The Detroit Memorial has become one of ERCU’s most meaningful events of the season — a day of racing dedicated to remembering and celebrating the club members and friends who helped build the organization and the sport we enjoy today.
Here’s everything you need to know to prepare for the Detroit Memorial Regatta.
LOCATION
Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course
Woodland Creek Park
6729 Pacific Avenue SE
Lacey, WA 98503
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Drivers Meeting: Approximately 9:05 a.m.
First Heat: Approximately 9:30 a.m.
All times are approximate and subject to change.
DETROIT MEMORIAL REGATTA
The Detroit Memorial Regatta was established in 2021 to memorialize and celebrate ERCU members who have passed away over the years.
Many thanks go to Brad Lewis and David Newton, whose vision and hard work helped create this special event. What began as a new race on the ERCU schedule has become a tradition — and one of the most meaningful events of the racing season.
The race also pays tribute to the history of unlimited hydroplane racing. In real-life unlimited hydroplane racing, the Detroit River Racing Association — later the Windmill Pointe Yacht Club — presented the Detroit Memorial Regatta in Detroit in either late June or early July.
Today, ERCU brings that tradition to life in scale, with some of the most recognizable unlimited hydroplanes in history competing on the Bill Mowatt Memorial Race Course.
At the 2026 Detroit Memorial Regatta, ERCU will also take time to remember and recognize three members of our racing family whom we lost during the past year: Bill Amick, Chris Denslow and Mike Schultz. Each made his own unique contribution to ERCU and the sport of radio-controlled unlimited hydroplane racing. Their friendship, passion and presence will be missed, and we are honored to celebrate their memories as part of this year’s Detroit Memorial.
RACE OFFICIALS
- Contest Director: ERCU Board of Directors
- Chief Referee — All Classes: TBA
- Drivers Representatives: TBA
- Turn Judges: First- and second-place finishers from the previous heat will judge the next heat. It is the responsibility of first- and second-place finishers to provide a replacement turn judge if they have a conflict.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Racecourse setup will take place between approximately 7:30-8 a.m.
- Practice water and on-site registration will be available from approximately 8-9 a.m.
- The mandatory drivers meeting will begin at approximately 9:05 a.m.
- Racing will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m., or no more than 10 minutes after completion of the drivers meeting.
- Three preliminary flights of heats will be run for each division.
- Consolation heats will be run depending on boat count and attrition.
- Winner-take-all finals will determine the winners of each class.
- A one-minute, 30-second start clock will be used for all racing.
- A 30-minute lunch break will be held after the second flight of heats. The club will provide lunch for all in attendance. Members should plan to provide their own food and drinks.
- Awards will be presented following completion of the day’s racing.
PRE-REGISTRATION
Pre-registration for the Detroit Memorial Regatta is open now and can be found online by clicking here.
To register, navigate to the Detroit Memorial Regatta page on the ERCU website and follow the registration instructions. Pre-registration will close at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. After the pre-registration deadline, drivers must register in person at the race site before the on-site registration deadline.
You can also find the race registration page by visiting the ERCU website and selecting Schedule, followed by Detroit Memorial Regatta.
DRIVERS MEETING
The drivers meeting is mandatory for ALL divisions and all classes. The meeting will begin at the scorer’s table within approximately five minutes of the conclusion of the testing period.
Drivers who do not attend the drivers meeting will be scratched from the first heat, regardless of whether they are pre-registered or have paid their entry fees. Drivers arriving after the drivers meeting will not be added to the event until the draw for the second flight of heats.
RACE FORMAT
Preliminary Heats
- Three preliminary flights of five-lap heats will be run for each class.
- The flight schedule will include:
- 1/10-scale modern
- 1/7-scale modern
- 1/10-scale classic
- 1/7-scale classic
- 1/10-scale vintage
- 1/7-scale vintage
Consolations
First and second consolation heats will be conducted for each class depending on boat count and attrition.
- Boats 6-10 in cumulative event points qualify for the first consolation.
- The first-consolation winner advances to the final as a trailer boat.
- The second-place boat in the first consolation is the alternate for the final.
- Boats 11-15 in cumulative event points qualify for the second consolation.
- The second-consolation winner advances to the first consolation as a front starter.
Winner-Take-All Finals
The final will consist of the top five boats in cumulative event points, plus the qualifying consolation winner as the trailer starter. The final is winner-take-all and will determine the winner of each class. The 2026 ERCU rules specify that heats are normally five laps and run counterclockwise. At the chief referee’s discretion, the number of laps may be reduced under the circumstances outlined in the ERCU rules.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
The planned flight schedule will include:
- 1/10 scale modern
- 1/7 scale modern
- 1/10 scale classic
- 1/7 scale classic
- 1/10 scale vintage
- 1/7 scale vintage
2026 ERCU INSPECTIONS
As part of ERCU’s 2026 inspection program, the inspection team will endeavor to inspect and test boats before the first race each boat runs at. Drivers should:
- Print and complete the Hull Inspection Form before arriving at the race site.
- Complete the member information at the top of page one.
- Bring a photograph of the full-size boat their model represents. A photo displayed on a phone or tablet is acceptable.
Inspection information and forms are available through the Resources section of the ERCU website (click here).
VISITING DRIVERS & ROOKIE TESTING
ERCU welcomes new members and visiting racers from other clubs. Rookie driver testing may be offered during the open-water period as needed. The racecourse will be closed during rookie driver testing. Visiting racers are welcome to compete; however, visiting racers may not take home an ERCU perpetual trophy if they win the race.
COURSE & CHASE BOAT
The racecourse will be set by 8 a.m. and then open for practice water. All drivers and crew members are expected to cooperate with race officials and course personnel throughout the event.
POST-RACE CLEANUP & AWARDS
Club equipment cleanup and re-packing the trailer will take priority following completion of racing.
Once the trailer is re-packed, awards will be presented. Awards will be presented to the first-, second- and third-place finishers. All members have a responsibility to assist with setup and breakdown of club equipment. As a courtesy to your fellow racers, please stick around for the awards presentation and celebrate the day’s competitors.
RESTROOMS
Public restrooms are available at the park and are expected to be open.
ELECTRICITY
There is no access to electricity in the pits. Drivers who need to charge batteries during the day should plan to bring a generator or other appropriate power source.
SEE YOU IN LACEY!
The Detroit Memorial Regatta is about more than racing. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the history of ERCU, remember those who helped make the club what it is today, and enjoy another day of fast electric unlimited hydroplane racing with friends, family and fellow racers.
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