News July 2007

29th July - Glenvale Driver of the Year

David Alexander of the GP008 Annihilator Boat was last night named the Glenvale Driver of the Year for the New Zealand Power Boat Association.

The Award was the Major Announcement of a very entertaining Night
The Southland Club must be praised for what has been said by many who have attended a large number of Conferences over the Years for providing a well run venue with an exceptional Meal and Entertainment to help celebrate the Southland Club's 60th Anniversary

28th July - NZPBA Conference

Vice President Tony Latimer, Past President Jamie Knight, President Warwick Lupton & Secretary Raewyn Palmer ponder on what they have got themselves involved with.

A new Broom has swept through the top table with Clubs voting in Warwick Lupton as President and Tony Latimer as Vice President. together at the top table is Treasurer Shirley Wotton, Secretary Raewyn Palmer, Southern Zone Reps Ben & John Ryan, Central Zone Reps Tony Hall & Andrea Robinson, Northern Zone Reps Alan Dennis & Denise Moughan.

With This team comes the Big Proposal of pushing through the Paid Promotional Officer which was past by the majority of the Clubs. Scenicland and Lake Kaniere were the two clubs who wished it known that they Objected to the Proposal.

The NZPBA will negotiate a deal with a promotional officer to initially for this coming season fund and help run a two round National Series at Lake Karapiro on 9th & 10th February and Lake Rotoiti on March 8th & 9th. The New Brighton Club suggested that Denise Moughan is already doing a role like this for the NZGP Club and suggested that she should be one of the first people to turn too for such a role. The NZGP Club also see it as beneficial to having one person do the Work so hopefully an arrangement will be made. If proven a success it is hoped that this will extend to at least 4 or 6 major regattas for the following Season.

Website's were discussed and there is to be a plan formatted to shortly on the future of the NZPBA Site.

Clubs will still be invited to submit proposals on the future of the National Series just like they were this year however only one Individual from the Manakau/Auckland Club submitted ideas on last seasons Nationals at this years Conference. It is Hoped that next year the Nationals will be set well before the end of the season so everyone will know in advance where they stand.

Some Clubs have had to make Changes to their proposed dates to accommodate others and some are yet to finalize their Dates now due to the Changes a Proposed Calendar will be placed on the site tomorrow night, in the Meantime here are the Major Regatta Dates that are set. More Details of the events at each regatta to be finalised but of Note is the fact that the Boats traveling North could make it a two week trip by going to Downtown & Lake Karapiro and the Boats going South could make it a two week trip with Lake Rotoiti and Lake Kaniere

October 27th - 28th Southland Regatta.
December 8th - 9th Geyserland Regatta.
January 12th New Brighton Regatta.
January 19th - 20th Manawatu Regatta.
February 2nd - 3rd Downtown Regatta.
February 9th - 10th Karapiro Nationals Regatta.
March 8th - 9th Lake Rotoiti Nationals Regatta.
March 15th - 16th Lake Kaniere Regatta.
March 22nd - 23rd Wellington Regatta.
April 5th Scenicland Regatta.
April 12th - 13th Bay of Plenty Regatta.
April 19th - 20th Wairarapa Regatta.
April 26th Lake D Formula One Regatta.

Wanganui Club and Auckland Manukau Club both planned to run on March 1st - 2nd but Wanganui pulled out and are yet to decide on an event or if they once more team up with Downtown. Manakau/Auckland didn't like the idea of running just a week before the nationals round in the south Island and will most likely try for a change of Date depending on Tides etc. There will always be a conflict with Clubs and Dates and sometimes these things need to be worked through.

The Matt Morrison Race was discussed and the Executive decided to annul the results of the race this year and have decreed that the Trophy will be held on an OPEN WATER Course yet to be decided. Most likely at one of the National Rounds. This event this past season was held at Wairarapa and after winning Heat 1 Mike Denham was a sure thing to win the title but in Heat 2 on lap 1 his Boat blew over backwards and the race was called off to attend to Mikes Injuries after the Incident the other Drivers were asked if they wanted to continue but all said no, The Wairarapa Club then awarded the Matt Morrison to Mike Denham but this has now officially been overturned. It is not a slight on Mike or the Club but it is felt to be the right course due to the various rules of the running of the race.
We all certainly expect Mike to Win this event as soon as his Boat and Body are willing.

23rd July - H20 Magazine
There are a number of very good shots of the Unlimited Hydroplane Class from the USA on the H2O Forum Site just follow the Link below to see them.


This particular series has had a number of Blow Over's in the races of late and you could probably catch a video clip of some of the races on there site below as well as Photos of the flips etc.

14th July - Wanganui Coastguard Fundraiser

The Annihilator GP008 Boat of David Alexander was at the Fundraiser and as per usual made quite a bit of Noise. David and Warwick fired the Boat up for a final time at the end of the Day


Warwick took out a Spinning Jenny Prize of a Chook a Bottle of Wine a Box of Choccies and a Large Bag of Onions - And Duncan Wilson from Waitotara had his Superboat Jet Sprinter on Display he is stepping up to the Big Boys this coming Season.

11th July - Wanganui Coastguard Fundraiser

The Annihilator GP008 Boat of David Alexander will be on Display at the Wanganui Racecourse on Saturday July 14th as part of the Festivities supporting the Wanganui Volunteer Coastguard who trying to raise funds for a new Boat to replace the aging one currently nearing the end of its life span.

8th July - World Jet Boat Marathon

It looks like Disappointment for Mark Cromie in the World Championships going into the final leg he held a 9 - 10 minute lead but disaster struck when he broke the impeller blades on the Circuit Race he limped to the jetty and the Team changed the blades but 4 minutes in time were lost. The rules say that to be classed as a finisher in the leg you must be within 40% of the fastest in Class and Mark was unable to meet this time so got credited with a DNF Time which looks to have cost him the Championship by just a few Seconds. Neville Kelly did well to come Second, all the Drivers had problems which would have cost them time so Neville cant be to disappointed by only being 4 seconds behind.

Overall Results
U399 Dale Whiteside 5:51:41
U376 Neville Kelly, NZ 5:51:46
A299 Alex Robinson 5:55:18
U354 Mark Cromie, NZ 5:55:59
A275 Glen Freeland 5:56:13
A6 Neil Ross, NZ 6:09:40
SJ07 Bob Hug 9:22:02

U Class
U399 Dale Whiteside 5:51:41
U376 Neville Kelly, NZ 5:51:46
U354 Mark Cromie, NZ 5:55:59

A Class
A299 Alex Robinson 5:55:18
A275 Glen Freeland 5:56:13
A6 Neil Ross, NZ 6:09:40

B Class
B25 Daniel Anderson, NZ 6:29:51
B126 Karey Crawford 6:31:03
B166 Mike Rowe 6:42:34


The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club wants to congratulate all ten NZ Teams and their supporters who traveled to Canada to Compete.

8th July - Quality Hotel Plymouth Taranaki Tarmac Rally 2007

5th July - EC Griffith Cup on Sky TV Reminder

This Programme is a little different from the normal Race Coverage and takes on a Documentary Feel apparently its pretty good stuff from the Telesport Team.
The EC Griffith Cup will screen on Sky Tv on July 6th, 7th & 10th.
Screening Times are:
Friday 6th July 6.30pm on Sky Sports One.
Saturday 7th July 10.00am on Sky Sports One.
Tuesday 10th July 7.30pm on Sky Sports Two.

4th July - Jet Boat World Championship Marathon
Results are hard to come by but it looks like Mark Cromie is fighting for the Lead with just Four Race Days left to run.

3rd July - EC Griffith Cup on Sky TV Reminder

The EC Griffith Cup will screen on Sky Tv on July 6th, 7th & 10th.
Screening Times are:
Friday 6th July 6.30pm on Sky Sports One.
Saturday 7th July 10.00am on Sky Sports One.
Tuesday 10th July 7.30pm on Sky Sports Two.

3rd July - Oops

Right now I reckon this Guy wishes his boat had a Cell

Posted this Shot last month after being sent the image. had a Response from the Boat owners Brother who informs us that the Boat does indeed have a Cell now and is performing Nicely

Thanks
Scott Thompson
Can/Am 41
PS 41

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