ERCU Celebrates a great 2025 season with Luncheon in Puyallup

• 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.

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!