 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).
 The 10th race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series season is the Bernie Little Memorial. Set for Saturday, Aug. 23 at Gissberg Twin Lakes Park in Marysville. Here is all you need to know to be prepared for the 10th ERCU event of our 12 race 2025 season.
Location Gissberg Twin Lakes Park 16324 Twin Lakes Ave Marysville, WA 98271 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 Atomic 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)
* First connie second place is alternate for the final * 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 near the top of the page. Pre-registration will close at 10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m. You can also find pre-registration by 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. Chief Referees * 1/10 Modern: Mike Gossler * 1/7 Modern/Classic: Jerry Dunlap * 1/10 Classic: Bob Van den Akker * 1/10 Vintage: Mike McIntosh * 1/7 Vintage: Nelson Holmberg * Drivers Representatives: Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos * Turn Judges: First and second place finishers will judge the next heat Defending Champions * 1/10 Scale Modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking * 1/10 Scale Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 KISW Miss Rock * 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Thriftway * 1/7 Scale Modern/Classic: Mike McIntosh, 2023 Beacon Plumbing * 1/7 Scale Vintage: Mike McIntosh, 1982 Island Security Race Format VINTAGE CLASSES WILL RUN A POINTS RACE: Three flights of heats, with consolations and finals. Accumulated points in 1/10 vintage and 1/7 vintage will determine the champion of the Bernie Little Memorial. ALL OTHER DIVISIONS/CLASSES WILL RUN THE LOVE PLAN: Three flights of preliminary heats, five laps each. Connies and winner-take-all finals.
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. 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. Weather Forecast The forecast for the Bernie Little Memorial is sunny skies and 77 degrees with a light breeze of 8 m.p.h. out of the west-northwest. Restrooms Public restrooms are 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 to charge your batteries if you need to charge during the day. Five divisions, 10 winners and enough spray to wash your car twice  LACEY — The ERCU Gold Cup once again proved that you don’t need full-size hulls to deliver full-throttle drama. On Saturday, the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course played host to the season’s biggest bragging-rights showdown, with five divisions dishing out spray, speed, and just enough heartbreak to keep things interesting.
A total of 50 boats were in the pits and the day got off to an early start with testing water at 7 a.m. and the drivers meeting at 8:10 a.m., rather than an hour later as normal. Because it was the Gold Cup, an extra flight of heats was added, and the number of race winners was doubled over the normal ERCU event. In 1/10 modern, The 2004 Miss Budweiser (David Newton) stayed cool — and out in front — in the final heat to pop the top on the title. The 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream (Paxton Reunanen) battled through the consolation round to gain a spot in the final but the Budweiser start was tough to beat, as Paxton settled for runner-up bragging rights. The 1997 Miss Elam Plus (Chuck Murray) cruised into third, quietly reminding everyone that consistency pays the bills. The 1/10 classic field turned into a high-speed battle of the bar taps with some classic rock in the foreground. The 1983 Miss Rock KISW (Reunanen) dialed it up to 11 in the final to snare the Gold Cup with 1,369 points, while the 1976 Olympia Beer (Murray) stayed cool enough for a second place, while the 1985 Coors Light (Jerry Dunlap) rounded out the podium, pouring in 1,325 points and more than a few frothy roostertails. Over in 1/10 vintage, the prelim scoreboard said the 1964 Savairs Mist (Murray) was untouchable — 1,500 points and not a drop out of place — but the final flipped the script. The 1965 “Gray Ghost” Tahoe Miss (Dillard) rose from a quiet prelim to storm the last heat and claim Gold Cup gold. The 1958 Miss Moses Lake (Jim Latimer) took silver, and the 1962 Gale V (John Earnest) grabbed bronze, both shaking their heads over what might have been. In 1/7 modern/classic, the 1972 Notre Dame (Scott Whitestine) didn’t just win — it put on a clinic. Three heat wins, a flawless final, and a nearly-perfect 1,900 points later, Whitestine was polishing hardware before the spray had settled. The 1982 Gilmore Special (Rob Edwards) claimed silver by keeping it steady, while the 2024 Goodman Real Estate (David Heilbrunn) closed deals all afternoon to sneak onto the podium in third. The 2023 Beacon Plumbing (Mike McIntosh) looked ready to flush the field early, but the final heat yanked the plug on that plan. Over in 1/7 vintage, the 1982 Island Security System (Reunanen) locked down the Gold Cup like Fort Knox, sweeping every heat for a spotless 2,000 points. The 1969 Probe (Terry Harmer) stayed close enough to read the leader’s transom numbers but settled for second, while the 1964 Miss U.S. 5 (McIntosh) showed that consistent finishes still buy you a ticket to the podium. TED JONES MEMORIAL The Ted Jones Memorial might be the “first consolation,” but Saturday it felt like a victory parade for five drivers who turned their shot at redemption into their moment in the spotlight. It was the first time in several years that every class had at least one consolation race, in particular at the Gold Cup. In 1/10 modern, Reunanen wheeled the 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream like a man on a mission, rebounding from earlier heartbreak to claim the checkered flag in style. Smooth driving and smart lane choices carried the red, white and blue hull to the win, getting himself into the winner-take-all final, where he finished second. The 1/10 classic race turned into a breakthrough moment for John Havens Jr., who scored his first-ever ERCU victory aboard the 1981 Spirit of the Air Force. Havens delivered a run that left him grinning from ear to ear. He later finished fourth in the ERCU Gold Cup final. In 1/10 vintage, Dillard and the 1965 Tahoe Miss proved persistence pays, shaking off a string of DNF’s earlier in the day to cruise to a comfortable win. The “Gray Ghost” looked smooth and fast in the final, a far cry from its rougher starts earlier in the regatta. Dillard claimed his fourth ERCU Gold Cup with the Tahoe Miss, winning from the trailer position. The 1/7 modern/classic field saw another first first, as Carl Lewis powered the 1975 Lincoln Thrift to his first ERCU checkered flag. With a quick start and consistent laps, Lewis never looked back, finally trading the role of “always the bridesmaid” for a spot on the winner’s list. The final wasn’t as good to Lewis, as he was unable to finish. And in 1/7 vintage, it was a storybook ending for Scott Whitestine, who earned his first ERCU win driving the 1962 Notre Dame. After a season of chasing the leaders, Whitestine found his groove when it mattered most, piloting the light blue and white classic to a decisive victory. He later won his first ERCU Gold Cup with the 1972 Notre Dame. For Havens, Lewis, and Whitestine, the Ted Jones Memorial wasn’t just a consolation — it was a coronation. For all five winners, it was proof that in ERCU racing, there’s always another chance to make waves. By the end of the day, the champions were hoisting trophies, the also-rans were plotting revenge, and the shoreline crowd was already counting the days until next year’s Gold Cup spray show. |
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