 The first ERCU Winter Meeting of the 2025-26 season is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., via Zoom.
The idea of Winter Meetings is to bring together members of the club for fellowship and keeping in touch during the offseason, while also conducting a quick board meeting. If you’re available to jump on Zoom and join in on the fun Wednesday evening, we’d love to have you. Click here to join the meeting. The Zoom link, meeting ID and password are below in case the link doesn't work for you. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83797939825?pwd=NCAFxmMQzZEnfwvdIe1jCZXIhZeqve.1 Meeting ID: 837 9793 9825 Passcode: 007970 Click here for the meeting agenda. Like most years, we’ll plan to have Winter Meetings on a monthly basis, so members can stay updated on what’s going on, and keep in touch with one another. We'll also participate in the annual Roger Newton Memorial RC Boat Show at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in February. More information about that event coming soon, as well. Hope to see you on Saturday morning!  ERCU recently celebrated another incredible season of competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie on the water. From exhilarating victories to the lessons we learned from each race, it’s been a season to remember.
With the opening comments, racers, crews, contest directors, officials, friends and supporters and especially spouses and partners at home who made this season possible were appreciated. A state of the club update was also shared, highlighting the following:
John & Dianne Earnest were the featured speakers and they shared loads of great memories and experiences from being founding members of both Radio Controlled Unlimiteds (RCU) and ERCU, as well as John's passionate interest in unlimited hydroplane racing from his childhood forward. Click here to see the slideshow of the Earnests' history in model boat racing. Click here to see video of John Earnest's ride in the 1973 Pay 'n Pak (Winged Wonder) Click here to see video of John Earnest's ride in the Miss Bardahl (Green Dragon) Once the Earnests were do, it was time to give out the hardware. The club board shared thanks for all the members who took the time to share their nominations for these awards. The club’s bylaws say that the board should decide the award winners itself, but opening nominations to the entire membership assures that deserving members are at least recognized, even if they aren’t the award winner. So thank you to those who nominated, and congratulations to the nominees. This is a true recognition from our peers. Award winners for 2025 are: 1/10 Scale Rookie of the Year Those nominated were:
And the winner is: Dray Newton. At the first couple of races in 2025, Dray was getting help from his dad with the throttle, and by the end of the year, Dray was consistently gaining on the competition driving his boats on his own. Dray drove in nine races this year and finished 5th in vintage season points (6,925) and 6th in classic season points (5,000). Congratulations Dray! 1/7 Scale Rookie of the Year Those nominated were:
And the winner is: John Havens Jr. John won both the boat and driver championships in 1/7 classic/modern. Finished fifth in 1/7 vintage driver points. Congratulations John! Sportsmanship Award Those nominated were:
And the winner is: Paul Dunlap. It's doubtful that there’s anyone who would dispute this award – in fact, there may even be some who believe the award should be named after this guy. Paul is always working hard for the club, operating the chase boat, helping with officiating and scoring, being a top notch racer with great sportsmanship. And best – he’s always smiling. Thank you Paul and congratulations. Most Improved Driver Those nominated were:
And the winner is: John Sjostrom. This year’s winner, John, made big improvements during the 2025 season, not just on the water but also off the water. Today, we celebrate John for his great 2025 season and we look forward to another great season with John in 2026. Keep it up! Congratulations. Contest Director of the Year Those nominated were:
And the Contest Director of the Year is: Dennis Caines. Dennis doesn’t just put on a race at Scott Lake. He coordinates a community festival. What Dennis does with the Diamond Cup for ERCU and for his neighbors goes above and beyond, and we appreciate Dennis’ efforts. Sponsor of the Year Those nominated were:
And the winner is: Chuck Murray. For the third consecutive year, Chuck proved just how important RC hydroplane racing, and ERCU is to him by putting his money where his mouth is. In 2023, he stepped up with a $1,000 cash contribution to the club as a sponsorship. In 2024, he pledged to do the same, and after the fire that destroyed many of his belongings and was costly to him personally, he still managed to find a way to make another cash contribution to the club, in this case helping to offset some of the club’s costs for this End of Season Celebration. This year, Chuck not only paid 100% of the pledged $1,000 sponsorship, but he also shared another $350 with the club to help offset some of the costs of this event. Many thanks to you Chuck! Congratulations on your Sponsor of the Year award. Bill Mowatt Outstanding Contribution Award This award, which was given its formal name in 2024 in forever recognition of the amazing contributions Bill Mowatt made to the club, and the pride he had in being a member of the club. Those nominated were:
And the winners are: Patty McKeon & David Heilbrunn. We all have seen just how hard David grinds during a race day and the way he puts the club ahead of his own racing most of the time and still manages to stay competitive with the rest of the field. But he also busts his butt off the race course, keeping things going for the club. Patty has been the brains behind the brawn as Jim McKeon has served as treasurer and registrar for the last two years. Patty has provided security and stability in our financial reporting, and her hard work has been deeply appreciated. Thank you to both Patty and David for all of your hard work! ERCU Hall of Fame Our final award is a big one. The ERCU Hall of Fame has a long list of big names in the sport, of people who’ve lived and died for ERCU, and people who have accomplished strong success on the water, as well. Again, this is an honor that could have gone to as many as three or four individuals this year, but the club’s precedent has been to award induction to just one person per year. Some who were nominated are already in the Hall of Fame, so they weren’t as strongly considered as those who are not in. The nominees for induction into the ERCU Hall of Fame in 2025 are:
And this year, for the first time in the history of the club, ERCU is proud to induct more than one member into its Hall of Fame. Paul Dunlap, Mike McIntosh, Craig Mullen, Bob Van den Akker are this year’s inductees!  With the end of another season, it’s time to crown and celebrate our 2025 season champions.
In 2025, we had new champs in 1/10 vintage boat, 1/7 classic/modern boat, 1/7 vintage driver and 1/7 classic/modern driver. It’s probably not much of a surprise to most, but Paxton Reunanen kind of ran the table for season championships in 2025. Reunanen took all three drivers championships in 1/10 scale. John Havens Jr. swept the 1/7 scale classic/modern honors winning the boat championship with his 1976 Miss Budweiser (U-95) and the drivers championship in the same class. Bob Van den Akker was the model of consistency through the season, running two different 1/7 vintage boats and scoring enough points to take the crown in 1/7 scale vintage.  The ERCU Bylaws say that the Board Chair shall poll members of the board at the end of the year to decide who our annual End of Season Award winners are. This year, the board has decided it would like input from the membership for the 2025 ERCU End of Season Awards.
As such, at the end of the season, are asking you to provide nominations in the following categories. From those nominations, the board will fulfill its duty to select award winners. The annual awards that we’re seeking your input on include:
Please click here to easily nominate fellow members (or yourself) for consideration of these annual ERCU End of Season Awards. You may enter as many names as you would like to enter. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 when we’ll close nominations and the board will then make selections from those nominated.  ELMA — The 2025 ERCU Championship Series went out with a roar — and a little concrete dust — as the Atomic Cup at Vance Creek Park delivered a season finale packed with drama, speed, and some tough-luck DNFs.
But it was the Dunlap Duo who stole the show. First, Jerry Dunlap best handled the rough water and windy conditions to win his Atomic Cup, then Paul Dunlap followed it up by winning his Keep reading for more details. In 1/10 modern, David Newton saved his best for last, piloting the 2025 Goodman Real Estate to a wire-to-wire victory and securing the Atomic Cup in style. Nelson Holmberg kept the pressure on with his 2024 Flav-R-Pac but had to settle for second, while David Heilbrunn’s Dalton Industries suffered a mechanical issue and posted a DNF. The carnage wasn’t limited to the final heat — Chuck Murray’s Elam Plus and Tom Markos’ Graham Trucking were forced to scratch after earlier-race damage. The 1/7 modern/classic final was equal parts fireworks and finesse. Craig Mullen drove the 1972 Pay ’n Pak like it was on rails, cruising to the win. John Sjostrom’s 1974 Miss U.S. held off John Havens Jr.’s 1976 Miss Budweiser (U-95) for second. The heat had its share of heartbreak — Gale Whitestine clipped the concrete wall exiting turn one in the 1975 Weisfields and Rob Edwards’ Gilmore Special went up in smoke, both recording DNFs. Jerry Dunlap turned back the clock in 1/10 classic, taking the 1985 Coor’s Light to victory lane ahead of Holmberg’s 1976 Atlas Van Lines. Dray Newton’s 1986 Squire Shop rounded out the podium. Chuck Murray’s Olympia Beer and Gary Dawn’s Gilmore Special fell victim to gremlins, while Carl Lewis’ Miss U.S. never made it off the trailer. The 1/10 vintage final was all Paul Dunlap, who drove the 1964 Miss Exide to a commanding win. Jim Latimer’s 1958 Miss Moses Lake and Mick Shutt’s 1972 Miss Budweiser filled out the top three. Three drivers — Holmberg, Murray, and Dray Newton — didn’t finish, each leaving points (and maybe a little paint) on the course. And in a barnburner 1/7 vintage showdown, Scott Whitestine’s 1962 Notre Dame claimed top honors, outpacing John Sjostrom’s 1960 Miss Thriftway. Havens Jr. took third with his 1962 Miss U.S. 1, while Bob Van den Akker thrilled the crowd by clawing his way from the trailer position to fourth. Mark Manchester’s Notre Dame and Rob Edwards’ Pride of Pay ’n Pak both exited early with DNFs. With the spray finally settled, the Atomic Cup cemented its place as a fitting finale to an action-packed 2025 season — one that saw comebacks, crashes, and champions crowned.  The final race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series is the Atomic Cup, presented by Skidfin Consulting and Hobby Chef Racing, set for Saturday Sept. 20, 2025, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is all you need to know to get prepared for the upcoming race.
Location Vance Creek Park, 76 Wenzel Slough Road, Elma, WA 98563 Context The Columbia River cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland first climbed on the Unlimited bandwagon in 1966 with the first annual Tri-Cities Atomic Cup. There had been talk of inviting the unlimiteds there as early as 1958. But 1966 was when it finally happened. Bill Brow was the winner that first year, driving Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser. The race remained named the Atomic Cup until 1976 when it was renamed the Columbia Cup. In 2006, when the race lost its title sponsorship from Budweiser, the event was run as the Atomic Cup once again, but with the arrival of Lamb Weston as title sponsor in 2007, it returned to being the Columbia Cup. ERCU last raced in Elma in 2023 and before that, 2012 and 2013. Registration Pre-Registration for the Atomic Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/atomic-cup.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the photo at the top of the page. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., FRIDAY, Sept. 19, 2025. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m. Race Officials
What to Expect (All times approximate, and subject to change)
Race Format
Flight Schedule
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 9:30 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. Special Awards The Atomic Cup will feature two special awards, created by David Newton specially for the final event of the season. The Plutonium Performance Award will be given to the racer with the most powerful, untouchable run of the day. The Meltdown Award will go to the racer with the hardest luck of the day. Courtesy of Skidfin Consulting, all podium finishers in the days final heats will be given take home photo plaques created featuring the art from past actual Atomic Cups in the Tri-Cities with mini nuclear cooling towers on them. 2024 Atomic Cup Champions
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, winners. 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 will be portable toilets available on site. 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.  Lewis scores first ERCU title while Paxton Reunanen dominates three classes in Lacey
LACEY, Wash. — The fifth annual ERCU Detroit Memorial Regatta had a little of everything Sunday — sunshine, rain, flips, rookies, veterans and even a clean sweep. Twenty-seven drivers hauled 42 boats to the Bill Mowatt Memorial race course, chasing titles across five classes in front of a spirited crowd. By day’s end, one rookie was a champion, one veteran couldn’t stop winning and a few others were left shaking their heads. As usual, the 1/10 modern class fired things up first, and as usual, nobody could touch Paxton Reunanen. His 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream turned the course into his own personal playground, posting a perfect 1,600-point day. Chuck Murray grabbed third, while Ron Daum’s Llumar Window Films settled for third. The day’s biggest surprise came in 1/7 modern and classic combined, where rookie Carl Lewis turned in the performance of his young career. After a modest preliminary round, Lewis won the consolation heat just to sneak into the final. Slotted as a trailer boat, he got a last-minute promotion to the front line when Jim McKeon’s Budweiser scratched — and he never looked back. Five laps later, Lewis was a first-time ERCU champion, edging Mike Gossler’s Squire Shop and Scott Whitestine's Notre Dame. That win also tightened an already heated Rookie of the Year battle between Lewis and Havens, setting up a can’t-miss showdown at the season finale in Elma. Reunanen wasn’t done yet. He went on to sweep 1/10 classic and 1/10 vintage, giving him a clean 3-for-3 day at the Detroit Memorial. His victory in the vintage class, driving Kerry Kjos’ iconic 1960 Miss Thriftway, marked the boat’s fifth consecutive Detroit Memorial triumph. The 1/7 vintage class wrapped up the action with the biggest field of the day. Joey Caines and his 1979 Pay ’n Pak Lil Buzzard looked unstoppable through prelims, but the final heat had other ideas. Reunanen flipped early, Caines faltered, and Mark Manchester powered his 1966 Notre Dame to a runaway win — his second title of the season. Paul Dunlap, driving Mike McIntosh’s Miss U.S. 5, finished second, with Havens Jr. rounding out the podium. With just one stop left on the 2025 ERCU calendar, the season wraps in two weeks at Elma, and plenty is still on the line — from rookie bragging rights to the final dash for championship points.  The 11th race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series is the Detroit Memorial Regatta, set for Saturday Sept. 6, 2025, at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course in Lacey. Here is all you need to know to get prepared for the upcoming race.
Location Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course at Woodland Creek Park 6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503 Context 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 has become a tradition, and a very special event, so you won’t want to miss it. As a club, we'll be acknowledging three members from days gone by – Don Mock, Doug Brow and Gary Rose – during an extended drivers' meeting, which is to start at 9:05 a.m. There will be lots of additional action both on and off the race course throughout the day. There will also bring a 50/50 raffle (so bring cash) and some great prizes to give away – including three $50 gift certificates and one $25 gift certificate from Rattlesnake RC, and a Team Porter Racing Graham Trucking crew jersey from the 2016 Gold Cup-winning season. Registration Pre-Registration for the Detroit Memorial Regatta is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/detroit-memorial-regatta.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the photo at the top of the page. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following the PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., FRIDAY, Sept. 5, 2025. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m. Race Officials
What to Expect (All times approximate, and subject to change)
Race Format
Flight Schedule
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 9:30 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. 2024 Detroit Memorial Regatta Champions
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, winners. 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 Woodland Creek Park. 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.  Dennis Caines photo MARYSVILLE — The 2025 ERCU Bernie Little Memorial at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park felt more like a festival than a model hydroplane regatta, with racers walking away not just with points but also with T-shirts, books, gift cards and other prize drawings.
Add in a full day of fierce on-water battles among 44 boats and 24 drivers, and the event lived up to its namesake’s flair for showmanship. Presented by ERCU’s 2024 Contest Directors of the Year, Mike McIntosh and Bob Van den Akker, the regatta blended camaraderie and competition in the club’s best tradition. When the spray settled, familiar names again found their way to the podiums — though not without a few dramatic twists. Reunanen’s winning ways Season points leader Paxton Reunanen kept his roll going in the 1/10 modern class, steering his way past a tough final field that included California visitor Mike Dunn and Idahoan Mike Henricksen. Reunanen outdueled Bucket List Racing representatives Tyler McKeon and Nelson Holmberg for the win, a result that has become his calling card in 2025. The 1/10 classic division turned into a Reunanen showcase as well. Piloting the 1985 Miss Rock KISW, he posted a perfect 1,600-point day to top Chuck Murray’s Olympia Beer and Holmberg’s Atlas Van Lines. Not to be outdone, he also went four-for-four in the 1/7 vintage class with the 1982 Island Security, earning another flawless 1,600-point score. Big air, big drama The day’s biggest jaw-dropper came in 1/7 modern/classic. Making his long-awaited season debut and return to ERCU, Mike Gossler debuted a pristine new 1977 Squire Shop hull and immediately impressed — until a spectacular blowover down the backstretch in round two. The boat caught air in what some called the highest launch in ERCU memory before splashing back to earth. Gossler bounced back later, but in the final it was McKeon who took advantage, pushing his Peters & May past Rob Edwards’ Gilmore Special and John Havens Jr.’s Budweiser. Vintage surprise In the 1/10 vintage class, substitute driver Jerry Dunlap provided the day’s Cinderella story. Filling in behind the wheel of Paul Dunlap’s 1964 Exide, Jerry methodically piled up points before stealing the final with five smooth, error-free laps. His victory in the heat helped clinch the overall title on points, edging Reunanen’s Gale’s Roostertail and David Heilbrunn’s Blue Chip. Next up With perfect scores, spectacular crashes and even a "belated 21st birthday" podium for Joey Caines in the 1/7 vintage division, the Bernie Little Memorial again delivered thrills worthy of its legendary namesake. ERCU’s traveling fleet next returns to the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course in Lacey for the Detroit Memorial Regatta on September 6. Pre-registration is already open (click here).
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