2026 ERCU Championship Series
Presidents Cup
Irene Reinhart Riverfront Park • Ellensburg, Wash.
DateSaturday, May 2, 2026
Contest DirectorPaxton Reunanen
Drivers MeetingApproximately 9:15 a.m.
First HeatApproximately 9:30 a.m.
The real-life Presidents Cup trophy, as presented by H1 Unlimited in 2017. (photo courtesy of H1 Unlimited)
The Presidents Cup was contested by unlimited hydroplanes between 1926 and 1977, with time out for World War II (1941-1945). After 1977, the Presidents Cup became a limited event for several years.
A man named William A. Rogers is the “father” of the Presidents Cup Regatta. Rogers convinced his fellow Corinthian Yacht Club members to host the race and persuaded President Calvin Coolidge to sponsor the trophy.
Most of the Presidents Cup races were contested on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., adjacent to Hains Point, except for a few pre-war races that were run in Annapolis, Md.
The first-place trophy was traditionally presented to the winner by the nation’s chief executive. The president that demonstrated the keenest interest in the race was undoubtedly Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose love for aquatics is well known.
FDR watched the 1938 race from the deck of the presidential yacht Potomac. Mr. Roosevelt was so thrilled by the close finish in the last heat that he sent for the drivers of the first and second-place boats (Theo Rossi of Alagi and George Seay of Miss Manteo II) so that he could congratulate them in person for their good sportsmanship and excellent driving.
The original winner of the Presidents Cup was L. Gordon Hammersley in his $60,000 duraluminum Cigarette IV. The winning speed was around 55 miles per hour.
Race Format
- 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.
- Winner-take-all championship finals for vintage, classic and modern.
- Vintage Triple Crown Series event #2
2026 race stats
2026 race results
1/10-Scale Modern Class
- Scott Whitestine, 2021 Graham Trucking
- David Heilbrunn, 2015 Dalton Industries
- Dray Newton, 2015 Albert Lee
- Nelson Holmberg, 2023 Flav-R-Pac
DNFChuck Murray, 2000 Miss Elam
1/10-Scale Classic Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
- Nelson Holmberg, 1986 Squire Shop Brittania
- John Havens Jr., 1976 Olympia Beer (backup)
- Wayne Beeson, 1978 Mark & Pak
DNFChuck Murray, 1976 Olympia Beer
DNFMike Walcker, 1973 Red Man Too
1/10-Scale Vintage Class
- Chuck Murray, 1964 Savair's Mist
- Wayne Beeson, 1967 Gale's Roostertail
- Dray Newton, 1957 Hawaii Kai III
DNFDavid Heilbrunn, 1964 Blue Chip
DNFPaxton Reunanen, 1960 Gale's Roostertail
1/7-Scale Classic/Modern Class
- Craig Mullen, 1972 Pay 'n Pak
- Scott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame
- Carl Lewis, 1974 Lincoln Thrift
- John Havens Jr., 1976 Miss Budweiser (backup)
- David Heilbrunn, 2024 Goodman Real Estate
DNSNelson Holmberg, 1978 Miss Vernor's (Owner: Carl Lewis) ^
1/7-Scale Vintage Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 1969 Pay 'n Pak Outrigger (Owner: Mike McIntosh)
- David Newton, 1958 Hawaii Kai III
- Scott Whitestine, 1962 Notre Dame
- John Sjostrom, 1960 Miss Thriftway
- Mark Manchester, 1966 Notre Dame ^
- John Havens Jr., 1962 Miss U.S. 1
presidents cup all-time results
1/10-Scale Vintage Class Race Winners2012–2026
- 20121960 Miss Burien. Owner/Driver: Robbie Roberts. Location: Silverado Lake, Adna, Wash.
- 20131971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Silverado Lake, Adna, Wash.
- 20141960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20151971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20161964 Savair's Mist. Owner/Driver: Chuck Murray. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20171971 Hallmark Homes. Owner/Driver: Robbie Roberts. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20181962 $ Bill. Owner/Driver: Geoffry Grembowski. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20191960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 2020No race due to Covid-19 Pandemic
- 20211960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20221960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20231960 Miss Thriftway. Driver: David Newton. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Paul Dunlap. Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood
- 20251960 Gale's Roostertail. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
- 20261964 Savair's Mist. Owner/Driver: Chuck Murray. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
1/10-Scale Classic Race Results2020–2026
- 2020No race due to Covid-19 Pandemic
- 20211985 The Squire Shop. Driver: Brandon Sano. Owner: Bob Sano. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20221983 Miss Houston. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Owner: Chuck Murray. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20231983 Miss Houston. Owner/Driver: Chuck Murray. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241972 Notre Dame. Driver: Paul Dunlap. Owner: Rick Evans. Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood
- 20251983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner: Paxton Reunanen. Driver: Jason Walters. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
- 20261983 Miss Rock KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
1/10-Scale Modern Class Race Winners2012–2026
- 20121999 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Silverado Lake, Adna, Wash.
- 20132010 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Craig Bradshaw. Location: Silverado Lake, Adna, Wash.
- 20142013 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20142014 Oberto. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20162011 Oh Boy! Oberto. Driver: Gabriel Kjos. Owner: Dead Guy Racing. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20171999 Appian Jeronimo. Owner/Driver: John Bischoff. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20181976 Olympia Beer. Driver: Gerry Bordon. Owner: Chuck Murray. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 20191972 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Rick Evans. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview, Wash.
- 2020No race due to Covid-19 Pandemic
- 20212015 Dalton Industries. Driver: Jerry Dunlap. Owner: Rick Evans. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20222018 Oberto Beef Jerky. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20232021 Goodman Real Estate. Owner/Driver: David Heilbrunn. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241991 Winston Eagle. Owner/Driver: Mike Hughes. Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood
- 20252019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
- 20262021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Scott Whitestine. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
1/7-Scale Modern Race Results2021–2025
- 20211982 Gilmore Special. Owner/Driver: Rob Edwards. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20222021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20232021 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20242023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood (modern & classic mixed)
- 20251972 Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
1/7-Scale Classic Race Results2022–2025
- 20221970 Pay 'n Pak (hemi). Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20231970 Pay 'n Pak (hemi). Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20251972 Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: Craig Mullen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
1/7-Scale Vintage Race Results2021–2026
- 20211974 Miss Lapeer. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20221969 Parco's O-Ring Miss. Owner/Driver: Gerry Bordon. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20231958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241983 Island Security Systems. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Waughop Lake, Lakewood
- 20251975 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner: Paxton Reunanen. Driver: Jason Walters. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg
- 20261969 Pay 'n Pak Outrigger. Owner: Mike McIntosh. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park, Ellensburg