The boats are dried out, the batteries are in storage mode, and the 2026 racing season is officially in the books. On Saturday, Nov. 7, ERCU members, families and friends gathered at The Ram in Puyallup to celebrate what was, by just about every measure, the biggest year in club history.
The afternoon opened with an invocation by Dennis Caines. The club also thanked The Ram for hosting and longtime friend Chuck Murray, who sponsored the event with a cash contribution to help offset costs for the third year in a row. Racers, crews, contest directors, volunteers, sponsors, families and fans were all credited with keeping ERCU on the water and growing.
Remembering friends
The gathering paused for a moment of silence to remember the racers and RC racing fans lost over the past year: Mark Manchester, Bill Amick, Mike Schultz and Chris Denslow.
Mark Manchester’s memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ballard Elks Club. All ERCU members are invited.
State of the club: outstanding
Asked to sum up the state of the club in a word, the answer was simple: awesome.
With more than 150 registered boats, ERCU is now the second-largest scale hydroplane racing club in the world, trailing only RC Unlimiteds, a club with twice the history.
The club is also on solid financial ground, finishing 2026 with an ending fund balance of more than $12,000. That balance, built on dues, entry fees and sponsor generosity, lets ERCU keep investing in its events, equipment and future.
Special thanks went to Patty and Jim McKeon (though Jim would say Patty did most of the work), whose financial reporting went above and beyond the strong work of past treasurers. Their efforts leave a much better system in place as Tom Markos takes over as club treasurer.
Participation hit new highs across the board:
- 26 1/10-scale modern boats raced this season, not just registered, the most in club history.
- 112 different boats raced in 2026.
- 12 races were held, with full pits at nearly every one.
- More races drew 50 or more boats to the pits than in any previous season.
The club’s success is drawing attention beyond the Northwest, too. A new 1/10-scale hydroplane racing club is starting up in Southern California, and it is modeling itself after ERCU.
It’s a long way from the not-so-distant day when only six boats showed up to race in Marysville and the club’s future was in serious question. Since then, ERCU has pushed forward, listened to its members, gotten better and grown. The goal now: make 2027 even bigger.
Special guest Dustin Echols
The celebration welcomed special guest Dustin Echols, who has seen unlimited hydroplane racing from both sides. Echols is the former driver of Bucket List Racing and today is known to many fans as the live stream analyst for H1 Unlimited, calling the races from the broadcast booth.
Echols also holds a world record: a fuel-restricted qualifying lap of 171.294 mph, set June 24, 2023, in Guntersville, Alabama. With H1 no longer racing in Guntersville, that record figures to stand for a good while. And yes, he has crashed a boat or two, which, as the room was reminded, puts him in good company.
Echols shared what life is like in the cockpit of a full-size unlimited and offered his take on where the sport is headed, giving ERCU members a rare chance to talk boats with someone who has lived it. The club thanks him for spending part of his day with us.
The 2026 ERCU Awards
The highlight of the afternoon was the 2026 awards. All nominations were made by club members, which makes the recognition all the more meaningful for every nominee.
Dennis Caines led the field with four nominations, while Paul Dunlap, David Heilbrunn, Nelson Holmberg and Mike McIntosh each earned three. Rookies Wayne Beeson and Marc Connelly were nominated for both Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Driver.
Rookie of the Year
This year the club named two Rookies of the Year. Wayne Beeson took the honor in 1/10 scale, and Ron Manchesterwon in 1/7 scale. Nominees were Wayne Beeson, Riley Christy, Marc Connelly and Ron Manchester.
Mark Manchester Award for Sportsmanship
This year the club renamed its sportsmanship award in honor of the late Mark Manchester, and it now comes with a perpetual trophy. The award recognizes those who make the pits a better place to be. Jerry Dunlap received the first-ever Mark Manchester Award for Sportsmanship. Nominees were Jerry Dunlap, Paul Dunlap, John Havens Jr., David Heilbrunn, Nelson Holmberg, Mike McIntosh, Brian Perkins and Paxton Reunanen.
Most Improved Driver
Jim Hagan was named the 2026 Most Improved Driver after a season of extra speed, sharper lines and growing confidence. Nominees were Wayne Beeson, Dennis Caines, Marc Connelly, Jim Hagan, John Havens Jr. and Scott Whitestine.
Contest Director of the Year
No race happens without someone willing to take charge, keep the schedule moving and make the tough calls. Dennis Caines was named Contest Director of the Year for the Diamond Cup. The nominees were:
- Dennis Caines, Diamond Cup
- Jerry Dunlap and Paul Dunlap, Champion Spark Plug Regatta
- David Heilbrunn, Seafair Trophy Race
- Mike McIntosh and Bob Van Den Akker, Bernie Little Memorial
- Tom Markos and Nelson Holmberg, Atomic Cup
- David Newton, Roger Newton Memorial
Sponsor of the Year
Skidfin Solutions was named 2026 Sponsor of the Year. Nominees were Chuck Murray, Pirtek and Skidfin Solutions. The club is grateful to all of its sponsors, whose generous financial support keeps ERCU on the water.
Bill Mowatt Contribution Awards
Named for the late Bill Mowatt, who was ERCU’s best friend during his years racing with the club, these awards thank members who give their time, talent, energy and sometimes treasure, often behind the scenes and without being asked. Five members were honored this year:
- David Heilbrunn
- John Havens Jr.
- Dennis Caines
- Paxton Reunanen
- Nelson Holmberg
2026 Triple Crown Champions
| Class | Boat | Driver |
|---|---|---|
| 1/10 Modern | 2015 Dalton Industries | David Heilbrunn |
| 1/7 Modern | 1989 Winston Eagle Lobster | Mike McIntosh |
| 1/7 Modern | 2023 Beacon Plumbing | Paxton Reunanen |
| 1/10 Classic | 1971 Country Boy | Tom Markos |
| 1/7 Classic | 1972 Notre Dame | Scott Whitestine |
| 1/10 Vintage | 1967 Gale’s Roostertail | Wayne Beeson |
| 1/7 Vintage | 1962 Notre Dame | Scott Whitestine |
Driver of the Year
Paxton Reunanen was named the 2026 Driver of the Year, with Rookie of the Year Wayne Beeson close behind.
2026 Season Champions
| Championship | Champion | Boat / Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 Modern Driver | David Heilbrunn | 2015 Dalton Industries | 8,901 |
| 1/10 Modern Boat | 2015 Dalton Industries | David Heilbrunn | 8,901 |
| 1/7 Modern Driver | Paxton Reunanen | 2023 Beacon Plumbing | 8,100 |
| 1/7 Modern Boat | 2023 Beacon Plumbing | Paxton Reunanen | 8,100 |
| 1/10 Classic Driver | Paul Dunlap | 1971 Country Boy | 10,350 |
| 1/10 Classic Boat | 1971 Country Boy | Tom Markos | 13,000 |
| 1/7 Classic Driver | Scott Whitestine | 1972 Notre Dame | 13,795 |
| 1/7 Classic Boat | 1972 Notre Dame | Scott Whitestine | 13,795 |
| 1/10 Vintage Driver | Paxton Reunanen | 1960 Miss Thriftway / 1962 Gale’s Roostertail | 10,400 |
| 1/10 Vintage Boat | 1967 Gale’s Roostertail | Wayne Beeson | 10,252 |
| 1/7 Vintage Driver | Scott Whitestine | 1962 Notre Dame | 13,469 |
| 1/7 Vintage Boat | 1962 Notre Dame | Scott Whitestine | 13,469 |
Scott Whitestine swept the driver and boat titles in both 1/7 Classic and 1/7 Vintage, adding Triple Crowns in each class.
ERCU Hall of Fame
The awards closed with the club’s highest honor. The ERCU Hall of Fame recognizes members who have left a lasting mark on the club through both their contributions and their performances on the water. Three new members were inducted:
- Paxton Reunanen
- Mark Manchester
- Jim Latimer
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees.
Club business
New board seated. The new board took office Nov. 1. The 2026-27 officers are:
- Chair: Nelson Holmberg
- Race Coordinator: David Heilbrunn
- Statistician: Paxton Reunanen
- Inspector: Craig Mullen
- Secretary: Dennis Caines
- Registrar/Treasurer: Tom Markos
- At Large (Co-Inspector): Carl Lewis
The club thanks Mike McIntosh, Jerry Dunlap and Jim McKeon, who chose not to run for re-election, for their service to ERCU.
Competition Committee appointments. With Tom Markos, Dennis Caines and Carl Lewis moving from the Competition Committee to the board, three seats opened on the club’s rulemaking body. Jerry Dunlap, Mark Gran and John Havens have been appointed to join committee chair David Newton and “Gentleman” Jim Latimer.
Register your boats and renew your membership. Boat registrations are protected only until Jan. 2. After that, any boat not yet registered will be open to first-come, first-served registration by anyone. Click here to complete your membership application and boat registrations.
Rule change proposals due Nov. 15. Have an idea for the Competition Committee to consider? Submit your rule change proposal in writing on the club website by Nov. 15.
Bylaws vote coming. Changes to state law governing nonprofit bylaws require several updates to the club’s governing document. The proposed amendments are posted on the website, and members will be asked to vote on them next week. Click here to read the proposed new bylaws.
See you in 2027
Thanks again to Dustin Echols, to The Ram, and to every racer, crew member, contest director, volunteer, sponsor and fan who made 2026 ERCU’s biggest season yet. Get some rest, charge up those ideas over the winter, and we’ll see you back in the pits in 2027.
