RACE CIRCULAR: Presidents Cup, presented by Pirtek, is up next

The third race of the 2026 Skidfin Solutions Championship Series is the Presidents Cup presented by Pirtek is set for Saturday May 2, 2026, at Eileen Rinehart Riverfront Park in Ellensburg. Here is everything you need to know to get prepared for our third event of the year.
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Location
Eileen Rinehart Riverfront Park (upper pond)
1081 Umptanum Road
​Ellensburg, WA 98926
 
Contest Director
Paxton Reunanen
 
Context
The Presidents Cup is one of the most historic and prestigious trophies in all H1 Unlimited hydroplane racing and is recognized as the second-most coveted prize after the APBA Gold Cup. The darkest day in unlimited racing history occurred at the 1966 President’s Cup on the Potomac, where three legendary drivers — Ron Musson (Miss Bardahl), Rex Manchester (Notre Dame), and Don Wilson (Miss Texaco) — were killed in a single day, leading to major safety overhauls in the sport. Rex Manchester was the father of our very own Mark Manchester. Bill Muncey is the most successful driver in the cup’s history, winning six times between 1956 and 1977. Chuck Thompson won three consecutive races (1950–52) in Miss Pepsi. While the Gold Cup (established 1904) is the oldest, the President’s Cup represents a significant part of the “triple crown” of historic hydroplane racing, which also includes the H1 National High Points Championship. 
 
Registration
Pre-Registration for the Presidents Cup is now open. To find the pre-registration form, navigate your web browser to https://www.ercu-hydros.com/presidents-cup.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, May 1, 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 Director: Paxton Reunanen
• 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): Nelson Holmberg 
• 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.

• Modern 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

 
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.
 
Presidents Cup Defending Champions

• 1/10 Modern: Paxton Reunanen, 2019 Graham Trucking
• 1/7 Modern/Classic: Craig Mullen, 1972 Pay ‘n Pak
• 1/10 Classic: Paxton Reunanen, 1985 Miss Rock, KISW
• 1/10 Vintage: Paxton Reunanen, 1962 Gale’s Roostertail
• 1/7 Vintage: Jason Walters, 1972 Oh Boy Oberto

 
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. 
 
Restrooms
There are no public restroom facilities close to our race site at Eileen Rhinhart Riverfront Park. A portable bathroom will be provided and will be located on the backside of the upper pond parking lot.
 
Electricity
There is no access to electricity in the pits. It would be wise to bring a generator or other power source if you will need to charge batteries during the day.