Bernie Little Memorial

Gissberg Twin Lakes Park -- North Lake
Marysville, Wash.
Date Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025
Contest Director Bob Van den Akker & Mike McIntosh
​Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:15 a.m.
First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m.
Bernie Little (1926-2003) was the most successful owner in unlimited hydroplane racing history. His Miss Budweiser team won 134 of the 354 races it entered. Miss Budweiser won the high points championship 22 years in 40 years of competition, and the APBA Gold Cup 14 times.

His first victory came on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities in 1966 at the Columbia Cup. Little's team is also known for making an enclosed driver's cockpit to improve driver safety. Little has been inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.

Bernie supported RC hydroplane racing across the country for many years, and even sponsored R/C Unlimited fo a few years. His significant contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. Due to shortening the ERCU racing schedule to 10 races in 2019, the Bernie Little Memorial was put on hiatus and brought back for the 2023 racing season.
Race Format
  • Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes
  • First and second connies for both 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 #3

2024 race stats

2024 Race Results

1/10 Scale Modern Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream
  2. Nelson Holmberg, 2024 Bucket List Racing
  3. Tom Markos, 2015 Graham Trucking
     DNF David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries


1/10 Scale Classic Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
  2. Nelson Holmberg, 1976 Atlas Van Lines (Owner: Tom Markos)
  3. Chuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer
  4. Mick Shutt, 1978 Miss Circus Circus

1/10 Scale Vintage Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (Owner: Kerry Kjos)
  2. Robbie Roberts, 1970 Hallmark Homes
  3. David Heilbrunn, 1964 Blue Chip
  4. John Earnest, 1962 Gale V
  5. Mick Shutt, 1972 Miss Budweiser
     DNF John Howell, 1966 Savair's Mist
     DNF Rick Evans, 1960 Thriftway Too ^
1/7 Scale Modern/Classic Class
  1. Mike McIntosh, 2023 Beacon Plumbing
  2. Denise Sjostrom, 1990 Oh Boy! Oberto
     SCR Paxton Reunanen, 1970 Pay 'n Pak

1/7 Scale Vintage Class
  1. Mike McIntosh, 1982 Island Security Systems
  2. Bob van den Akker, 1962 $ Bill
  3. Dennis Caines, 1968 Eagle Electric
  4. Denise Sjostrom, 1980 Evergreen Roofing
     DNF Chuck Murray, 1976 Vagabond
     DNF John Sjostrom, 1960 Miss Thriftway ^

^ – Trailer boat

bernie little memorial all-time results

1/10 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2004 – 1957 Maverick. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2005 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2006 –1968 Miss Bardahl. Owner: Roger Newton. Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2007 – 1969 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2008 – 1972 Miss Timex. Owner/Driver: Jason Hartley. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
2009 – 1972 Miss Timex. Owner/Driver: Jason Hartley. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2010 – 1972 Miss Van's PX. Owner/Driver: Mark Hansen. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2011 – 1957 Hawaii Kai III. Owner: Ben Keller. Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Lake Tye Park, Monroe
2012 –1960 Miss Burien. Owner/Driver: Robbie Roberts. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2013 – 1971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2014 – 1961 Thunderbolt. Owner/Driver: Steve Dumanis. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
2015 – 1971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Alice Joy, Snohomish
2016 – 1971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Waughop, Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
2017 – No race
2018 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner/Driver: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Waughop, Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
2023 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2024 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview

1/10 Scale Classic Class Race Winners
2023 – 1983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2024 – 1983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Marysville

1/10 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2004 – 1974 Country Boy. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2005 – 1970 Pride of Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2006 – 1974 Country Boy. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2007 – 1972 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mark Hansen. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2008 – 1978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
2009 – 1978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2010 – 1978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2011 – 1978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Lake Tye Park, Monroe
2012 – 2010 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Craig Bradshaw. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2013 – 2013 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2014 – 2011 Valken. Owner/Driver: JimmeJames Cusworth. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
2015 – 1999 Miss Madison. Owner: Ron Forister. Driver: Walter Roberts. Location: Lake Alice Joy, Snohomish
2016 – 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Brad Lewis. Location: Lake Waughop. Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
2017 – No race
2018 – 2011 Valken. Owner/Driver: JimmeJames Cusworth Location: Lake Waughop. Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
2023 – 2023 Bucket List Racing Team. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2024 – 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview

1/7 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2023 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2024 – 1982 Island Security Systems. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview

1/7 Scale Classic Class Race Winners
2023 – 1982 Gilmore Special. Owner/Driver: Rob Edwards. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville

1/7 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2023 – 1980 Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
2024 – 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
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