RACE CIRCULAR: Detroit Memorial Regatta on Sept. 6

The 11th race of the 2025 ERCU Championship Series is the Detroit Memorial Regatta, set for Saturday Sept. 6, 2025, at the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course in Lacey. Here is all you need to know to get prepared for the upcoming race.
 
Location
Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course at Woodland Creek Park
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, WA 98503 
 
Context
This was a brand new race in 2021, established in order to memorialize and celebrate ERCU members who have passed away over the years. Many thanks to Brad Lewis and David Newton for not only dreaming to create such an auspicious event, but also for their work in putting it all together. It has become a tradition, and a very special event, so you won’t want to miss it.
 
As a club, we’ll be acknowledging three members from days gone by – Don Mock, Doug Brow and Gary Rose – during an extended drivers’ meeting, which is to start at 9:05 a.m. There will be lots of additional action both on and off the race course throughout the day. There will also bring a 50/50 raffle (so bring cash) and some great prizes to give away – including three $50 gift certificates and one $25 gift certificate from Rattlesnake RC, and a Team Porter Racing Graham Trucking crew jersey from the 2016 Gold Cup-winning season.
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Detroit Memorial Regatta is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/detroit-memorial-regatta.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. 5, 2025. After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials 

• Contest Directors: ERCU Board of Directors
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern/classic): Jerry & Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic): David Heilbrunn
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage): Craig Mullen
• Chief Referee (1/7 vintage): Nelson Holmberg
• Drivers Representative: Dennis Caines
• 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 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBA. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 


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.

2024 Detroit Memorial Regatta Champions

• 1/10 Scale Modern (in memory of Craig Bradshaw): Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/7 Scale Modern/Classic (in memory of Craig Bradshaw & Bill Mowatt): Tyler McKeon, 1976 Olympia Beer
• 1/10 Scale Classic (in memory of Bill Mowatt): Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock
• 1/10 Scale Vintage (in memory of Ben Keller): Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (owner: Kerry Kjos)
• 1/7 Scale Vintage (in memory of Ben Keller): Paxton Reunanen, 1976 Oh Boy! Oberto

 
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 are public restroom facilities on site at Woodland Creek Park.
 
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.