Detroit Memorial Regatta

Woodland Creek Park -- Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course
Lacey, Wash.
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
Contest Directors: ERCU Board of Directors
​Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:15 a.m.
First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m.

This was a brand new race in 2021, established in order to memorialize and celebrate ERCU members who have passed away over the years. Many thanks to Brad Lewis and David Newton for not only dreaming to create such an auspicious event, but also for their work in putting it all together. It will most certainly be a very special event, so mark your calendars now, and plan to attend.

As a club, we'll be acknowledging three members from days gone by during an extended drivers' meeting, which is to start at 9:15 a.m. There will be lots of additional action both on and off of the race course throughout the day. Stay tuned for more details.

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 Race Format

• LOVE PLAN: 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 final as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a front line starter.
• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.
  

In 2026 We Will Remember

• Bill Amick, Legendary RC boat racer - modern heats
• Chris Denslow, Passionate RC & real hydroplane fan, former RC racer and treasured hydroplane photographer - classic heats
• Mike Schultz, Long-time 1/10 scale hydroplane racer in both ERCU (2016-19) and Classic Thunder - vintage heats

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2026 race stats

2026 race results

1/10-Scale Modern Class (In Memory of Bill Amick)

1. Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream
2. David Newton, 2006 Miss Emcor
3. Mike Henricksen, 2026 Royer Miss Madison

     DNF David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries
     DNS Nelson Holmberg, 2015 Graham Trucking (U-7)

1/10-Scale Classic Class (In Memory of Chris Denslow)

1. Paul Dunlap, 1971 Country Boy (Owner: Tom Markos)
2. Jim Hagan, 1983 American Speedy Printing

     DNF David Newton, 1986 Squire Shop Britannia (Owner: Nelson Holmberg)
     DNF Nelson Holmberg, 1975 Pay 'n Pak
     DNF Mike Campbell, 1987 Eliminator
     DNS Carl Lewis, 1974 Lincoln Thrift

1/10-Scale Vintage Class (In Memory of Mike Schultz)

1. Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (Owner: Kerry Kjos)
2. David Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
3. Wayne Beason, 1967 Gale's Roostertail
4. Mick Shutt, 1972 Miss Budweiser

     DNF Paul Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
     DNF Marc Connelly, 1969 Notre Dame

1/7-Scale Modern (In Memory of Bill Amick)

1. Paxton Reunanen, 2023 Beacon Plumbing
2. John Havens Jr., 1991 American Spirit

​1/7-Scale Classic Class (In Memory of Chris Denslow)

1. Mike Gossler, 1977 Squire Shop
2. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame
3. Chuck Murray, 1977 Natural Light

     DNF Mike McIntosh, 1973 Red Man
     DNF Nelson Holmberg, 1974 Lincoln Thrift (Owner: Carl Lewis)
     DNF Carl Lewis, 1976 Miss Vernors

1/7-Scale Vintage Class (In Memory of Mike Schultz)

1. Paxton Reunanen, 1969 Pay 'n Pak Outrigger
2. Joey Caines, 1970 Pay 'n Pak (Hemi)
3. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame
4. David Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
5. Bob Van den Akker, 1959 Miss Seattle Too

     DNF Paul Dunlap, 1967 Miss Budweiser

^ - Started final heat as trailer

detroit memorial regatta all-time results

1/10 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2021 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2022 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2024 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2025 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2026 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.

1/10 Scale Classic Race Results
2021 – 1979 The Squire Shop. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2022 – 1983 Miss Houston. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Chuck Murray. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 1973 Red Man Too. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Owner: Rick Evans. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2024 – 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2025 – 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2026 – 1971 Country Boy. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Owner: Tom Markos. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.

1/10 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2021 – 2015 Dalton Industries. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Owner: Rick Evans. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2022 – 1991 Winston Eagle. Owner/Driver: Mike Hughes. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 2003 Miss Budweiser. Owner/Driver: David Newton.
2024 – 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey
2025 – 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey
2026 – 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey

1/7 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2021 – 1976 Vagabond. Driver: Craig Mullen. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2022 – 1969 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2024 – 1976 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2025 – 1966 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mark Manchester. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2026 – 1969 Pay 'n Pak Outrigger. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey

1/7 Scale Classic Class Race Winners
2021 – 1972 Notre Dame. Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Owner: Gary Hansen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2022 – 1970 Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 1974 Lincoln Thrift. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Ron Hartley. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2024 – 1976 Olympia Beer. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2025 – 1974 Lincoln Thrift. Owner/Driver: Carl Lewis. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey, Wash.
2026 – 1977 Squire. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey

1/7 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2022 – 2021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2023 – 2021 Goodman Real Estate. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
2026 – 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, Lacey