New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club Inc

PO Box 54-061 Buck land’s Beach

Email: whit@ihug.co.nz

MAY 2004

Certainly getting our fair share of bad weather at the moment I guess it had to come sometime. Just as well the summer circuit of racing is now over. I am sure their will be a lot going on in the Blokes Sheds over the winter months , rebuilding boats, and engines.

Time to reflect back on the 2003-04 season the good and the bad as we all start getting together for Our AGM, Clubs, Zone and Executive Meetings over the next few months.

And dates for the 2004-05 seasons are beginning to be sorted out. Let’s hope that a lot of thought is put in to dates, our safety issues, and where we want the sport to go in 2005.

The Sport has taken some big steps forward this season which is great to see, may it continue into the next season.

Obituary

On a sad note the NZGP Club would like to pay our respects to Ivan Payne who sadly passed away late February. Ivan was a great guy and we appreciated the help and support he gave this Club as Race Controller at our events over the pass few years. Our thoughts and wishes to Viv and her family, we will treasurer the special memories that he has left with us.

The “Scott wood NZ Speedboat Nationals” & AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championships Lake Karapiro.

The last big event on the calendar for the 2003-04 Race season saw the best circuit racing had to offer at the NZ Speedboat Nationals held at Lake Karapiro over Easter weekend.

55 boats fronted for (9) New Zealand Championship titles. The spectators were on their feet as they saw some deck to deck racing in the Formula One and Grand National classes. Alan Dennis (California Girls) had a horrific crash after two previous collisions on the same day. California Girls broke apart after a barrel roll in a corner; the boat was destroyed in the crash.

Boss Mobil One Selywn Coker took out the Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship from Formula One driver John Herzog.

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Warwick Lupton driving Annihilator: broke a blower belt in the Grand Prix Championship came back to win the King of the Nationals. Team member David Alexander Annihilator 2: broke a steering cable while testing causing the boat to flat spin.

Warlord again failed to show its true potential when it was plagued with engine problems. Annihilator 3: Kenny Lupton Racing broke a prop. Ken Lupton the youngest GP driver in the World took the boat out both days for testing. Steve Rosewarne has been racing the boat for Ken this season. Young Lupton will spend the winter learning to drive his GP boat and looks likely to give his father a few lessons next season.

The feature race on the second day AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship came down to race times. Annihilator Warwick Lupton won the first heat from Boss Mobil One Selywn Coker. In the second heat Lupton’s boat dropped off the plane at the start causing him to miss the start, he was forced to chase Boss Mobil One who held a ½ lap lead on him. Lupton came through the field to finish second. Both boats had the same points over the two heats it then came down to race times. Boss Mobil One took the win with a time of 6.28.91 Annihilator a close second 6.33.11. Third Scorpion the Woods brothers from Wellington and Hang on Rex Henderson from Otorohanga were fourth.

NZ Championship results

NZ Grand Prix NZ Grand National

Boss Mobil One Selywn Coker Hang On Rex Henderson

Ocean bridge John Herzog Predator Janine White

Twister Peter& Ian Thomas Renegade Malcolm Wotton

NZ Modified Hydroplane NZ Formula 3 Tunnel

Little Cracker Alan Lewis Howzat Scott Coker

Predator Peter White Tunnel Vision Anthony Robertson

Avalanche Tony Hall Holiday Outboards Jeff Norris

NZ Formula One NZ Series 3000

Ocean bridge John Herzog Shockwave Brett Mercer

Humminbird Luke Sharp Buckshot John Hallett

VDO Steve Hughes Sultan Ian Warmington

NZ Pro-stock NZ Pro-Com

Cut Loose Gary Gregory Cut Loose Gary Gregory

Shockwave Brett Mercer Innocent Victim Dave Harris

Beetle Juice Malcolm Packer Buckshot John Hallett

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Canadian Trophy

Cambridge /Waikato 2100 pts Bay of Plenty 450 pts

New Brighton 400 pts New Brighton 400 pts

Southland 300 pts Southland 300 pts

Wellington 1950 pts

Manukau /Auckland 1450 pts

Geyserland 825 pts

Jack Trenouth Best Presented Team

This trophy was donated by the Trenouth Family in memory of Jack, Teams are judged on the following, presentation of their boat and team, their attitude, how they treat other competitors and how they are with the public. All are very important issues on how Sponsors and public see our sport. A lot of thought went into this award for this year and the results were as follows:

(1^st) California Girls 2 (2) Renegade (3) Predator

Congratulations to all the winners over the weekend, a special thank you to Brian & Rose Ralton, Craig Varcoe , Anthony Robertson, and Alan Goodsir his family and sponsors, Steve & Linda Pope and Peter Knight for coming to karapiro. It was great to have you in the North Island and we all enjoyed your company. I know that some of you also attended BOP event the following weekend and also enjoyed their hospitality.

Unfortunately their was a lot of damage to boats over the weekend as well, not just engine damage. A few with big holes, a fire and one boat destroyed. Not a nice way to finish off the season. This brings to our attention a few safety issues that need to be improved on.

Special thanks : To the many people who give up their day to work in the Pits, Ramp, Race Control, Rescue Craft, Starters, Flags, put the course out and bring it in, all these jobs make the event run smoothly. These people are volunteers, they sometimes get a little abuse during the day but they keep coming back and offer their help.

The GP Club appreciate all the support and work that you have all done for this club at our events this past season.

Sponsors

Thanks heaps to the many sponsors that supported this event, our Major Sponsor Scott wood Group, Waipa District Council, NZ Quality Waters, Eaton NZ, ANZDL, Hamilton Laminates, Cambridge Tavern, Porter Group, Mike Roger Upholstery Services, 4 Guys Auto barn, Motor Preparations, Hy Drive Andrew Fink Marine, and Coker Trailers.

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EC Griffith Cup

The date has again changed since the last Newsletter it is now 29-30^th May at Wiseman’s Ferry. We have expressed the Clubs disappointment that they will be running this Unlimited Unrestricted Championship on restricted water, the constant change of date, and the lack of information supplied about the event, but with no avail. The Annihilator Teams have made the decision not to attend this year EC Griffith Cup.

The Warlord Team is the only New Zealand Team attending this year. We wish them luck and hope they can bring the cup back to NZ.

General Information

Robert Antony: By now most of you would have heard that Robert had a very bad accident at BOP event at Lake Rotoma in his boat ‘My Way”. Robert is in Rotorua hospital and will be their for some weeks yet. He is progressing very slowly. We wish him all the best in his recovery and our support and thoughts are with Roberts’s wife Julie and their family.

A collection was taken at Rotoma at Sunday’s briefing and many clubs have sent money to help the family as they spend many weeks in Rotorua. If you wish to help please send your donation to the Dennis Dustin 2 Russell Cres Rotorua and they will pass this onto the family.

Northern Zone Meeting: The Northern Zone AGM will be held at the Lodge at Lake Karapiro on the 22^nd May starting at 1pm. afterwards we are having a get together BYO Barbeque food and refreshments. You can stay in the Lodge the night for $ 15 per person, please book this with Denise if you haven’t already.

Kilo Trials: Cambridge Waikato Club are holding a Kilo this coming weekend May 9^th at 6.30am start, rather earlier but you have to be to beat the duck shooters.

Geyserland AGM: Saturday 15^th May 2pm at 15 Kahu St Mangakino, BYO Barbeque afterwards.

Website: Phil Marshall and his family are off to live in Aussie, so he will not be doing the website when he leaves. Thanks Phil for all your help and the job that you have done.

I believe the Executive are asking for tenders for someone to take over the running of the site.

Update : As I am nearly finished this letter their has been an update on Roberts condition, Tuesday he was moved to the Spinal Unit at Burwood Christchurch. The Doctors are very concerned about his condition.

Thanks: I would like to say thanks to my kids Whitney & Jason for all their help and support they have given me over this past season, I have been away from home quiet a bit up down the country organising events. Special thanks to Warwick & David who gave me the opportunity to do this job full time I really do appreciate all of your support.

That’s about it for now; on behalf of the NZGP Hydroplane Drivers Club. If you have any information you wish to submit to our Newsletter please contact Denise

Thanks & Regards

Denise Moughan

© New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club 1984 - 2009