2026 ERCU Championship Series
Bernie Little Memorial
Gissberg Twin Lakes Park — North Lake • Marysville, Wash.
DateSaturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Contest DirectorBob Van den Akker & Mike McIntosh
Drivers MeetingApproximately 9:15 a.m.
First HeatApproximately 9:30 a.m.
Bernie Little (1926-2003) was the most successful owner in unlimited hydroplane racing history. His Miss Budweiser team won 134 of the 354 races it entered. Miss Budweiser won the high points championship 22 years in 40 years of competition, and the APBA Gold Cup 14 times.
His first victory came on the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities in 1966 at the Columbia Cup. Little’s team is also known for making an enclosed driver’s cockpit to improve driver safety. Little has been inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994.
Bernie supported RC hydroplane racing across the country for many years, and even sponsored R/C Unlimited fo a few years. His significant contributions to the sport will never be forgotten. Due to shortening the ERCU racing schedule to 10 races in 2019, the Bernie Little Memorial was put on hiatus and brought back for the 2023 racing season.
Race Format
- POINTS RACE: Winners of vintage classes will be determined by the most cumulative points earned during the course of the day.
- In ALL OTHER CLASSES, winners will be determined by winner-take-all final heats
- 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 #3
2026 race stats
2026 Race Results
1/10 Scale Modern Class
- Riley Christy, 1992 Smokin' Joe's
- Mike Dunn, 2011 Miss Albert Lee
- David Newton, 2006 Miss Emcor
- Brian Perkins, 2016 All-Access Rentals
DNFNelson Holmberg, 2015 Graham Trucking ^
DNFChuck Clendenen, 1991 Winston Eagle
1/10 Scale Classic Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 1983 Miss Rock KISW
- David Newton, 1971 Country Boy (Owner: Tom Markos)
- Jim Latimer, 1986 Horizon Air
- Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark & Pak
DNFNelson Holmberg, 1986 Squire Shop Brittania
DNSJim Hagan, 1984 American Speedy Printing
1/10 Scale Vintage Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 1965 Gales Roostertail
- Jerry Dunlap, 1964 Miss Exide
- Wayne Beeson, 1967 Gales Roostertail
- Bill Smiley, 1955 Miss Thriftway
DNFChuck Murray, 1968 Miss Smirnoff ^
DNFDavid Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
1/7 Scale Modern Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 2023 Beacon Plumbing
- John Sjostrom, 2003 Miss Chrysler Jeep
- David Heilbrunn, 2024 Goodman Real Estate
- John Havens Jr., 1991 American Spirit
1/7 Scale Classic Class
- Gale Whitestine, 1975 Weisfields
- Mike McIntosh, 1973 Red Man
- Wayne Beeson, 1978 Miss Mark & Pak ^
DNFMike Gossler, 1977 Squire
DNFCraig Mullen, 1971 Pride of Pay 'n Pak
DNSScott Whitestine, 1972 Notre Dame
1/7 Scale Vintage Class
- Paxton Reunanen, 1982 Miss Island Security Systems
- David Heilbrunn, 1965 Blue Chip
- John Havens Jr., 1962 Miss U.S. 1
- Mark Manchester, 1966 Notre Dame ^
DNFRon Manchester, 1960 Miss Spokane
DNFScott Whitestine, 1962 Notre Dame
^
– Trailer boat
bernie little memorial all-time results
1/10 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners2004–2026
- 20041957 Maverick. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20051960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20061968 Miss Bardahl. Owner: Roger Newton. Driver: David Newton. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20071969 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20081972 Miss Timex. Owner/Driver: Jason Hartley. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
- 20091972 Miss Timex. Owner/Driver: Jason Hartley. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20101972 Miss Van's PX. Owner/Driver: Mark Hansen. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20111957 Hawaii Kai III. Owner: Ben Keller. Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Lake Tye Park, Monroe
- 20121960 Miss Burien. Owner/Driver: Robbie Roberts. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20131971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20141961 Thunderbolt. Owner/Driver: Steve Dumanis. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
- 20151971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Alice Joy, Snohomish
- 20161971 Miss Madison. Owner/Driver: Ron Forister. Location: Lake Waughop, Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
- 2017No race
- 20181960 Miss Thriftway. Owner/Driver: Kerry Kjos. Location: Lake Waughop, Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
- 20231960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241960 Miss Thriftway. Owner: Kerry Kjos. Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20251964 Miss Exide. Owner/Driver: Jerry Dunlap. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20261965 Gales Roostertail. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
1/10 Scale Classic Class Race Winners2023–2026
- 20231983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20251983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20261983 Miss Rock, KISW. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
1/10 Scale Modern Class Race Winners2004–2026
- 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
- 20061974 Country Boy. Owner/Driver: Mike Campbell. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20071972 Notre Dame. Owner/Driver: Mark Hansen. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20081978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
- 20091978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20101978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Bellevue Downtown Park, Bellevue
- 20111978 Miss Circus Circus. Owner/Driver: Mike Gossler. Location: Lake Tye Park, Monroe
- 20122010 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Craig Bradshaw. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20132013 Graham Trucking. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20142011 Valken. Owner/Driver: JimmeJames Cusworth. Location: Pipe Lake, Cherokee Bay, Maple Valley
- 20151999 Miss Madison. Owner: Ron Forister. Driver: Walter Roberts. Location: Lake Alice Joy, Snohomish
- 20161982 Oh Boy! Oberto. Owner/Driver: Brad Lewis. Location: Lake Waughop. Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
- 2017No race
- 20182011 Valken. Owner/Driver: JimmeJames Cusworth Location: Lake Waughop. Fort Steilacoom Park, Lakewood
- 20232023 Bucket List Racing Team. Owner/Driver: Nelson Holmberg. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20242019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20252019 Graham Trucking American Dream. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20261992 Smokin' Joe's. Owner: Chuck Clendenen. Driver: Riley Christy. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
1/7 Scale Vintage Class Race Winners2023–2026
- 20231958 Hawaii Kai III. Owner/Driver: David Newton. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20241982 Island Security Systems. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20251982 Island Security Systems. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20261982 Island Security Systems. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
1/7 Scale Classic Class Race Winners2023–2026
- 20231982 Gilmore Special. Owner/Driver: Rob Edwards. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20261975 Weisfields. Owner/Driver: Gale Whitestine. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
1/7 Scale Modern Class Race Winners2023–2026
- 20231980 Pay 'n Pak. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20242023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Mike McIntosh. Location: Lake Sacajawea Park, Longview
- 20252010 Peters & May. Owner/Driver: Tyler McKeon. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville
- 20262023 Beacon Plumbing. Owner/Driver: Paxton Reunanen. Location: Gissberg Twin Lakes Park, Marysville