Diamond Cup

2026 ERCU Championship Series

Diamond Cup

Scott Lake Park • Olympia, Wash.

DateSaturday, April 18, 2026
Contest DirectorsDennis Caines
Drivers MeetingApproximately 9:15 a.m.
First HeatApproximately 9:30 a.m.
Read the race circular

For a decade, the North Idaho resort town of Couer d’Alene, played host to “Water Racing’s Greatest Show”–the Unlimited hydroplanes – starting in 1958.

The Couer d’Alene race always attracted a large crowd of spectators. And a lot of people from Seattle could be counted upon to line the shores of Lake Couer d’Alene for the annual Diamond Cup.

In the 1950s and early ‘60s, Unlimited racing was a distinctly regional sport. Unlike today, West Coast teams attended mainly western races, while East Coast teams patronized mainly eastern races. There were very few crossovers.

When it comes to ERCU, the Diamond Cup has been run every year but three across the 22 year history of ERCU. The Diamond Cup is one of the club’s “nomad” races, having been run in numerous locations from Longview to Friday Harbor. Rick Lentz purchased and donated perpetual trophies years ago with the lucite at the head of the trophy engraved with an image of the original Diamond Cup that was awarded in Couer d’Alene in its early years.

Race Format

  • LOVE PLAN
  • Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes
  • First and second connies for both 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.
  • Finals for vintage, classic and modern.
  • Classic Triple Crown Series event #1
Diamond CupDiamond Cup

2026 race stats

Diamond Cup race statistics
Diamond Cup race statistics

2026 race results

1/10 Scale Modern Class

  1. Nelson Holmberg, 2023 Flav-R-Pac
  2. David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries
DNSPaxton Reunanen, 2015 Albert Lee

1/10 Scale Classic Class

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
  2. John Havens Jr., 1976 Olympia Beer (backup)
  3. Paul Dunlap, 1971 Country Boy (Owner: Tom Markos)
  4. Nelson Holmberg, 1982 Squire Shop Brittania
DNFCarl Lewis, 1974 Miss U.S. ^
DNFChuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer

1/10 Scale Vintage Class

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1960 Miss Thriftway (Owner: Kerry Kjos)
  2. David Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
  3. Wayne Beeson, 1967 Gale's Roostertail
DNFMarc Connelly, 1969 Notre Dame
DNFPaul Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
SCRJay Fonville, 1965 Tahoe Miss

1/10 Scale Classic Triple Crown

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW, 1,600
  2. Nelson Holmberg, 1986 Squire Shop Brittania, 1,269
  3. John Havens Jr., 1976 Olympia Beer (backup), 1,225
  4. Chuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer, 1,200
  5. Paul Dunlap, 1971 Country Boy, 1,050 (Owner: Tom Markos)
  6. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark 'n Pak, 863
  7. Jay Fonville, 1976 Spirit of Dayton Walther, 769
  8. Rich Matkin, 1979 Squire Shop, 675
  9. Nelson Holmberg, 1975 Pay 'n Pak, 300
  10. Carl Lewis, 1974 Miss U.S., 225
  11. Jim Hagan, 1983 American Speedy Printing, 0
  12. Jerry Dunlap, 1985 Coor's Light, 0

1/7 Scale Modern Class

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 2023 Beacon Plumbing
  2. David Heilbrunn, 2023 Goodman Real Estate
DNFDavid Newton, 1989 Winston Eagle (lobster)

1/7 Scale Classic Class

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1977 Natural Light
  2. Mike Gossler, 1977 Squire
  3. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame ^
  4. Jim McKeon, 1980 Miss Budweiser (backup)
  5. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark 'n Pak
  6. John Havens Jr., 1976 Miss Budweiser (backup)
DNFCarl Lewis, 1976 Miss Vernor's

1/7 Scale Vintage Class

  1. David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III
  2. Scott Whitestine, 1962 Notre Dame
  3. Bob Van den Akker, 1962 Miss Seattle Too
  4. Paul Dunlap, 1967 Miss Budweiser ^
  5. Joey Caines, 1970 Pay 'n Pak Lil' Buzzard
  6. Jim McKeon, 1957 Maverick

1/7 Scale Classic Triple Crown

  1. Paxton Reunanen, 1977 Natural Light, 1,200
  2. Mike Gossler, 1977 Squire, 1,100
  3. Carl Lewis, 1974 Lincoln Thrift, 1,000
  4. Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark & Pak, 977
  5. Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame, 920
  6. Jim McKeon, 1980 Miss Budweiser (backup), 919
  7. Carl Lewis, 1976 Miss Vernor's, 800
  8. John Havens Jr., 1976 Miss Budweiser (backup), 733
  9. Dennis Caines, 1975 Pay 'n Pak, 600
  10. Rob Edwards, 1982 Gilmore Special, 600
  11. Craig Mullen, 1972 Pay 'n Pak, 469

diamond cup all-time results

1/10 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners2003–2026
  • 20031957 Maverick. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Waughop, Lakewood
  • 20041966 My Gypsy. Owner/Driver: David Lilly. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
  • 20051956 Slo-Mo-Shun IV. Owner: Monte Steere. Driver: Nigel Steere. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
  • 20061960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Jesse Robertson. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
  • 20071969 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
  • 2008No Race
  • 20091969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak Hooktail. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Beaverton Valley Pond, Friday Harbor
  • 20101960 Miss Everett. Owner/Driver: Gary Simmons. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond, Friday Harbor
  • 20111969 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak Outrigger. Owner: Jeff Campbell. Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond (2), Friday Harbor
  • 2012No Race
  • 20131958 Coral Reef. Owner/Driver: Craig Bradshaw. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
  • 20141962 Gale V. Owner/Driver: John Earnest. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
  • 20151971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 2016No race
  • 20171962 $ Bill. Owner/Driver: Geoffry Grembowski. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20181960 Miss Thriftway. Owner/Driver: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20191970 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20201975 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
  • 20211960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20221960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20231960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20241964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20251964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20261960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
1/10 Scale Classic Class Race Winners2020–2026
  • 20201974 Miss U.S. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
  • 20211982 Oh Boy! Oberto Owner/Driver: Brad Lewis. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20221984 Executone. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20231986 Boat. Owner/Driver: Jerry Dunlap. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20241983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20251977 Anhueser Busch Natural Light. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20261983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
1/10 Scale Modern Class Race Winners2003–2026
  • 2003No race for modern class
  • 20041974 Country Boy. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
  • 20051970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
  • 20061970 Pride of Pay ‘n Pak. Owner/Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
  • 20071994 T-Plus. Owner/Driver: Nigel Steere. Location: Pipe Lake, Covington
  • 2008No Race
  • 20091974 Country Boy. Owner: Mike Campbell. Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Beaverton Valley Pond, Friday Harbor
  • 20101982 Executone. Owner: Mike Campbell. Driver: Jeff Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond, Friday Harbor
  • 20111986 Boat. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Sundstrom’s Pond (2), Friday Harbor
  • 2012No Race
  • 20132012 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
  • 20142012 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Horseshoe Lake Park, Woodland
  • 20152011 Valken. Owner/Driver: Jimmejames Cusworth. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 2016No race
  • 20172014 Spirit of Qatar. Owner/Driver: Len Taylor. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20182015 Dalton Industries. Owner/Driver: Rick Evans. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20192018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20202018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Long's Pond, Woodland Creek Park, Lacey
  • 20212015 Dalton Industries. Owner: Rick Evans. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20222018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20232003 Miss Budweiser. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20242019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20252004 Miss Budweiser. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20262023 Flav-R-Pac. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
1/7 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners2021–2026
  • 20211958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner: Ben Keller. Drivers: Craig Mullen & Brian Buass. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20221969 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20231958 Hawaii Kai III. Owners: David Newton/Ben Keller. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20241983 Island Security Systems. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20251958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20261958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
1/7 Scale Classic Class Race Winners2023–2026
  • 20231975 Pay 'n Pak. Owner: Craig Mullen. Driver: Bill Mowatt. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20241974 Miss U.S. Owner: Denise Sjostrom. Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20261977 Natural Light. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
1/7 Scale Modern Class Race Winners2021–2026
  • 20211972 Notre Dame. Owner: Gary Hansen. Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 20222021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea, Longview
  • 2023No race due to boat count
  • 20242023 Goodman Real Estate. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20252010 Miss Peters & May. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia
  • 20262023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Scott Lake, Olympia

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