 ELMA — The checkered flag has fallen on another season of Electric Radio Controlled Unlimiteds racing.
The Atomic Cup at Vance Creek Park brought the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series to its conclusion Saturday, giving ERCU drivers one final opportunity to put their boats on the podium — and several drivers took full advantage of it. From the roar of the modern unlimiteds to the history represented by the vintage classes, the Atomic Cup delivered a fitting finale to a season built around fast boats, close competition and the passion that continues to drive ERCU racing. Six classes competed for Atomic Cup honors, with drivers representing modern, classic and vintage unlimiteds in both 1/10- and 1/7-scale competition. Heilbrunn Takes 1/10 Modern David Heilbrunn and the 2015 Dalton Industries came away with the 1/10 modern championship after overcoming a difficult preliminary round. Heilbrunn opened the event with a heat victory, but DNFs in the second and third preliminary heats left him with 400 points heading into the final. That made the final heat particularly important — and Heilbrunn delivered. He crossed the finish first, adding another 400 points and bringing his total to 800. Nelson Holmberg finished second in the class with the 2022 Miss Homestreet. Holmberg had been one of the most consistent drivers in the preliminary heats, winning two and finishing second in the other before taking second in the final. The result gave Holmberg 1,400 points in the event, but the final-heat finish put Heilbrunn on top of the Atomic Cup podium. Dunlap Rules 1/10 Classic Paul Dunlap put together one of the strongest performances of the weekend in the 1/10 classic class. Driving the 1971 Country Boy, Dunlap won two preliminary heats and finished second in the third. He then followed that performance with another heat victory in the final. Dunlap finished with 1,500 points to claim the Atomic Cup title. Chuck Murray and the 1976 Olympia Beer finished second with 1,100 points, while Nelson Holmberg placed third with the 1975 Pay 'n Pak (with Scott Whitestine driving in the final) also finishing with 1,100 points in the event standings. The final heat proved to be the difference between the drivers, with Murray taking second and Holmberg recording a DNF. Fonville Wins 1/10 Vintage Jay Fonville added another Atomic Cup victory to his weekend by taking the 1/10 vintage title with the 1962 Supertest II. Fonville won two of his three preliminary heats, finishing fourth in the other, before coming through with a victory in the final. Marc Connelly and the 1969 Notre Dame finished second, while Wayne Beeson took third with the 1967 Gale’s Roostertail. The vintage field once again demonstrated one of ERCU’s defining characteristics: boats spanning decades of unlimited hydroplane history competing side-by-side on the same race course. Whitestine Sweeps 1/7 Classic and Vintage Scott Whitestine had a particularly memorable Atomic Cup, winning both the 1/7 classic and 1/7 vintage divisions. In 1/7 classic, Whitestine piloted the 1972 Notre Dame to two preliminary heat victories and a third-place finish before winning the final. His 1,425 points were enough for the class championship. Dennis Caines finished second with the 1975 Pay ’n Pak, while Wayne Beeson placed third in the 1978 Mark & Pak. Whitestine was even more dominant in 1/7 vintage. Driving the 1962 Notre Dame, he swept all three preliminary heats before winning the final as well. His perfect preliminary record carried him to 1,600 points and the Atomic Cup championship. The battle for second was particularly close. Dennis Caines and the 1968 Eagle Electric finished second in the final, while John Havens Jr. and the 1962 Miss U.S.finished third. Both drivers finished the event with 919 points. Havens Claims 1/7 Modern The 1/7 modern class featured a single entry, John Havens Jr. and the 1991 American Spirit. Havens put together three preliminary heats, finishing second, second and third to accumulate 825 points. Although the American Spirit was unable to start the final, Havens' preliminary performance secured the class result. A Fitting Finish to the 2026 Season The Atomic Cup wasn't simply another race on the ERCU calendar. It was the final chapter of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series, bringing drivers, boats and fans together one last time for the season. Across the six classes, the event showcased the range of ERCU racing — from modern unlimiteds built to represent today's hydroplane designs to classic and vintage boats that preserve the history and character of the sport. And once again, the racing demonstrated that a successful day on the water requires more than a fast boat. It takes preparation. It takes teamwork. It takes persistence when a heat doesn't go according to plan. And, above all, it takes a passion for unlimited hydroplane racing. The Atomic Cup provided plenty of all four. With the 2026 championship season now complete, ERCU turns its attention toward the offseason — and the boats, drivers and teams that will return to the water looking for another championship in 2027.  Per the ERCU Bylaws, the Board Chair polls the board at year's end to crown our annual End of Season Award winners. This year, the board wants to hear from YOU first — the people who actually raced, wrenched, sponsored, and showed up all season long.
So here's your chance to put someone (maybe even yourself — no shame in that game) in the spotlight they deserve. From your nominations, the board will do its official duty and pick the winners. Here's what's up for grabs:
Click here to submit your nominations — it takes two minutes, and you can nominate as many people (and in as many categories) as you like. ⏰ Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 — after that, the board takes over and picks the winners. Don't let your favorite teammate, sponsor, or comeback story go unrecognized. Nominate now!  LACEY, Wash. -- The Detroit Memorial Regatta has a new tradition, and at this point, it is starting to look awfully familiar.
For the sixth consecutive year, Kerry Kjos and the 1960 Miss Thriftway found their way to the top of the 1/10 vintage class at the Detroit Memorial, continuing a remarkable streak that has made the boat synonymous with this race. And there is an even bigger piece of history attached to that streak: The 1960 Miss Thriftway remains the only 1/10 vintage boat ever to win the Detroit Memorial, no matter who the driver. Six years. Six victories. One very special boat. That was the headline act Saturday at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey, where ERCU racers gathered for the 2026 Detroit Memorial Regatta — an event created to remember members and friends who helped build the club and the sport of electric radio-controlled unlimited hydroplane racing. But Kjos wasn't the only driver making noise. When the final heats were over, six class champions had been crowned, with some familiar names finding the winner's circle and others producing the kind of final-heat drama that makes ERCU racing so much fun. Kjos Does It Again The 1/10 vintage final belonged to the Miss Thriftway. Driven by Paxton Reunanen and owned by Kjos, the 1960 Miss Thriftway entered the final after sweeping its three preliminary heats. The boat then completed the job in the championship heat, taking the checkered flag and adding another Detroit Memorial trophy to its collection. David Heilbrunn and the 1965 Blue Chip finished second, while Wayne Beeson drove the 1967 Gale's Roostertail to third. The result continued one of the most impressive event-specific streaks in ERCU racing. The Miss Thriftway has now won the Detroit Memorial six straight times. That's not just a winning streak. That's a Detroit Memorial institution. Reunanen Runs the Table in 1/10 Modern Reunanen wasn't finished. The Paxton Reunanen-owned 2019 Graham Trucking American Dream turned a perfect preliminary performance into a 1/10 modern championship, winning all three preliminary heats before taking the final. David Newton and the 2006 Miss Emcor finished second, with Mike Henrikson and the 2026 Miss Royer taking third. The American Dream was never far from the front all day, and when the final heat arrived, Reunanen once again had the boat out front. Country Boy Takes 1/10 Classic The 1/10 classic final provided one of the day's more dramatic turns. Paul Dunlap, driving Tom Markos' 1971 Country Boy, entered the final with 800 preliminary points after a DNF in the opening heat, followed by victories in heats 2 and 3. Dunlap saved his best for the biggest heat, winning the final to claim the class championship. Jim Hagen and the American Speedy Printing finished second, while the remainder of the final field encountered trouble, including Nelson Holmberg and the 1975 Pay 'n Pak, which had swept the three preliminary heats before failing to finish the championship heat. The final-heat result made one thing clear: In ERCU racing, a perfect preliminary record is nice. You still have to finish the final. Mike Gossler Leads 1/7 Classic Mike Gossler and the 1977 Squire delivered a strong performance in the 1/7 classic class, winning the final after collecting victories in two of the three preliminary heats. Scott Whitestine and the 1972 Notre Dame finished second. Mike McIntosh's 1973 Red Man Too had also won two preliminary heats, but a DNF in the championship heat ended its run at the title. Wayne Beeson and the 1978 Miss Mark & Pak finished third in the event's consolation results. Reunanen Adds Another Trophy in 1/7 Vintage If anyone thought Reunanen was going to be satisfied with one championship, the 1/7 vintage final had other ideas. Reunanen drove the 1969 Pay n Pak (outrigger) to victory, completing a three-for-three sweep through the preliminary heats before winning the final. Joey Caines and the 1970 Pay n Pak (lil buzzard) finished second, while Scott Whitestine and the 1962 Notre Dame took third. David Heilbrunn and the 1965 Blue Chip finished fourth. It was another final that rewarded consistency: Reunanen never finished lower than first all day. Paxton also Tops 1/7 Modern The 1/7 modern class featured a two-boat championship battle, and Reunanen again came out on top. Reunanen drove the 2023 Beacon Plumbing to the 1/7 modern championship after winning the first and third preliminary heats and finishing second in the heat 2A. John Havens Jr. and the 1991 American Spirit finished second after winning one of the three preliminary heats. With only two boats in the final, there was nowhere to hide — and Reunanen had the final edge when it mattered most. Six Champions, One Memorable Detroit Memorial From the sweeping dominance of the American Dream and Pay n Pak (outrigger) to the comeback victory by the Country Boy, the 2026 Detroit Memorial delivered plenty of the unpredictable racing that has become part of the ERCU experience. But once again, the biggest story belonged to an old hydroplane with a very familiar driver-owner combination. Kerry Kjos' 1960 Miss Thriftway has now won the Detroit Memorial six consecutive times. Six years of racing and six trips to the top step. And still the only 1/10 vintage boat ever to win the Detroit Memorial. At the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course, some things apparently never change. And ERCU wouldn't have it any other way.  Results of the 2026 ERCU Board of Directors election have been verified and candidates have been notified.
With many thanks from the club membership, turnout in our election was 78 percent, which is amazing. ERCU Board Secretary Jerry Dunlap tallied and verified the votes, and those elected are Dennis Caines (82%), Nelson Holmberg (96%), Carl Lewis (68%) and Tom Markos (82%). Terms officially begin on November 1, so the new board will meet soon to determine which roles each will serve on the board and begin working on transition from those leaving the board. Leaving the board after two years of service will be Mike McIntosh and Jim McKeon. Jerry Dunlap, after serving eight years on the board will also be leaving. Many thanks to each of the three for their service to the club over many years.  The final race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Atomic Cup, presented by Skidfin Solutions LLC and Hobby Chef Racing, set for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Vance Creek Park in Elma.
The Atomic Cup brings the 2026 ERCU season to a close with a race that combines the history of unlimited hydroplane racing with the fast, competitive action of ERCU scale unlimiteds. Here is everything you need to know to prepare for the final race of the season. LOCATION Vance Creek Park 76 Wenzel Slough Road Elma, WA 98563 CONTEST DIRECTORS Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos RACE OFFICIALS Chief Referee: Modern classes: Mick Shutt Chief Referee: Classic classes: David Heilbrunn Chief Referee: 1/10 vintage: John Havens, Jr. Chief Referee: 1/7 vintage: Chuck Murray Drivers Representative: Scott Whitestine Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:15 a.m. First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m. THE ATOMIC CUP The Atomic Cup name carries more than six decades of unlimited hydroplane racing history. The cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland first joined the unlimited hydroplane racing scene in 1966, when the Tri-Cities hosted its first Atomic Cup. There had been discussion about bringing the unlimiteds to the Columbia River as early as 1958, but it finally became reality in 1966. The inaugural Atomic Cup proved to be a landmark race — and a landmark victory. Bill Brow drove Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser to victory, giving Little his first career unlimited hydroplane race win. Miss Budweiser won all three heats and averaged 94.937 mph for the event. The race continued under the Atomic Cup name through 1976, when it became the Columbia Cup. The Atomic Cup name returned for one year in 2006 before the event again became the Columbia Cup in 2007. ERCU has carried that historic name forward as part of its own racing tradition. The club has contested the Atomic Cup at Vance Creek Park numerous times, including races in 2012, 2013 and every season since 2023. And now, the tradition continues. WHAT TO EXPECT The Atomic Cup will feature ERCU's 1/10-scale vintage, classic and modern classes, with the race format designed to build toward winner-take-all championship finals. The current 2026 format calls for:
The Atomic Cup has traditionally provided plenty of drama, and the 2025 finale was no exception. Last year's event featured challenging wind and water conditions, multiple hard-fought finals and victories by David Newton, Craig Mullen, Jerry Dunlap, Paul Dunlap and Scott Whitestine. FREE HOT DOG LUNCH Thanks to Hobby Chef Racing, a free hot dog lunch to include the dogs, chili, grilled onions, chips, condiments and bottled water will be provided for racers, crews and their guests, but not the general public.. ERCU's Atomic Cup tradition has included a lunch break during the day's racing, providing an opportunity to grab something to eat, enjoy some open-water action and get ready for the afternoon's racing. RACE DAY NOTES The drivers meeting is mandatory for all drivers and classes. Racers should plan to arrive early, be prepared for changing weather and water conditions, and allow enough time for setup and preparation before the drivers meeting. ERCU's 2026 racing schedule includes 12 championship-series races, with the season championship determined from a driver's best 10 results. That makes the Atomic Cup not only the final race of the season, but the final opportunity for drivers to make their mark on the 2026 championship standings. Following racing, club equipment cleanup and trailer packing will take priority. Once the equipment is packed, the awards presentation will be held. ERCU asks members to stick around and help with teardown and to support their fellow racers during the awards presentation. ONE LAST RACE. ONE BIG PIECE OF HISTORY. From Bill Brow and Bernie Little's first Atomic Cup victory on the Columbia River in 1966 to today's electric scale unlimiteds racing at Vance Creek Park, the Atomic Cup has always connected the past, present and future of hydroplane racing. Join ERCU in Elma on Saturday, Sept. 26, as the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series comes to the checkered flag. |
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