Kjos Keeps the Detroit Memorial Streak Alive as ERCU Returns to Lacey

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.