Diamond Cup

Scott Lake Park
Olympia, Wash.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Contest Directors: Dennis Caines
​Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:15 a.m.
First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m.

​Click here to read the Race Circular
For a decade, the North Idaho resort town of Couer d’Alene, played host to “Water Racing’s Greatest Show”--the Unlimited hydroplanes – starting in 1958.
 
The Couer 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 Couer d’Alene for the annual Diamond Cup.
 
In the 1950s and early ‘60s, Unlimited racing was a distinctly regional sport. Unlike today, West Coast teams attended mainly western races, while East Coast teams patronized mainly eastern races. There were very few crossovers.
 
When it comes to ERCU, the Diamond Cup has been run every year but three across the 22 year history of ERCU. The Diamond Cup is one of the club’s “nomad” races, having been run in numerous locations from Longview to Friday Harbor. 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 Couer d’Alene in its early years.
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 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.
  • Finals for vintage, classic and modern.
  • Classic Triple Crown Series event #1

2026 race stats

2026 race results

1/10 Scale Race Results
Modern Class
  1. Nelson Holmberg, 2023 Flav-R-Pac
  2. David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries
     DNS Paxton Reunanen, 2015 Albert Lee

Classic Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
  2. John Havens Jr., 1976 Olympia Beer (backup)
  3. Paul Dunlap, 1971 Country Boy (Owner: Tom Markos)
  4. Nelson Holmberg, 1982 Squire Shop Brittania
     DNF Carl Lewis, 1974 Miss U.S. ^
     DNF Chuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer

Vintage Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (Owner: Kerry Kjos)
  2. David Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
  3. Wayne Beeson, 1967 Gale's Roostertail
     DNF Marc Connelly, 1969 Notre Dame
     DNF Paul Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
     SCR Jay Fonville, 1965 Tahoe Miss

Classic Triple Crown
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW, 1,600
  2. Nelson Holmberg, 1986 Squire Shop Brittania, 1,269
  3. John Havens Jr., 1976 Olympia Beer (backup), 1,225
  4. Chuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer, 1,200
  5. Paul Dunlap, 1971 Country Boy, 1,050 (Owner: Tom Markos)
  6. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark 'n Pak, 863
  7. Jay Fonville, 1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther, 769
  8. Rich Matkin, 1979 Squire Shop, 675
  9. Nelson Holmberg, 1975 Pay 'n Pak, 300
  10. Carl Lewis, 1974 Miss U.S., 225
  11. Jim Hagan, 1983 American Speedy Printing, 0
  12. Jerry Dunlap, 1985 Coor's Light, 0
1/7 Scale Race Results
Modern Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 2023 Beacon Plumbing
  2. David Heilbrunn, 2023 Goodman Real Estate
     DNF David Newton, 1989 Winston Eagle (lobster)

Classic Class
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1977 Natural Light
  2. Mike Gossler, 1977 Squire
  3. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame ^
  4. Jim McKeon, 1980 Miss Budweiser (backup)
  5. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark 'n Pak
  6. John Havens Jr., 1976 Miss Budweiser (backup)
     DNF Carl Lewis, 1976 Miss Vernor's

Vintage Class
  1. David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III
  2. Scott Whitestine, 1962 Notre Dame
  3. Bob Van den Akker, 1962 Miss Seattle Too
  4. Paul Dunlap, 1967 Miss Budweiser ^
  5. Joey Caines, 1970 Pay 'n Pak Lil' Buzzard
  6. Jim McKeon, 1957 Maverick

Classic Triple Crown
  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1977 Natural Light, 1,200
  2. Mike Gossler, 1977 Squire, 1,100
  3. Carl Lewis, 1974 Lincoln Thrift, 1,000
  4. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark & Pak, 977
  5. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame, 920
  6. Jim McKeon, 1980 Miss Budweiser (backup), 919
  7. Carl Lewis, 1976 Miss Vernor's, 800
  8. John Havens Jr., 1976 Miss Budweiser (backup), 733
  9. Dennis Caines, 1975 Pay 'n Pak, 600
  10. Rob Edwards, 1982 Gilmore Special, 600
  11. Craig Mullen, 1972 Pay 'n Pak, 469

diamond cup all-time results

1/10 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2003 – 1957 Maverick. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Waughop, Lakewood
2004 – 1966 My Gypsy. Owner/Driver: David Lilly. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2005 – 1956 Slo-Mo-Shun IV. Owner: Monte Steere. Driver: Nigel Steere. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
2006 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Jesse Robertson. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
2007 – 1969 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
2008 – No Race
2009 – 1969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak Hooktail. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Beaverton Valley Pond, Friday Harbor
2010 – 1960 Miss Everett. Owner/Driver: Gary Simmons. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond, Friday Harbor
2011 – 1969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak Outrigger. Owner: Jeff Campbell. Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond (2), Friday Harbor
2012 – No Race
2013 – 1958 Coral Reef. Owner/Driver: Craig Bradshaw. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
2014 – 1962 Gale V. Owner/Driver: John Earnest. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
2015 – 1971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2016 – No race
2017 – 1962 $ Bill. Owner/Driver: Geoffry Grembowski. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2018 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner/Driver: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2019 – 1970 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2020 – 1975 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
2021 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2022 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2023 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2024 – 1964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2025 – 1964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 1960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
 
1/10 Scale Classic Class Race Winners
2020 – 1974 Miss U.S. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
2021 – 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto Owner/Driver: Brad Lewis. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2022 – 1984 Executone. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2023 – 1986 Boat. Owner/Driver: Jerry Dunlap. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2024 – 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2025 – 1977 Anhueser Busch Natural Light. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 1983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

1/10 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2003 – No race for modern class
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 – 1970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
2007 – 1994 T-Plus. Owner/Driver: Nigel Steere. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
2008 – No Race
2009 – 1974 Country Boy. Owner: Mike Campbell. Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Beaverton Valley Pond, Friday Harbor
2010 – 1982 Executone. Owner: Mike Campbell. Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond, Friday Harbor
2011 – 1986 Boat. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond (2), Friday Harbor
2012 – No Race
2013 – 2012 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
2014 – 2012 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
2015 – 2011 Valken. Owner/Driver: Jimmejames Cusworth. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2016 – No race
2017 – 2014 Spirit of Qatar. Owner/Driver: Len Taylor. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2018 – 2015 Dalton Industries. Owner/Driver: Rick Evans. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2019 – 2018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2020 – 2018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
2021 – 2015 Dalton Industries. Owner: Rick Evans. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2022 – 2018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2023 – 2003 Miss Budweiser. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2024 – 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2025 – 2004 Miss Budweiser. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 2023 Flav-R-Pac. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

1/7 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners
2021 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner: Ben Keller. Drivers: Craig Mullen & Brian Buass. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2022 – 1969 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2023 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owners: David Newton/Ben Keller. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2024 – 1983 Island Security Systems. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2025 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 1958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

1/7 Scale Classic Class Race Winners
2023 – 1975 Pay 'n Pak. Owner: Craig Mullen. Driver: Bill Mowatt. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2024 – 1974 Miss U.S. Owner: Denise Sjostrom. Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 1977 Natural Light. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

1/7 Scale Modern Class Race Winners
2021 – 1972 Notre Dame. Owner: Gary Hansen. Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2022 – 2021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
2023 – No race due to boat count
2024 – 2023 Goodman Real Estate. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2025 – 2010 Miss Peters & May. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
2026 – 2023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

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