Race times for tomorrow’s (Sunday) AE Baker. Testing 8.30. Race start 9.30. The water here in Taupo is calmer in the morning and plan is now to run the AE Baker before the NZ Offshore’s.

The water here in Taupo looks amazing! Make your way down the the lake waterfront to see some of the worlds fastest GP hydroplanes. Free entry this weekend.

The excitement is building as we see the biggest International line up of Grand Prix Hydroplanes in New Zealand for several years. They are with out a doubt the world’s fastest boats reaching speeds in excess of 180mph. Built in the latest design composite carbon and kevlar materials they are propelled by 510 cubic supercharged producing 2500hp in four laps of a  2000 meter oval course in less than 3 minutes. Drivers strapped into an F16 fully enclosed cockpit, fitted with roll cage and – bottom hatch allowing them to be extracted in case of an accident.

The first of a four international events will see the Grand Prix Hydroplanes take to the Great Lake in Taupo a new venue for Grand Prix Hydroplane racing, with a great line up of silverware in 2012 that any one of them would like to have in there trophy cabinet . Taupo will see Australian Grant Harrison’ GP1’  attempt to take back the  AE Baker  an Australasian Hydroplane Championship on  January 29^th this trophy has remained in New Zealand since Waverley’s Warwick Lupton ‘Annihilator’ took it off the Aussies in 2001 despite several attempts over the years to win it back it remains in New Zealand to be contested on Lake Taupo.

American driver Marty Wolfe arrives in New Zealand this week with the Johnson – Wolfe race team and their Grand Prix Hydroplane boat called ‘Renegade’. Wolfe a top driver in the USA won the 2009 American and Canadian championships , sponsored by shipping agent Peters & May and Acceleration on Water Ltd they are quietly confident that they will take the silverware home to North America. Slightly down on engine power compared to the Kiwi and Australian teams Wolfe builds his own engines is known for his driving skills and reliability. The 468ci powered Supercharged V8  Jamie Auld design hydroplane will no doubt give the kiwi and Australian teams a run for there money.

Wolfe’s Sister Elizabeth a hydroplane driver herself will also get to drive while in New Zealand. Elizabeth will drive Steve Mathieson’s Modified Hydroplane  ‘Midnight ‘at Lake Karapiro. Mathieson recently broke the Australasian water speed record at 138.189 mph and has offered his boat to Elizabeth to race in the Marsh Motor Sport Trophy a much sort after 3 litre Hydroplane Championship.

The question ‘who’ will be the 2012 UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Champion we will find out when they follow onto Lake Karapiro , Cambridge on February 4-5^th .Another top USA driver J Michael Kelly also an Unlimited Hydroplane Champion will drive Peter Knight Snrs boat ‘The Boss’. Kelly arrives in New Zealand next week, his third trip to New Zealand driving Knights boat finished  3^rd place in the 2009 UIM GP Worlds.  Peter Knight racing has built two new engines for Kelly, Knight himself a longtime legend in Grand Prix Hydroplane racing wants to see his team win the World title and 100 years of the EC Griffith Cup ,Kelly will fly back from the US to drive in the Griffith Cup  also at Lake Karapiro 3-4^th March

Current World Champion Warwick Lupton ‘Annihilator Race Boats‘ from Waverley is looking forward to the battle with the International drivers along with his team mates son Ken Lupton in ‘Annihilator 3′, cousin David Alexander in Annihilator 2 and Chris Picard driving Lupton’s original boat ‘Annihilator’. Scott Coker ‘Fair Warning’ from Otorohanga the current EC Griffith Cup holder  will line up against the strong field.

After several months testing and fine tuning, the KAR Team ( Kiwi Annihilator Racing) have left nothing to chance. Australian Brett Nidrie 2009 GP World Champion in ‘Warlord’, has had several trips to New Zealand to offer his expertise in fine tuning Kenny Lupton’s Annihilator 3. Lupton after suffering several mechanical problems last season is taking no chances ‘I want that win and I will be giving it my best shot‘ say’s Lupton.

Missing from the line up this year will be Graeme Weller ‘G-Force’ current holder of the AE Baker, Weller sold his boat to the Australian Baker family end of last season, Graeme was to drive the boat for them, but unfortunately the boat is not to be ready in time. Weller will watch from the sideline but will be race ready if the opportunity arises for him to drive.

The Grand Prix Hydroplanes will be on the water both days in Taupo January 28^th 11am -3pm they are based in front of the Taupo Yacht Club, January 29^th there will be two sessions for the Hydroplanes 10-11am & 2-5pm. 12 midday will see the first round of the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Series

The Demon Monster truck will try out the course as this Monster crushing vehicle is now preparing for the World record for the longest distance a Monster truck can go in the water. The World record attempt will be at Lake Karapiro 3-4^th March when Acceleration on Water will host 100 years of the EC Griffiths Cup an Australasian Unlimited Unrestricted Championship

New Zealand Formula One Powerboat tour begins at Lake Karapiro with a four round series . A good line up of Formula One tunnels reaching speeds of 140 mph battle it out in ten laps on  a triangle course. 2011 Champion Luke Sharp ‘Promt Parts’ will have to be on his game when he comes up against Malcolm Jamieson ‘KRB Racing’ and Julian Stillwell ‘Scott Construction’ both from the South Island. The second round of the New Zealand Formula One Powerboat Tour will also be at Karapiro 3-4^th March before heading south to Lake Rotoiti March 17-18^th with the final round at Lake Kaniere 7-8^th April.

Four times world Jet Boat River Marathon champion Mark Cromie will be at Lake Karapiro with his new Turbine Jet Powered boat as he continues to fine tune his boat before shipping to America end of February for the 2012 UIM World Jet Boat Marathon. John Derry ‘Mother Energy’ recently taking out NZ1 will line up against Cromie and Tauranga’s ‘Coastline Marine’ driver Ben Quinn.

An excellent line up of support classes will see Modified Hydroplanes, Formula 2 & 3 Tunnels, and racing runabouts Pro-Com, Pro-stock and more.

The Grand Prix Hydroplanes racing continues at Lake Karapiro, 4-5^th February Masport NZ UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship, Lake Karapiro 3-4^th March Masport NZ 100 years EC Griffith Cup, Mangere Bridge, and Auckland 24-25th March 87^th Masport Cup.

The events proudly sponsored by Masport NZ, Acceleration on Water Ltd. Peters & May Shipping ,Waipa District Council & Taupo District Council

Event details are posted on the website www.accelerationonwater.co.nz  or www.hydroplane.co.nz

Denise Moughan

This season we will have 2012 Event T-Shirts for sale. These will be available at Taupo, AE Baker Event this weekend, at the UIM World Champs in February and at the EC Griffith Cup in March. If you would like to preorder one of these contact denise at denise@accelerationonwater.co.nz The T-Shirt’s come in Black or White. Kids T’s will be available also, along with women’s T’s. The women’s T’s will not have the large print on the back, but will have logos on the front and sleeves and the Acceleration web address on the back along the bottom. T-Shirt are $25.00 each.

Two time New Zealand Jetboat Marathon Champ John Derry joins former NZ and World Champ Mark Cromie at Lake Karapiro on the 4th and 5th February. Both teams will have there turbine powered machines with them.

Event preview: Round One proudly bought to you by Milano’s Italian Restaurant @ 34 Tuwharetoa Street Taupo& The Taupo District Council, Thunder on the Lake Offshore Powerboat race start 12pm

International Grand Prix Hydroplanes included in the event this year will be on the water both days January 28^th 11am -3pm they are based in front of the Taupo Yacht Club, January 29^th there will be two sessions for the Hydroplanes 10-11am & 2-5pm.

The excitement is building as we are only days out from the first race of eight races in the 2012 race series for the Offshore Powerboat Championship Series. The events proudly sponsored by Milano’s Italian Restaurant, Taupo District Council are happy to come on board with NZ Offshore & the Acceleration on Water Management team to host this first round.

After a successful 2011 season seeing Fairview Windows & Doors (Warren Lewis & Chris Hanley) taking out the Super boat Class and Overall first placing of the series, spent the winter making some changes to the super boat hull to improve the turning, We will see Warren team up with Andrew ‘Flea’Koolen who is stepping up from his last seasons drive in NZ Blokes Superlight to join Warren. Last season driver Chris Hanley will now re- join Tony Coleman ex ‘Cure Kids” with new sponsor ‘Fujistu better heat’. Tony has not raced for the past two seasons and he is excited about getting back into his super boat.

It will be a battle in the super boat class one not to miss as ‘Schick Hydro’ Scott Lewis and Murray Tuffin team up again in there quest to take NZ1. Schick Hydro is proud to be associated with the charity @hart for the Tauranga race to raise funds and awareness of this charity.

Mike Gerbic and Alan Branch first time out in their Super boat light ‘Espresso engineers”( the ex NZ Blokes)  previously drove a Bat Boat in the Super 60 class have moved up to take on the big guys. Mark Diggleman previously from Taurnaga will drive Gerbic‘s bat boat in the super 60 class.

Several father and son teams will take to the Sulphur point course Bob & Alexander Smith in ‘Triple Trouble moving down from his NZ Blokes to the Sports 60 restricted class, Glen & Chris Powell ‘Back2Bay6’ also driving a Bat Boat, Colin & Corey Dunn ‘CRD Automotive moving from Honda class to sports 60 restricted also.

A new Konica Minolta boat a 6x 19 Force powered by and evinrude will see Mike Smith team up with Adam Smale this season, the boat  owned by stalwart Greg Brink will oversea these young drivers this season.

Auckland District Collections driven by Mike Knight also re powered moves up to Sports 60 restricted. Jono Hanley teams up with sister Ashleigh  ex marine Works is now proudly sponsored by Energizer is looking forward what’s shaping up to be a great season.

The first race of the season is always exciting and a little bit nerve racking when they line up against old and new rivals after a few months off. Two races are run at the same time with Super boats and Super boat lights completing 100 mile race and the other classes completing 60 miles. The race will start at 12pm (midday) and usually takes and hour for the two races to be completed.

The Offshore teams will be based at the North croft reserve and the Hydroplane teams in front of the Taupo Yacht Club.

An added extra to the Offshore event this year is the Grand Prix Hydroplanes, they will be competing on Sunday for the AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship, we have two International teams GP1 Grant Harrison from Australia and Renegade, Marty Wolfe from USA, these teams arrive into NZ next week and will use Taupo as there testing and to check out the driving skills of the Kiwi teams before travelling to Lake Karapiro 4-5^th February for the UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship proudly sponsored by Masport NZ. Current World Champion Warwick Lupton ‘Annihilator Race Boats ‘ from Waverley is looking forward to the battle with the International drivers along with his team mates son Ken Lupton ‘Annihilator 3, cousin David Alexander Annihilator 2 and Chris Picard driving Lupton’s original boat ‘Annihilator. Scott Coker ‘Fair warning’ from Otorohanga will line up against the strong field. The event will also see other circuit racing boats, Formula 2 Tunnels and mixed class racing.

The Demon Monster truck to will try out the course as this Monster crushing vehicle is now preparing for the World record for the longest distance a Monster truck can go in the water. The World record attempt will be at Lake Karapiro 3-4^th March when Acceleration on Water will host 100 years of the EC Griffiths Cup and Australasian Unlimited Unrestricted Championship

The NZOPA acknowledge the support of Milano’s & Taupo District Council, associated sponsors Acceleration on water Ltd, Marine Works, Marine Paramedics ,Pitch Bar, Heliska,Dean Collins, M21,Senjo,Penny Homes, Ssansyong NZ,Cooper Liddington, TSR Motors,JR Wade, Steiner Moses Engineering, Central Trim,Harcourts Taupo,Terrys tyres, Elite Auto Spray, Wholesale Vehicles, Concrete & kirbs,Skelton marine,Farmlands,Morrell Motors, DPA, Ingham Motor Group, Wings & Wheels.

Event details are posted on the NZOPA website www.nzoffshore.co.nz  or, www.accelerationonwater.co.nz , NZGP www.hydroplane.co.nz

The Offshore Powerboat event racing continues at Gisborne 4^th February, Beach lands 18^th February, Napier 17^th March, Whitianga 31^st March, Wellington 17^th April, final in Auckland 28^th April.

The Grand Prix Hydroplanes racing continues at Lake Karapiro, 4-5^th February, Lake Karapiro 3-4^th march, Mangere Bridge, Auckland 24-25^th March.

For further information contact Denise Moughan denise@accelerationonwater.co.nz  mobile:0272503504

Denise Moughan

www.accelerationonwater.co.nz

Click on the poster to see event ticket pricing for the 2012 UIM World GP Hydroplane Champs to be held at Lake Karapiro.

If you are looking for Motel accommodation in Cambridge for the GP World, Riverside Cambridge have a few rooms left. call them on 07 8276069 ask for Kaye or email riverside@clear.net.nz .

Check out www.fastwater.com.au for more info.