RACE CIRCULAR: Champion Spark Plug Regatta

The first race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Champion Spark Plug Regatta, set for Saturday March 28, 2026, at Vance Creek Park in Elma. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our first event of the year.
 
Location
76 Wenzel Slough Road, Elma, WA 98563
 
Contest Directors
Jerry Dunlap & Paul Dunlap
 
Context
For many years the season opening event for H1 Unlimited was always the Champion Spark Plug Regatta.  20 of 22 ERCU seasons have likewise began with the Champion Spark Plug Regatta and again this year, the tradition continues.  
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Champion Spark Plug Regatta is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to www.ercu-hydros.com/champion-spark-plug-regatta.html, where you will find the pre-registration link in a blue box just under the header photo. You may also pre-pay your entry fees online by following at 10 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026. PayPal directions at the bottom of the page. Pre-registration will close After that deadline, please register in person on site before 8:30 a.m.
 
Race Officials

• Contest Directors: Jerry Dunlap, Paul Dunlap
• Chief Referee (1/10 modern & 1/7 modern): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/10 classic & 1/7 classic): TBA
• Chief Referee (1/10 vintage & 1/7 vintage): TBA
• Drivers Representative: TBA
• Turn Judges: First and second place finishers from the previous heat will turn judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first and second place finishers to send a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.

 
What to Expect
(All times approximate, and subject to change)

• Racecourse will be set between 7:30-8 a.m.
• Practice water and on-site registration 8-9 a.m.
• Mandatory drivers meeting 9:05-9:30 a.m.
• Racing begins 9:30 a.m. (or maximum of 10 minutes after completion of drivers meeting)
• One minute-30 second start clock will be used for all racing.
• A 20-to-30-minute lunch break will be held, exact time TBD. Participants should plan to provide their own lunch.

 
Race Format

• Three preliminary heats of five laps each for vintage, classic and modern classes.
• First and second consolation for both divisions and all 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 #1

 
Flight Schedule

• 1/10 scale modern
• 1/7 scale modern
• 1/10 scale classic
• 1/7 scale classic
• 1/10 scale vintage
• 1/7 scale vintage

 
Heat Draws
Heat draws will be completed just prior to the drivers meeting. The first heat draw will be conducted at approximately 9 a.m. and will be read verbally at the drivers meeting as a roll call. Succeeding heat draws will be conducted between flights. All heat draws will be printed and posted, and displayed on the TV screen, whenever possible. No re-draws of heats will be done.
 
Starting Clock
A 1-minute 30-second clock will start as soon as all drivers are in the driving area and will not be stopped for any reason other than health or safety (including stubborn waterfowl). Please plan ahead for your upcoming heats, including getting your own spotter, and be ready when the chase boat comes back. A trailer boat shall not cross the start line less than five seconds after the start gun. Rookie drivers who have not yet earned 1,200 career points must start from the trailer position.
 
Race Day Morning
It will be our intent to have the course open by 8 a.m. so that testing can commence once boats are registered for the event. Boat owners should prepare to have time for inspections and to be ready to race. The water will be open for testing until approximately 9 a.m. 
 
Drivers Meeting
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes and will begin at the scorer’s table within five minutes of the closing of time trials. Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat regardless of whether they are pre-registered and pre-paid. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
 
2025 Champion Spark Plug Regatta Champions

• 1/10 Modern: 2019 Graham Trucking, Paxton Reunanen.
• 1/10 Classic: 1976 Atlas Van Lines, Nelson Holmberg
• 1/10 Vintage: 1960 Gales Roostertail, Paxton Reunanen
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: 1972 Notre Dame, Scott Whitestine
• 1/7 Vintage: 1967 Miss U.S. 5, Mike McIntosh

NOTE: Paxton and his 2019 Graham Trucking have a three-year Champion Spark Plug Regatta championship streak active, having won the last three races 2023, 2024 & 2025.
 
Inspections
In 2026, ERCU inspection team will endeavor to inspect/test all boats before the first race each boat runs at. Please print out the Hull Inspection Form, found on the “Resources” tab of the club website (www.ercu-hydros.com) and complete the member information at the top of page one prior to arriving at the race site. Please also remember to bring a photo of the real boat (a photo on your phone or tablet is acceptable) that your boat models.

Visiting drivers
ERCU welcomes new members to the club and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing will be offered during the open water period or lunch break as needed. The course will be closed for rookie driver tests. Visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy, in the event they win the race.

Post-Race Cleanup and Awards Presentation
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority once the race is over. Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place finishers. In the event that the club has perpetual trophies for a race, those will also be presented at the end of the day. All members have a responsibility to help with set up and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation whether you’ve won one or not. 
 
Race Day Raffle
​We’ll conduct a 50/50 raffle and drawing at the Champion Spark Plug Regatta. The club will be giving away two (lightly used) JBL Party Box On the Go bluetooth PA systems at the drawing will be following the post-race awards celebration. Half of the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will be available to the first winner drawn. That person would have the option to choose one of the Party Boxes or the money. Second and third winners will have choices of the remaining items. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the race day to participate in this drawing.
 
Restrooms
There are no public restroom open on site at Vance Creek Park. Sanicans are provided by Grays Harbor County and are expected to be open.
 
Electricity
There is no electricity provided at Vance Creek Park. It is recommended to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.