​Atomic Cup Closes Out ERCU’s 2026 Championship Season in Elma

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.