 The high temperature at the ERCU Bernie Little Memorial in Longview was 96 degrees.
But the racing was even hotter. Like most races, there were one or two minor accidents, and perhaps a bruised feeling or two, but in the end, Bernie was undoubtedly smiling while watching from above. Thirty boats were prepared, tested and ready to go in the pits when the drivers meeting concluded and – in true ERCU tradition – the day started with the 1/10 scale modern class, where four boats were entered. The first heat was a good indicator of consistency for the day as all four boats finished. Just two times during the day did a single boat in the modern class fail to finish a heat. Modern heat 1 was exciting, as Nelson Holmberg’s 2024 Bucket List Racing got a fast start and took a big lead going down the back straightaway. A couple of laps in, the Bucket List blew over nearing the entrance of turn two and Paxton Reunanen’s 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream took over the lead. Bucket List landed right side up and was able to continue in second place but couldn’t chase down the U-98 before the finish. Tom Markos and his 2015 Graham Trucking U-7 was third and the 2015 Dalton Industries of David Heilbrunn was fourth. Two more heats and the winner-take-all final later and Reunanen commanded in the lead position to take the top spot on the 1/10 modern podium followed by Holmberg second and Markos in third. Holmberg’s boat which was converted from the 2023 version to the current 2024 version in time for this race, took home the Best of Scale award at the end of the day and was the highest point-earner in 1/10 modern with three seconds and a first for 1,300 points. The 1/7 scale modern/classic class saw Denise Sjostrom (1990 Oh Boy Oberto) win all three preliminary heats amassing 1,200 points before the final. Mike McIntosh with his new 2023 Beacon Plumbing got off to a slow start as he didn’t finish heat one and didn’t start heat two. Heat three saw him start to put the pieces back together coming in second to Sjostrom. In the final McIntosh passed Sjostrom to take the top spot on the podium and Sjostrom took home second place. The 1/10 classic was a close race for second and third place but nobody could catch the KISW Miss Rock as Reunanen was ahead all day in all four heats finishing with a perfect 1,600 points. Chuck Murray and Holmberg were the next closest competitors battling back and forth through the three prelims. In the end Holmberg (piloting Markos’ 1976 Atlas Van Lines) edged Murray. Mick Shutt. Robbie Roberts, Gary Dawn and Rick Evans rounded out the 1/10 classic field. The 1/10 cintage was all Reunanen all day as he drove Kerry Kjos’ 1960 Thriftway to the winning circle in all four heats and another 1,600 points. Following Reunanen in points and in the winner take all final were Roberts (1971 Hallmark Homes) and David Heilbrunn (1964 Blue Chip). John Earnest (1962 Gale V), John Howell (1966 Savair’s Mist), Shutt (1972 Miss Budweiser), Evans (1960 Thriftway Too) and Matt Hench (1964 Miss Exide) rounded out the 1/10 vintage class field. The 1/7 vintage saw the closest, most thrilling racing of this day as the bigger boats often do. Always the final class in the days rotation and they always seem to provide the best action. Mike McIntosh (1982 Island Security System), Bob Van den Akker (1962 $ Bill), Murray (1969 Vagabond), Dennis Caines (1968 Eagle Electric) and both of the Sjostroms, John and Denise each went back and forth, in and out, up and around and in the end it was Mcintosh on top, Van den in second and Caines in third. Five classes of racing were featured, and they were dominated by just two drivers on this day with Reunanen sweeping all three 1/10 scale classes and McIntosh sweeping both 1/17 scale classes. Congratulations to both and the club thanks you for providing that master class on how scale hydroplane racing is done. McIntosh & Van den Akker were shared contest director duties, too, shouldering all the responsibilities that come with that on top of quietly schooling the rest of us. ERCU will take the next two weekends off with so many members involved with and attending the H1 Unlimited events in Tri Cities and Seattle. Once the big boats have finished chewing up the Columbia River and Lake Washington. ERCU will resume on August 10 for the Seafair Trophy race at Woodland Creek Park in Lacey. The annual Roger Newton Memorial has come and gone. Once again David Newton held an exciting event to honor his father and club founder. Roger had a passion for hydros and friendship in ERCU and around hydro racing.
Twenty five drivers entered the race with 37 boats. Needless to say it was a busy day on and off the water! During a lunch break (with Jimmy Johns provided lunch) the best of scale awards were presented. Scale racing was a huge part of the hobby for Roger Newton. Congratulations to the recipients below:
Another prestigious award was presented during lunch time. Bill Mowatt made his first race of the season, but unfortunately his boat was not ready. Scoring zero points and only making a handful of laps he was presented with the Golden Throne Award. He was anxious to get it home and put it in his trophy case after the race! The racing on the water was a tough one with our largest field of the year. In the modern 1/10 class after a two-boat wreck on the front stretch on the first lap. David Newton pulled away with an easy win. Second place went to Tom Markos with the 2015 Graham Trucking (U-7) after Briana Burdsall rolled her Sutphen Spirit and didn't finish. In the modern/classic class Craig Mullen led wire to wire in his borrowed Miss US. Coming in second was hired gun Jerry Dunlap driving Mike McIntosh’s Beacon Plumbing holding off David Heilbrunn in third with his Goodman Real Estate. Attrition got the best of the classic 1/10 scale class with many boats dropping out during the day. In the final Paxton won wire to wire in his Miss Rock. Paul Dunlap gave a hard charge in the Notre Dame but just came up short to finish second. Finally rounding out in third place (with two podium finishes on the day) was Markos. Next was the vintage 1/10 scale class. It was a wild one with many lead changes, flips and wires coming unsoldered. Paxton held an early lead until he flipped and stuffed on the front stretch. Paul Dunlap then had a commanding lead until his boat stopped on the backstretch due to solder failure, which plagued him throughout the day. Paxton was able to get his boat back going again to win his first Vintage Roger Newton Memorial. Robbie Roberts held the lead for a moment until he cut a buoy to the left corner resulting in a second place finish. Third place went to Jim Latimer in the Miss Everett on furthest travel after flipping on lap three. The last heat of the day was the vintage 1/7 scale class. The first turn saw boats going through and in front of each other. Mike McIntosh rolled his boat in a roostertail and it was ruled that Craig Mullen caused the wreck and was disqualified. This gave a huge lead to Bobby V and his $ Bill. He did not look back and claimed redemption after jumping the gun in the previous year’s final heat. Second place went to Dennis Caines and his Eagle Electric, then third to John Sjostrom in his Miss Thriftway. Many thanks to all that donated their time and helped to run the race. Thank you to Offshore Electrics, Progressive RC, David Heilbrunn, Mike McIntosh and Bill Mowatt for their donations to this year's raffle.  The seventh race of the 2024 ERCU Pentair Championship Series is the Bernie Little memorial, presented by American SaniCan and is set for Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview.
Here is all you need to know to get prepared for the seventh event of the year. Location Lake Sacajawea Park Longview WA Contest Directors Mike McIntosh & Bob Van den Akker Context 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 for 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. What to Expect (All times approximate, and subject to change)
o First connie second place is alternate for the final o Second connie winner starts on the front line in first connie
Pre-Registration Pre-Registration for the Bernie Little Memorial is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/bernie-little-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 10 p.m., Friday, July 19. 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 “Bernie Little 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. Race Officials
Bernie Little Memorial Defending Champions 1/10 scale modern: Nelson Holmberg, 2023 Bucket List Racing 1/7 scale modern: Mike McIntosh 1980 Pay ‘n Pak 1/10 scale classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 KISW Miss Rock 1/7 scale classic: Rob Edwards, 1982 Gilmore Special 1/10 scale vintage: David Newton, 1960 Miss Thriftway (Owner: Kerry Kjos) 1/7 scale vintage: David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III Race Format
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.
Flight Schedule
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, first connie and Triple Crown 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 Public restrooms are available on site, at the east end of the parking lot. 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. |
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