ERCU is happy to announce a new sponsor partnership with Wes Ellet of Ellet RC and Wesley's Custom Graphics.

Ellet RC has more than 300 sets of custom RC scale boat decals available in its catalog. In 2026, Ellet RC will donate a gift certificate for one complete set of decals to an ERCU member at one of our events. 

The race where this giveaway will happen hasn't yet been determined, but stay tuned and we'll announce that soon.

Many thanks to Wes Ellet for his support of ERCU. We're happy to have him on board. We're also grateful for the work of our own Jim McKeon who made this happen.

Thank you for all who participated in the rules process this year. Whether it was submitting suggested rule changes, participating in our December winter meeting when we discussed the proposed changes, voting on the proposals or all of the above, your involvement is appreciated. ERCU is currently enjoying unprecedented member engagement in the club, even in the offseason. That’s very exciting — especially being that we’re just nine weeks away from the season-opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta in Elma. 

The 2026 ERCU Rule Book is now available. It’s three distinct sections, so please read all three by clicking here. 

Changes for 2026 are highlighted in green inside each section of the book.

Here are highlights of the changes. Full details of the changes are in the book:

• A legal heat may now be based on just two boats (heats will be shortened to three laps with a five lap final) — General Rules A. III.
• Flexibility for creating longer courses, allowing for 4-lap heats for 1/10 if the course is too long for the smaller boats — Racing Rules A. X.
• Deletion of the “most recognizable form” rule, with the intent to clear up vague language and allow members to build the versions of boats they want to build, provided boats still achieve the threshold of “the real boats that have attempted to qualify on the unlimited circuit”. — General Rules
• Inspection of motors, a new rule has been included (Technical Manual D) expressing the rule, consequence and inspection process.
• Clarified the propeller rule (hub is part of the propeller) — Technical Manual
• Clarified in 1/7 scale motor rules that bearings and connectors may be replaced at any time — Technical Manual
• Changed strut/shaft rule to allow for all classes/both divisions to have a shaft that does not need to maintain a straight line through the strut — Technical Manual

Please be sure to read this year’s rule book so you’re familiar with the rules and understand the changes for 2026, and consider printing copies to have in the pits with you in case you need them. 

With many thanks to very engaged membership voting on the 2026 proposed rule changes, voting is now closed and we're happy to announce the results.

The seven proposals sent forward from the ERCU competition committee and recommended by the ERCU board of directors passed with easily more than the required .667% of those voting. Club bylaws require a two-thirds (.667%) of the ballot turnout for passage of rules changes.

With the 2025-26 rule change process now complete, the club's rulebooks will soon be updated and posted to the club website, while also being distributed directly to members.

Here’s a rundown of the changes for 2026:
​

• Two boats make a legal class: PASSED 18-1 (.947%)
  • NEW RULE: Any class can be officially run with a minimum of 2 boats. If only 2 boats are present, the race will use an alternate format consisting of 3-lap preliminary heats and a 5-lap final. When 3 or more boats are entered, the race may run without restrictions on the number of laps in the preliminary heats.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: This would give a chance for people to show up with a modern boat (typically the class that has lower counts) and still be able to race.  This would also keep the classes separated as is done in 1/10th scale.  Finally this would also encourage the growth of the class and hopefully encourage more participants with a 3 lap race if only 2 present. After the 2026 season this should be re-evaluated

• Motor testing procedure: PASSED 19-0 (1.000%)
  • NEW RULE: Motors may be tested for KV compliance at any event by the board and/or technical inspectors. Motors will be tested by club purchased and approved KV meters only. 
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: The rule book does not currently include any official rule stating how motors would be tested. It is recommended by the Competition Committee that the rule be added. Also the club should own multiple KV meters (2-3) of the same brand and model, just in case of any motor testing over the KV rating. This would eliminate the confusing method of using a drill to test for KV, which currently no one in the club knows how to do. This would also help so any member of the board could test at any time. 
    
    
• 1/7 scale motor requirements: PASSED 18-1 (.947%)
  • NEW RULE: Bearings and connectors may be replaced at any time.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: If the club does test motors, this would eliminate the issue of modifying the motor to have a higher KV than is allowed. The bullet connectors should be allowed to be larger than 5.5mm as if anyone is using any Castle ESC, you are required to use an 8mm connector. This would eliminate the connector issue, which many are not following currently. This would also change the verbiage to be consistent with what is used for 1/10th scale. 

​

• Race Course size: PASSED 19-0 (1.000%)
  • NEW LANGUAGE: Modify Race Rules A. VII. X. to the following:
    All heats will be five laps run in a counterclockwise direction. If a race course is deemed too large for 1/10th scale, then 1/10th scales may run four laps. At the discretion of the chief referee a heat may be reduced to three completed laps if only a single boat remains running.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: Do not add buoys for a second, larger, course as it would cause confusion for racers. Also most race courses would not allow for a longer course (Elma, Long’s Pond, Waughop, Ellensburg, possibly others). If we want to have a large course (at Longview, Twin Lakes, Scott Lake or any other lake that you could potentially) we could allow for 1/10 scale to run a 4 lap race instead. This would allow for a larger course to be set up and would eliminate an issue on battery usage for 1/10 scale. 

• Clearing up propeller rule ambiguity: PASSED 19-0 (1.000%)
  • NEW LANGUAGE: Add the following rule to Technical Manual D (1/7 and 1/10 vintage and classic propellers):
    The hub of the propeller counts as part of the propeller.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: In order to not make the rules too ambiguous and make less confusing the Competition Committee recommends to clarify that the hub of the propeller counts as a portion of the propeller.

• Vintage/Classic struts/shafts: PASSED 17-2 (.895%)
  • NEW RULE:  (1/7 and 1/10 vintage and classic struts/shafts) Any legal shaft may be used, and shaft does not need to maintain a straight line from hull exit through the strut.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: This will make the rule more uniform with other classes of racing and with 1/7th scale as well.  It makes the rule book a little less ambiguous and more inviting for members.

• Most recognizable form: PASSED 19-0 (1.000%)
  • ​DELETE: If a club member desires to build and race a boat in any configuration other than “its most recognizable form” a variance will be required. i. The member shall submit in writing the brief history of the boat in question including pictures and a description of why they want to race that boat to the inspector(s). The inspector(s) will review the information and make a ruling within two weeks of the submission. If the request is denied then the member may appeal to the ERCU Board of Directors, which shall make the final ruling. ii. The member shall submit in writing the brief history of the boat in question including pictures and a description of why they want to race that boat to the scale inspector. The Scale Inspector and Technical Inspector will review the information and make a ruling within two weeks of the submission. If the request is turned down then the member may appeal to the ERCU Contest Board, which shall make the final ruling.
    
    Competition Committee's Reasoning: In order to be more inclusive the Competition Committee recommends deleting the following from the rulebook. Instead, simply refer to rules stating it needs to be at an official race. We don’t want to be so technical that we detour people from joining our club. The way the rule currently states, this would eliminate some boats that are currently racing. Example: David Newton’s 2025 Goodman Real estate has a salt water scoop. The real boat raced in five races, but only raced once with the salt water scoop. As the rule book currently states, he would have to take off the salt water scoop. This would open it up for members to make their favorite version of the boat and to be less penalized of what members want to build. Also this would align the rule with NAMBA and other clubs in the area. 

​The first ERCU Winter Meeting of the 2025-26 season is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., via Zoom.

The idea of Winter Meetings is to bring together members of the club for fellowship and keeping in touch during the offseason, while also conducting a quick board meeting. If you’re available to jump on Zoom and join in on the fun Wednesday evening, we’d love to have you.

Click here to join the meeting. The Zoom link, meeting ID and password are below in case the link doesn't work for you.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83797939825?pwd=NCAFxmMQzZEnfwvdIe1jCZXIhZeqve.1
Meeting ID: 837 9793 9825
Passcode: 007970

Click here for the meeting agenda.

Like most years, we’ll plan to have Winter Meetings on a monthly basis, so members can stay updated on what’s going on, and keep in touch with one another.

We'll also participate in the annual Roger Newton Memorial RC Boat Show at the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in February. More information about that event coming soon, as well.

Hope to see you on Saturday morning!

ERCU recently celebrated another incredible season of competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie on the water. From exhilarating victories to the lessons we learned from each race, it’s been a season to remember.
 
With the opening comments, racers, crews, contest directors, officials, friends and supporters and especially spouses and partners at home who made this season possible were appreciated. 
  
A state of the club update was also shared, highlighting the following:

• Finances are the best they’ve ever been – projected to finish the fiscal year with roughly $7,000 in the bank
• Equipment is outstanding, and getting better
• New competition committee (David Newton – chair; Tom Markos, Jim Latimer, Carl Lewis, Dennis Caines), getting an early start on the rules process
• Membership and participation is up over previous years – 8 races had more than 50 boats, 9 had more than 40.
• Overall growth in the 1/7-scale division; and in 1/10 classic and 1/10 vintage
• And we’re just having fun!

John & Dianne Earnest were the featured speakers and they shared loads of great memories and experiences from being founding members of both Radio Controlled Unlimiteds (RCU) and ERCU, as well as John's passionate interest in unlimited hydroplane racing from his childhood forward. 

Click here to see the slideshow of the Earnests' history in model boat racing.
Click here to see video of John Earnest's ride in the 1973 Pay 'n Pak (Winged Wonder)
Click here to see video of John Earnest's ride in the Miss Bardahl (Green Dragon)

Once the Earnests were do, it was time to give out the hardware. The club board shared thanks for all the members who took the time to share their nominations for these awards. The club’s bylaws say that the board should decide the award winners itself, but opening nominations to the entire membership assures that deserving members are at least recognized, even if they aren’t the award winner. So thank you to those who nominated, and congratulations to the nominees. This is a true recognition from our peers. 
 
Award winners for 2025 are:

1/10 Scale Rookie of the Year
Those nominated were:

• John Havens, Jr.
• Dray Newton

And the winner is:
Dray Newton. At the first couple of races in 2025, Dray was getting help from his dad with the throttle, and by the end of the year, Dray was consistently gaining on the competition driving his boats on his own. Dray drove in nine races this year and finished 5th in vintage season points (6,925) and 6th in classic season points (5,000). Congratulations Dray!
 
1/7 Scale Rookie of the Year 
Those nominated were:

• John Havens, Jr.
• Carl Lewis
• Scott Whitestine

And the winner is:
John Havens Jr. John won both the boat and driver championships in 1/7 classic/modern. Finished fifth in 1/7 vintage driver points. Congratulations John!

Sportsmanship Award 
Those nominated were:

• Dennis Caines
• Paul Dunlap
• Mark Gran
• Nelson Holmberg
• Mike McIntosh
• Bob Van den Akker

And the winner is:
Paul Dunlap. It's doubtful that there’s anyone who would dispute this award – in fact, there may even be some who believe the award should be named after this guy. Paul is always working hard for the club, operating the chase boat, helping with officiating and scoring, being a top notch racer with great sportsmanship. And best – he’s always smiling. Thank you Paul and congratulations.
  
Most Improved Driver 
Those nominated were:

• John Havens, Jr.
• Carl Lewis
• Dray Newton
• Denise Sjostrom
• John Sjostrom

And the winner is:
John Sjostrom. This year’s winner, John, made big improvements during the 2025 season, not just on the water but also off the water. Today, we celebrate John for his great 2025 season and we look forward to another great season with John in 2026. Keep it up! Congratulations.
  
Contest Director of the Year
Those nominated were:

• Dennis Caines
• David Heilbrunn
• Nelson Holmberg & Tom Markos
• Mike McIntosh & Bob Van den Akker
• David Newton

And the Contest Director of the Year is:
Dennis Caines. Dennis doesn’t just put on a race at Scott Lake. He coordinates a community festival. What Dennis does with the Diamond Cup for ERCU and for his neighbors goes above and beyond, and we appreciate Dennis’ efforts.
 
Sponsor of the Year 
Those nominated were:

• Chuck Murray
• DCR Coffee
• Mini Bucket List Racing
• Perkins Glass
• Pirkel
• Rattlesnake RC
• Skidfin Consulting

And the winner is:
Chuck Murray. For the third consecutive year, Chuck proved just how important RC hydroplane racing, and ERCU is to him by putting his money where his mouth is. In 2023, he stepped up with a $1,000 cash contribution to the club as a sponsorship. In 2024, he pledged to do the same, and after the fire that destroyed many of his belongings and was costly to him personally, he still managed to find a way to make another cash contribution to the club, in this case helping to offset some of the club’s costs for this End of Season Celebration. This year, Chuck not only paid 100% of the pledged $1,000 sponsorship, but he also shared another $350 with the club to help offset some of the costs of this event. Many thanks to you Chuck! Congratulations on your Sponsor of the Year award.
 
Bill Mowatt Outstanding Contribution Award
This award, which was given its formal name in 2024 in forever recognition of the amazing contributions Bill Mowatt made to the club, and the pride he had in being a member of the club.
 
Those nominated were:

• Dennis Caines
• Paul Dunlap
• David Heilbrunn
• Nelson Holmberg
• Patty McKeon
• Mike McIntosh
• Craig Mullen
• David Newton
• Bob Van den Akker

And the winners are:
Patty McKeon & David Heilbrunn.

We all have seen just how hard David grinds during a race day and the way he puts the club ahead of his own racing most of the time and still manages to stay competitive with the rest of the field. But he also busts his butt off the race course, keeping things going for the club.

Patty has been the brains behind the brawn as Jim McKeon has served as treasurer and registrar for the last two years. Patty has provided security and stability in our financial reporting, and her hard work has been deeply appreciated. Thank you to both Patty and David for all of your hard work!
 
ERCU Hall of Fame
Our final award is a big one. The ERCU Hall of Fame has a long list of big names in the sport, of people who’ve lived and died for ERCU, and people who have accomplished strong success on the water, as well. Again, this is an honor that could have gone to as many as three or four individuals this year, but the club’s precedent has been to award induction to just one person per year. Some who were nominated are already in the Hall of Fame, so they weren’t as strongly considered as those who are not in. 
 
The nominees for induction into the ERCU Hall of Fame in 2025 are:

• Paul Dunlap
• Kerry Kjos
• Jim Latimer
• Mike McIntosh
• Craig Mullen
• Chuck Murray
• Bob Van den Akker.

 
And this year, for the first time in the history of the club, ERCU is proud to induct more than one member into its Hall of Fame.

Paul Dunlap, Mike McIntosh, Craig Mullen, Bob Van den Akker are this year’s inductees!

The ERCU Bylaws say that the Board Chair shall poll members of the board at the end of the year to decide who our annual End of Season Award winners are. This year, the board has decided it would like input from the membership for the 2025 ERCU End of Season Awards.

As such, at the end of the season, are asking you to provide nominations in the following categories. From those nominations, the board will fulfill its duty to select award winners.

The annual awards that we’re seeking your input on include:

• Rookie of the Year - any member who competed his or her first full season in ERCU (to be a rookie, she or he must have entered the season with fewer than 2,500 career points in ERCU).
  
• Most Improved Driver
  
• Sponsor of the Year
• Sportsmanship Award
• Contest Director of the Year
  
• Contribution Award
• Hall of Fame
  

Please click here to easily nominate fellow members (or yourself) for consideration of these annual ERCU End of Season Awards. You may enter as many names as you would like to enter.

Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5 when we’ll close nominations and the board will then make selections from those nominated.

The final race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series is the Atomic Cup, presented by Skidfin Consulting and Hobby Chef Racing, set for Saturday Sept. 20, 2025, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is all you need to know to get prepared for the upcoming race.
 
Location
Vance Creek Park, 76 Wenzel Slough Road, Elma, WA 98563
 
Context
The Columbia River cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland first climbed on the Unlimited bandwagon in 1966 with the first annual Tri-Cities Atomic Cup. There had been talk of inviting the unlimiteds there as early as 1958. But 1966 was when it finally happened. Bill Brow was the winner that first year, driving Bernie Little's Miss Budweiser. The race remained named the Atomic Cup until 1976 when it was renamed the Columbia Cup. In 2006, when the race lost its title sponsorship from Budweiser, the event was run as the Atomic Cup once again, but with the arrival of Lamb Weston as title sponsor in 2007, it returned to being the Columbia Cup. ERCU last raced in Elma in 2023 and before that, 2012 and 2013.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Atomic Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/atomic-cup.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. 19, 2025. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials 

• Contest Directors: Tom Markos, Nelson Holmberg
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern/classic): Mick Shutt
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage): Bob Van den Akker
• Chief Referee (1/7 vintage): David Newton
• Drivers Representative: Tom Markos & Chuck Murray
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge next heat

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Race course will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 30-minute lunch break will be held after the completion of the second flight of heats. Hobby Chef Racing Team will provide a hot dog lunch with all the fixings for all racers in attendance.

 


Race Format

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all classes (depending on boat count and attrition).
• Second connie winner advances to first connie as a trailer. First connie winner advances to the final as a trailer.

• Second place boat in the first connie is an alternate for the final.
• Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.

 
Flight Schedule

• 1/10 scale modern
• 1/7 scale modern/classic
• 1/10 scale classic
• 1/10 scale vintage
• 1/7 scale vintage

 
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.

Special Awards
The Atomic Cup will feature two special awards, created by David Newton specially for the final event of the season. The Plutonium Performance Award will be given to the racer with the most powerful, untouchable run of the day. The Meltdown Award will go to the racer with the hardest luck of the day.

Courtesy of Skidfin Consulting, all podium finishers in the days final heats will be given take home photo plaques created featuring the art from past actual Atomic Cups in the Tri-Cities with mini nuclear cooling towers on them.

2024 Atomic Cup Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern: David Newton, 2004 Miss Budweiser
• 1/7 Scale Modern/Classic: no race
• 1/10 Scale Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock
• 1/10 Scale Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1970 Burien Lady
• 1/7 Scale Vintage: David Newton, 1956 Hawaii Kai III

 
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 will be portable toilets 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 if you will need to charge batteries during the day.