Award winners revealed, Hall of Fame class named and Dustin Echols joins the party at The Ram
The roostertails have settled, but there’s one more ERCU event on the 2026 calendar, and it’s this Saturday.
The Ram is located at 103 35th Ave. SE, Puyallup. RSVPs are not required, but are appreciated. Please see the quick poll at the bottom of the page. We just hope to see as many of you there as possible.
The annual End of Season Celebration is Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 2 p.m. at The Ram in Puyallup. It’s a luncheon, so come hungry, and come ready to cheer. This is where the club reveals the winners of its 2026 End of Season Awards and welcomes a new class into the ERCU Hall of Fame.
A guest from the big boats
This year’s special guest is Dustin Echols, former driver of Bucket List Racing and now an analyst on the H1 Unlimited live stream. He’s seen the sport from the cockpit of a full-size unlimited and from the broadcast booth, so bring your questions.
He follows a tough act. Last year, founding members John and Dianne Earnest took the room through their decades in model boat racing, from the early days of RCU through ERCU, along with John’s lifelong love of the unlimiteds.
What’s on the line
Members sent in nominations again this year. The bylaws give the board the final say, but opening nominations to everyone makes sure the people who made this season work get recognized. Awards will be presented in seven categories:
- Rookie of the Year
- Mark Manchester Award for Sportsmanship
- Most Improved Driver
- Contest Director of the Year
- Sponsor of the Year
- Bill Mowatt Outstanding Contribution Award
- ERCU Hall of Fame
Dennis Caines leads all nominees with four nods, including Most Improved, Contest Director of the Year, Contribution and the Hall of Fame. Paul Dunlap, David Heilbrunn, Nelson Holmberg and Mike McIntosh each earned three. (See the full list of nominees in our Oct. 6 story, “And the nominees are ….”)
Can they repeat?
Several 2025 winners are back on the ballot:
- Paul Dunlap is nominated again for Sportsmanship.
- Dennis Caines is up again for Contest Director of the Year after last year’s honor for turning the Diamond Cup at Scott Lake into a full community festival.
- Chuck Murray is a Sponsor of the Year nominee again after winning last year.
- David Heilbrunn shared last year’s Contribution Award with Patty McKeon. He’s nominated again, and so are Jim and Patty McKeon together.
Another Hall of Fame class
Last year made club history. For the first time, ERCU inducted more than one member into its Hall of Fame: Paul Dunlap, Mike McIntosh, Craig Mullen and Bob Van den Akker. This year’s nominees are Dennis Caines, Jim Latimer, Mark Manchester and Paxton Reunanen. Will the club add one name or several? You’ll find out Saturday.
See you there
Whether you raced every weekend, ran a race, worked the chase boat, wrote a check or cheered from the shore, this one is for you. Bring your spouses and partners too. They made this season possible as much as anyone.
End of Season Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 7 · Noon–2 p.m. · The Ram, 103 35th Ave. SE, Puyallup.