack-regas-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the race site map. Pre-registration will close at 6 p.m., Friday, June 12. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.

LONGVIEW, Wash. — The fifth stop of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series delivered everything fans could want from the 53rd running of the Stan Sayres Memorial: close racing, comeback stories, mechanical heartbreak, and a few familiar names standing tall when the spray settled.

Held on the picturesque waters of Lake Sacajawea, the annual Memorial once again honored one of hydroplane racing’s most legendary figures while providing plenty of drama across both the 1/10-scale and 1/7-scale divisions.

Within the race format of a points race, meaning the winners of the event were determined by the total accumulated points over the day, consistently finishing heats was critical. No boat had a perfect day, but two came close with 1,500 points.

In 1/10 scale modern competition, Ron Daum’s 2004 Llumar Window Films emerged victorious with 1,100 points after surviving a challenging preliminary schedule and claiming the final for his first modern class win in ERCU. Daum edged Tom Markos and the 2015 Graham Trucking (900 points), while Nelson Holmberg’s 2023 Flav-R-Pac gave chase to the Lamar after posting the highest preliminary total with two preliminary heat wins, but a heartbreaking DNF in the championship heat left him third overall.

The 1/10 Classic class belonged to the Dunlap family. Markos' 1971 Country Boy, driven by Paul Dunlap, was nearly untouchable, scoring 1,500 points and winning three preliminary heats before finishing second in the final. The only boat able to get around Country Boy when it mattered was Holmberg’s 1986 Squire Shop Brittania, which captured the final and finished second overall with 1,200 points. Holmberg's 1975 Pay 'n Pak had a consistent performance with three seconds throughout the day that was good for 900 points and a third-place race finish, despite not running in the final.

Vintage action produced one of the weekend’s best battles and provided what essentially was a winner-take-all final heat. Dunlap’s 1964 Miss Exide claimed the overall victory with 1,300 points, holding off Chuck Murray’s 1964 Savair’s Mist, which dominated the preliminary rounds before a DNF in the final dropped the boat to second. John Howell, in his first ERCU event of the year, was second in the final and took third in the race results. 

The 1/7 scale divisions were equally entertaining.

In classic competition, Craig Mullen’s 1971 Pride of Pay ’n Pak assembled the most consistent day of racing to capture the title with 1,269 points, despite penalties in the final that set his boat back to fourth in the finishing order. John Havens Jr.’s 1976 Miss Budweiser finished second at 1,200 points, while Wayne Beeson’s 1978 Miss Mark & Pak rounded out the podium with 1,075 points.

The headline performance of the weekend came in 1/7 vintage. Mike McIntosh’s 1969 Pay ’n Pak Outrigger was simply dominant, posting 1,500 points and taking the championship with a flawless final heat performance. Scott Whitestine’s 1962 Notre Dame finished a strong second with 1,250 points, while John Havens Jr.’s 1962 Miss U.S. 1 completed the podium with 1,169 points.

As the Skidfin Solutions Championship Series heads toward the second half of the season, Longview once again proved why the Stan Sayres Memorial remains one of ERCU’s most cherished traditions. The racing was fast, the competition fierce, and the memories worthy of the legendary name on the trophy.

The fifth race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Stan Sayres Memorial, set for Saturday May 30, 2026, at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our fifth event of the year.
 
Location
Lake Sacajawea Park, 1800 Nichols Blvd., Longview, WA 98632
 
Contest Director
Nelson Holmberg
 
Context
At 53 years, the Stan Sayres Memorial is the world's oldest and greatest RC Scale Unlimited Race. Started in 1974 by Roger Newton and Monte Steere, the race has been contested in Seattle Model Yacht Club and in RC Unlimiteds before finding itself a home in ERCU.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Stan Sayres Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/stan-sayres-memorial.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the header photo. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following at 10 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026. PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Director: Nelson Holmberg
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern): Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/7 classic): Nelson Holmberg
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage): Carl Lewis
• Chief Referee (1/7 vintage): Nelson Holmberg
• Drivers Representative: Tom Markos
• Scoring: Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first and second place finishers to send a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Race Format

• POINTS RACE: Cumulative points over the course of the entire racing day will determine winners for all six classes including preliminary heats, consolations and finals. Ties will be broken by the boat with the highest season boat points. 
• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.
• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.

• Classic Triple Crown Series event #2

 
Flight Schedule

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

 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed just prior to the drivers meeting. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
Starting Clock
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. 
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
2025 Governors Cup Champions

• 1/10 Modern: David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: Craig Mullen, 1971 Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Classic: Nelson Holmberg, 1976 Atlas Van Lines
• 1/10 Vintage: Paul Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
• 1/7 Vintage: David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III

 
Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting drivers
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period or lunch break as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. If the club has perpetual trophies for a race, those will also be presented at the end of the day. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. 
 
Restrooms
There are public restrooms available on site, and they are expected to be open. A sanican will also be provided in the pits.
 
Electricity
There is no electricity provided in the pits. It is recommended to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.

LAKEWOOD — The infamous "Waughop Winds" showed up right on cue at Waughop Lake, but the rain never really did — and that was more than enough for another action-packed day of racing at the ERCU Governors Cup at Waughop Lake in Fort Steilacoom Park.

Despite ominous forecasts leading into race day, ERCU racers and fans were treated to mostly dry conditions, with only the famous Waughop breeze making life difficult for drivers as the day wore on. Whitecaps, rough water, and shifting gusts tested even the most experienced hands, but the racing stayed sharp from the first heat to the final roostertail.

When the spray settled, two names stood above the rest: Paxton Reunanen & Paul Dunlap.

Reunanen powered to victories in three separate classes, continuing what has quickly become a breakout season. He claimed the 1/10 scale modern title aboard the thunderous 2004 Miss Budweiser (T-5), then added another win in 1/7 scale modern driving the sleek 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Not finished yet, Reunanen also took top honors in 1/10 scale vintage with the beautifully restored 1960 Miss Thriftway, owned by Kerry Kjos.

Meanwhile, Dunlap put on a classic hydroplane clinic of his own. He swept both classic divisions, piloting the 1971 Country Boy — owned by Tom Markos — to victory in 1/10 scale classic before climbing into Carl Lewis’s 1976 Miss Vernor’s to capture the 1/7 scale classic crown, winning despite starting as a trailer after the Vernor's won the connie.

In 1/7 scale vintage, Scott Whitestine muscled the legendary 1962 Notre Dame through the rough water to earn the win in one of the day’s most entertaining finals where he and Mark Manchester, driving the 1966 Notre Dame battled deck-to-deck for most of the final heat before the 1966 ND crashed in the backstretch.

The biggest applause of the afternoon, however, may have been reserved for ERCU’s newest qualified driver. Congratulations went out to Alexandria Whitestine, who officially earned her qualification and will now take the wheel of the 2021 Graham Trucking. With another talented rookie joining the fleet, the future of ERCU racing looks plenty bright.

​By day’s end, racers were windblown, soaked from spray, and smiling anyway — exactly the way a Governors Cup at Waughop Lake is supposed to end.

The fourth race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Governors Cup, set for Saturday May 16, 2026, at Waughop Lake within Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our fourth event of the year.
 
Location
Waughop Lake, Fort Steilacoom Park, 8714 87th Ave. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
 
Contest Directors
Jerry Dunlap & Jim Hagan
 
Context
The Indiana Governors Cup (more commonly known as the Madison Regatta) is an H1 Unlimited hydroplane boat race held annually on Independence Day weekend on the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana. Madison has hosted the Madison Regatta annually since 1951, although the race was also contested in the 1930s. The race inspired a Hollywood motion picture released in 2005, titled Madison which starred actor Mount Vernon, Wash., native Jim Caviezel.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Governors Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/governors-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the header photo. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following at 10 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026. PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Directors: Jerry Dunlap, Jim Hagan
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern): Jerry & Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic & 1/7 classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage & 1/7 vintage): TBA
• Drivers Representative: Jim Hagan
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first and second place finishers to send a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Race Format

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.
• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

• Vintage Triple Crown Series event #2

 
Flight Schedule

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

 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed just prior to the drivers meeting. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
Starting Clock
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. 
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
2025 Governors Cup Champions

• 1/10 Modern: Mike Hughes, 1991 Winston Eagle
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: David Heilbrunn, 2023 Goodman Real Estate
• 1/10 Classic: Tyler McKeon, 1977 Anheuser Busch Natural Light
• 1/10 Vintage: Chuck Murray, 1964 Savair’s Mist
• 1/7 Vintage: Mark Manchester, 1966 Notre Dame

 
Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting drivers
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period or lunch break as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. 
 
Restrooms
There are public restrooms available on site, and they are expected to be open.
 
Electricity
There is no electricity provided in the pits. It is recommended to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Under a mostly sunny sky and unusually calm conditions, the 2026 ERCU Presidents Cup delivered one of the most picturesque and competitive days of model hydroplane racing the series has seen in years.

For a venue often known for predictable sustained winds, Ellensburg showed a different side — glassy water and warm sunshine setting the stage for tight racing across five classes.

“This was the best weather I’ve seen at Ellensburg in the 26-plus years I’ve been racing model hydroplanes,” said ERCU Board Chair Nelson Holmberg. “Hats off to Paxton for doing a great job of running the Presidents Cup. It’s especially cool that he and his grandpa both are keeping the tradition alive in two different model racing clubs.”

Modern Class Headlines a Breakout Performance
The 1/10 scale modern class saw a statement victory from Scott Whitestine, who piloted the brand-new 2021 Graham Trucking to a decisive win in its debut race. The fresh hull showed both speed and stability, holding off veteran competitor David Heilbrunn in the 2015 Dalton Industries, while Dray Newton rounded out the podium in the 2015 Albert Lee.

Reunanen Doubles Down on a Special Day
Contest Director Paxton Reunanen not only kept the day running smoothly — he also delivered on the water. Reunanen drove the 1983 Miss Rock KISW to victory in the 1/10 scale classic class, dominating Holmberg’s zippy 1986 Squire Shop Brittania and John Havens Jr.’s steady backup 1976 Olympia Beer.

“This event is special to me and it means a lot to both my grandpa and I,” Reunanen said. “It was a beautiful day and we lucked out without the traditional ‘Ellensburg winds.’”

Vintage and Classic Classes Showcase Depth
In 1/10 vintage, Chuck Murray guided the 1964 Savair’s Mist to victory over Wayne Beeson’s Gale’s Roostertail and Newton’s Hawaii Kai III.

The 1/7 scale classic class featured another strong showing from Whitestine, who added a second podium with a runner-up finish behind Craig Mullen’s winning 1972 Pay ’n Pak. Carl Lewis secured third in the 1974 Lincoln Thrift.

Meanwhile, the 1/17 vintage class saw Reunanen back in victory lane, piloting the 1969 Pay ’n Pak Outrigger (owned by Mike McIntosh) to the win. David Newton and Whitestine completed the podium.

A Day to Remember
Across all classes, the Presidents Cup combined competitive racing with a sense of tradition and community — a hallmark of ERCU events. From a brand-new modern hull making an immediate impact to multi-generational ties keeping the event alive, the 2026 edition will be remembered as much for its atmosphere as its results.

"I really appreciate everyone who turned out for this race and made it special," Reunanen said. "Many thanks to all who helped put on the race, set up and cleaned up."

And perhaps most notably, for one rare day in Ellensburg, the wind stayed quiet — and the racing spoke loudly.

In response to members concerns about collisions on the race course, the Competition Committee has approved the following Competition Directive (2026-1), effective May 1, 2026. This will be in effect for tomorrow's Presidents Cup in Ellensburg, and through the season.

One point has been added to the club's current collision rules, stating "A boat that is disqualified from a heat per this rule must start as a trailer boat five seconds behind the field in that boat's next heat. This trailer start penalty applies and must be served before the boat may return to the front line regardless if the penalized boat’s next heat will occur at the current race or at a future race."

Per the Competition Committee's Charter, the committee has the authority to create Directives like this one to make adjustments to the rules during the season if situations like this present themselves. It's in the interest of keeping racing fair and safe, which is part of the club's core values.

Competition Directives are effective immediately upon their approval, and will remain in force through the end of the current season. They are also automatically added to the list of proposed rule changes during the offseason rules review process, for members to vote on them.

This makes history for the club as the first-ever Competition Directive. ​

The third race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Presidents Cup presented by Pirtek is set for Saturday May 2, 2026, at Eileen Rinehart Riverfront Park in Ellensburg. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our third event of the year.
 ​
Location
Eileen Rinehart Riverfront Park (upper pond)
1081 Umptanum Road
​Ellensburg, WA 98926
 
Contest Director
Paxton Reunanen
 
Context
The Presidents Cup is one of the most historic and prestigious trophies in all H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing and is recognized as the second-most coveted prize after the APBA Gold Cup. The darkest day in unlimited racing history occurred at the 1966 President’s Cup on the Potomac, where three legendary drivers — Ron Musson (Miss Bardahl), Rex Manchester (Notre Dame), and Don Wilson (Miss Texaco) — were killed in a single day, leading to major safety overhauls in the sport. Rex Manchester was the father of our very own Mark Manchester. Bill Muncey is the most successful driver in the cup's history, winning six times between 1956 and 1977. Chuck Thompson won three consecutive races (1950–52) in Miss Pepsi. While the Gold Cup (established 1904) is the oldest, the President’s Cup represents a significant part of the "triple crown" of historic hydroplane racing, which also includes the H1 National High Points Championship. 
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Presidents Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/presidents-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the header photo. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following at 10 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2026. PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Director: Paxton Reunanen
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic & 1/7 classic): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage & 1/7 vintage): Nelson Holmberg 
• Drivers Representative: TBA
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first and second place finishers to send a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Race Format

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.
• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

• Modern Triple Crown Series event #1

 
Flight Schedule

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

 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. 
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
Presidents Cup Defending Champions

• 1/10 Modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: Craig Mullen, 1972 Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1985 Miss Rock, KISW
• 1/10 Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1962 Gale’s Roostertail
• 1/7 Vintage: Jason Walters, 1972 Oh Boy Oberto

 
Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting drivers
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period or lunch break as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. In the event that the club has perpetual trophies for a race, those will also be presented at the end of the day. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. 
 
Restrooms
There are no public restroom facilities close to our race site at Eileen Rhinhart Riverfront Park. A portable bathroom will be provided and will be located on the backside of the upper pond parking lot.
 
Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.

OLYMPIA — Roostertails flew high and the grandstands stayed buzzing as the ERCU Skidfin Solutions Championship Series delivered one of its most memorable race days of the season at Scott Lake Park in Olympia.

And what a day it was!

Hosted as the featured attraction of the Scott Lake Spring Fair by Dennis Neill Caines, the event drew a packed field of 51 boats into the pits and an even larger wave of community support along the shoreline. From the first heat to the final, fans were treated to tight racing, dramatic lane battles, and championship-caliber performances under clear spring skies.

The Spring Fair atmosphere elevated the entire experience. A lively car show lined the park, Blown Income Racing’s GP-20 drew steady crowds throughout the day, and families filled the venue with energy — kids bouncing between heats in the inflatable play area while others grabbed food and settled in for the action. The turnout made one thing clear: the Scott Lake community showed up in force, and ERCU delivered right back.

When it came time for the final heats, the intensity ratcheted up.

In the 1/10 modern final, Nelson Holmberg piloted his 2023 Flav-R-Pac to its first-ever race win, followed by David Heilbrunn's 2015 Dalton Industries in second place. Paxton Reunanen was unable to start the final with his brand new 2015 Albert Lee.

Next, Reunanen started a sweep of three final heat wins when he won the 1/7 scale modern final with his 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Heilbrunn was again second, with his 2023 Goodman Real Estate. David Newton, driving Mike McIntosh's 1989 Winston Eagle, had a good day scoring 925 points but was unable to finish the final heat.

The 1/10 classic final offered some drama, when Holmberg's 1986 Squire Shop Brittania surprised Reunanen, driving the 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Holmberg slipped inside on the first turn of the second lap and grabbed the lead from the Rock, holding command of the race for another lap until missing the apex pin in turn one and suffering a lap penalty. Reunanen's steady pace proved to be the winning formula, while John Havens Jr was second with his 1976 Olympia Beer (backup) and Paul Dunlap driving Tom Markos' 1971 Country Boy rounded out the podium in third. The lap penalty pushed Holmberg back to the fourth and final finisher.

Reunanen's streak of final heat wins continued in the 1/7 scale classic and 1/10 scale vintage as he drove Mike McIntosh's 1977 Natural Light to a win in the big boat classic and Kerry Kjos's 1960 Miss Thriftway to the win in 1/10 vintage.

Newton claimed his own win, driving the 1958 Hawaii Kai III to victory in the 1/7 vintage final.

Across all of the finals, one theme stood out: precision won the day. Drivers who avoided penalties, hit their marks, and kept their boats composed in traffic found themselves at the front when it mattered most.

While trophies were handed out at the end of the day, the real victory extended beyond the racecourse.

With 51 boats in attendance and a community fully engaged, the event marked a milestone moment for ERCU’s continued growth. The partnership with the Scott Lake Spring Fair created a festival-like environment that introduced new fans to the sport while giving longtime members a race day to remember.

From the pits to the shoreline, the message was clear — this wasn’t just a race. It was a celebration.

And if Scott Lake proved anything, it’s that the momentum behind ERCU is only getting stronger.

The second race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Diamond Cup, set for Saturday April 18, 2026, at Scott Lake Park in Olympia. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our first event of the year.
 
Location
Scott Lake Park, 2520 Scotlac Drive SW, Olympia WA 98512
 
Contest Director
Dennis Caines
                                                                                       
Context
For a decade, the North Idaho resort town of Coeur d’Alene, had played host to “Water Racing’s Greatest Show” – the Unlimited hydroplanes – starting in 1958. The Coeur d’Alene race always attracted a large crowd of spectators. And a lot of people from Seattle could be counted upon to line the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene for the annual Diamond Cup.

In 2013, the Diamond Cup was reborn for another go with teams based in Madison, Ind.; Decatur, Ind.; Reading, Penn. and Seattle. Unfortunately, it lasted just one season. That race, over Labor Day Weekend, was won by the Indiana-based U-5 Graham Trucking which enjoyed its only perfect weekend of the season, on its way to the 2013 national championship with Jimmy Shane at the helm.
 
The ERCU Diamond Cup has been run every year but three across the 26-year history of the club. The Diamond Cup is one of the club’s “nomad” races, having been run in numerous locations from Longview to Friday Harbor and now in ERCU Diamond Cup Nomad tradition will see its fourth annual race at Scott Lake in Olympia. Rick Lentz purchased and donated perpetual trophies years ago with the Lucite at the head of the trophy engraved with an image of the original Diamond Cup that was awarded in Coeur d’Alene in its early years.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Diamond Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/diamond-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the header photo. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following at 10 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2026. PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Director: Dennis Caines
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern): Jerry Dunlap & Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic & 1/7 classic): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage & 1/7 vintage): TBA
• Drivers Representative: Nelson Holmberg
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first and second place finishers to send a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. A concession stand may be open again this year staffed and provided by the Scott Lake SLAMS Club with refreshments available for purchase. Past menu has featured hamburgers and root beer floats.

 
Race Format

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.
• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

• Classic Triple Crown Series event #1

 
Flight Schedule

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

 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed just prior to the drivers meeting. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
Starting Clock
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. 
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
Diamond Cup Defending Champions

• 1/10 Modern: David Newton, 2004 Budweiser
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: Tyler McKeon, 2010 Peters & May 
• 1/10 Classic: Tyler McKeon, 1977 Anheuser Busch Natural Light
• 1/10 Vintage: Paul Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
• 1/7 Vintage: David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai

 
Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting drivers
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period or lunch break as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. In the event that the club has perpetual trophies for a race, those will also be presented at the end of the day. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. 
 
Restrooms
There are public restroom facilities on site at Scott Lake Park and they are expected to be open.
 
Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.