News April - May 2006

28th May - Kilo News Unofficial Times

It was a just a tad bit Foggy this morning and even after a long wait for the Fog to lift you can see above on "Renegade's" first run it was still pretty hard see.

18 Boats were on hand to set times with Malcolm Wotton "Renegade" and Steve Mathieson"Midnight" going for Australasian records so they had the honor of being first up. Sadly there times were not fast enough to break the records and despite making many changes to there Boats and engines they just didn't quite make the speed needed to break the records.


Scott Coker "Fair Warning" set a record for Grand National Hydroplanes at 138.04mph breaking the old record held by Selwyn Coker of 135.572mph


There were a few Northern Zone Records Broken including "Anti Cyclone" setting a Mod VP speed of 87.108mph


Perhaps the luckiest competitor was Brody Mathieson in "Meridian" who on his first run up the river didn't have the Water Hose connected to the rudder for well over the second half of the kilo as can be seen in the above image. Brody stopped after the first pass to check after the gauges indicated something was amiss and refitted the Hose and continued the second part of the run to set a time of 104.787mph. Brody later returned to do a 102.52 time as well

17th May - News

The Eaton UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championships will screen on Sky TV in June below are the Dates that the Screenings will be on.

15th June 7.30 pm Sky Sport 1
15th June 11.30 pm Sky Sport 2
16th June 6.30pm Sky Sport 2
17th june 10.30am Sky Sport 2
19th june 5pm Sky Sport 2
23rd june 6.30pm Sky Sport 2

16th May - News

The Field is looking better at the Kilo Time trials at the end of May on Lake Karapiro as Steve Mathieson will take "Midnight" out to challenge "Little Cracker's" Record

13th May - News

The Race for Christ Website in Australia has updated with news and Images from the EC Griffith Cup Click the Logo above to visit the Site.

Zone Meetings
The Central Zone have there Meeting at the Manawatu Clubrooms on Sunday 21st May

The Northern Zone will have there Meeting on the 27th May at Lake Karapiro there will also be a Kilo Trial held on Sunday.
So far Entries include Tony Hall "Tempest" & Peter White "Predator" will be going for the ModH records currently held by Alan Lewis "Little Cracker" and Malcolm Wotton "Renegade" will be going for a record attempt in Grand National Hydroplane. I'm sure there will be many more entire's out there willing to break a few records and have an enjoyable time at the Party on Saturday Night.

8th May - DVD's & News

The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club have a couple of DVD's for Sale of both the World Championships held Recently.



There will also be a DVD of the 2006 AE Baker and EC Griffith Cup. These will feature on TV3 and Sky Tv Soon and I will post Details when they are available.

The Eaton 2006 UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship will screen on Sky Tv shortly I will post those Dates when i get them

The UIM Modified Hydroplane Championship did not screen on TV as The Modified Hydroplane Club were unable to produce the Program but you can buy the DVD.

The Appeals for the EC Griffith Cup have been Filed once all Appeals from all the Teams are Herd a decision on the Outcome will be Made. This could take a few Weeks but we will post the Results as soon as they become available

5th May - World Championships

The Eaton 2006 UIM World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championships will be screening on TV3 this Sunday Afternoon 7th May.

4th May - EC Griffith Cup Pictures

Bindy Lewis has put up her Pictures from the Weekend at the Vulture Site you see them by clicking the Vulture link Below

3rd May - EC Griffith Cup Newspaper Articles

Yarrawonga Article April 2006

Wanganui Chronicle Link to Monday 1st May Article

 

Wanganui Chronicle 3rd May 2006

2nd May - EC Griffith Cup

David Alexander tried to match the Start Boat Pace but it was so slow he was unable to get on the Plane and with the Water spray going everywhere he had no Vision and ended up leading the field well off course.

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2nd May - EC Griffith Cup
EC Griffith Cup wont be Officially decided until All the Protests/Appeals have been Heard.

John Cross only did one slow warm up lap before throwing some rods out the side

The Report on TV3 news was very good with great footage of the Crash in the Final and some pretty conclusive video evidence in support of Warwick Lupton and the start line fiasco

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2nd May - EC Griffith Cup

Greg Holland from Tabasco made a Sign for the Annihilator Team
The Hole in the side of the Sump can just be seen at the bottom left of Kens Engine

TV3 News Tonight should have Coverage of the Event. Catch Nightline late news if you miss the 6pm news

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There will be no presentation of the Cup Tonight as there is an Appeal by a Team over the Result 4.10pm

TV3 News on Tuesday Night will have Footage

EC Griffith Cup Unofficial Grid/Results 2.55pm
Updated at 3.15pm
Updated 3.50pm

The Race was missing Matt Ferris who had Mechanical Problems and did not Start.
Once More GP55 and Warlord did battle with the Annihilator Teams in the lone form of David Alexander who had a Cracked Belly Pan and was in trouble from the get go after the Race was red Flagged his Boat started to sink with the Belly Pan torn apart.
The Race was Red Flagged after Warlord Spun out on the bridge Turn when he tried to sneak inside the Lapped Aussie Connection there was plenty of room outside to pass.
GP55 who was right up with Warlord had nowhere to go and drove up the back of Warlord causing minor damage to both boats GP55 then got going as the Red Flags came out. Warlord was DQ from the race and the results were unofficially announced.

The Annihilator Team have decide to call it quits for the Day and will not contest the Final King of the Lake Race.

(race starts Soon no times yet available)
Warwick Lupton was DQ from his race as a Protest from a Team says he was over the Start Line

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	GP55 Paul Cunningham	Pole One	1st
	Warlord Paul Burton	Pole Two	DNF
	Wasp Bobby Fisher	Pole Three	2nd
	Annihilator GP 008	Pole Four	3rd
	Dragula Tom Heffernan	Pole Five	4th
	The Fly Dean Gleason	Pole Six	5th
	Tattoo Matt Ferris	Pole Seven	DNS	Mechanical
	Aussie Connection Barry Taylor	Pole Eight	6th

Unofficial Results Qualifying 2.15pm
Times are yet to Come and Some Teams are making a Protest
Heat One
David Alexander stormed ahead of the Field from the Start and Matt Ferris in Tattoo was hard pushed to find a way past he almost came unstuck on the second lap as he hit tried to move up and take a tight line on David
Aussie Connection was Flying in this Race and it was great to see the old Boat finish so close to Tattoo.

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Mathemagic Ian Bryant	Pole One	DNS	Scratched
	Annihilator GP008 David Alexander	Pole Two	1st	3.03.6
	Bad Medicine John Bakker	Pole Three	DNS	Mechanical
	Tattoo Matt Ferris	Pole Four	2nd	?
	Aussie Connection Barry Taylor	Pole Five	3rd	?

Heat Two
A The Fly Dean Gleason really took it to Annihilator in the opening lap and the Little Boat lead through turn two but drifted back in the rough water to come home last.
Warwick Lupton won with ease from Bobby Fisher and Wasp with Tom Heffernan and Dragula coming in Third

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Wasp Bobby Fisher	Pole One	2nd	2.57.1
	KT11 Darryl Hamilton	Pole Two	DNS	Scratched
	Dragula Tom Heffernan	Pole Three	3rd	3.03.9
	The Fly Dean Gleason	Pole Four	4th	3.07.5
	Annihilator GP 007 Warwick Lupton	Pole Five	1st	2.47.1 Fastest Time

Heat Three
A very exciting Heat with Warlord and GP55 having a huge Tussle for the whole of the race and I was unable to pick a winner from my vantage point.Ken Lupton and his Crew did a sterling effort to make the Race only just getting the Engine in in time but sadly the Motor was not running right and Ken had to Retire. Tabasco ran strongly to finish a distant 3rd but his time may not be fast enough to make the Final

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Rival John Cross	Pole One	DNS	Mechanical
	GP55 Paul Hamilton	Pole Two	1st	2.50.6
	Warlord Paul Burton	Pole Three	2nd	2.50.7
	Annihilator GP 009 Ken Lupton	Pole Four	DNF	Mechanical
	Tabasco Greg Holland	Pole Five	3rd	?

30th April 11.45am(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup


Ken Lupton and David Alexander have been granted permission by the Officials to swap places for the Qualifying Heats this will give Kens Crew a better chance of being able to change the gearbox and running gear on there Engine.
John Cross is out of the Cup race

30th April 11.00am(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup


Testing in the Hour long Session is over and the crews now will prepare for the first round of Qualifying Heats at 1.30pm.
The Weather is very Overcast with Drizzle at times and some rain is expected.

John Cross in Rival and Ken Lupton in Annihilator GP009 have both struck problems in Testing with Ken Lupton putting a hole in his sump and possibly putting him out for the Day. With Two hours before the first Heat there may not be enough time to change the Engine over. Kens Boat runs a Gearbox set up and there is a major job ahead to swap the right bits over to get the Motor running.
John Cross and his Team are working hard to solve why their Engine shut down Early in their run. Its a Nice Boat and would be a shame to lose them.
Mathemagic has not shown up to race today so is scratched from the running.

Talking with the TV Crew they have confirmed that Coverage will be on TV3 News on Tuesday Night but they are also hopeful of getting a Satellite uplink going to make tonight's News so be sure to check.


You can Email any good luck messages to either Denise or Webmaster or post a message in our Forum
We will pass the messages on to the Team.

30th April 7.30am(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup

Aussie Weapon	Rival's Hummer tow wagon	Warlord Paul Burton	Dragula Tommy Heffernan
David Alexander Annihilator GP008	Wasp Bobby Fisher	Warwick Lupton Annihilator GP007	Aussie Connection Barry Taylor
Bad Medicine John Bakker	Aussie Connection is always good to watch when it starts	Tabasco Greg Holland	The Fly Dean Gleason

29th April 11.30pm(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup

Support Races 4.2lt Bring it On, Aussie Weapon, Evil, Buzzard.

The Draw was made at the La Porchetta Restaurant tonight for the Qualifying Rounds for tomorrows EC Griffith Cup. They are as follows

Heat One

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Mathemagic Ian Bryant	Pole One	DNS	Scratched
	Annihilator GP009 Ken Lupton	Pole Two
	Bad Medicine John Bakker	Pole Three
	Tattoo Matt Ferris	Pole Four
	Aussie Connection Barry Taylor	Pole Five

Heat Two

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Wasp Bobby Fisher	Pole One
	KT11 Darryl hamilton	Pole Two
	Dragula Tom Heffernan	Pole Three
	The Fly Dean Gleason	Pole Four
	Annihilator GP 007 Warwick Lupton	Pole Five

Heat Three

Picture	Name	Pole	Finish	Race Time
	Rival John Cross	Pole One
	GP55 Paul Hamilton	Pole Two
	Warlord Paul Burton	Pole Three
	Annihilator GP 008 David Alexander	Pole Four
	Tabasco Greg Holland	Pole Five

I will post some results as soon as they come to hand.
The Final well be started 45 Minutes after the last boat from Heat 3 has been put in its Pit area either by crane or trailer. Only the fastest 8 Boats will be in the Final.

29th April 6.00pm(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup


The Testing Day has finished for the Day with Moderate Results from all the Boats.
Warlord, GP55 had a couple of strong runs although both got towed in at one point for minor Engine problems, Dragula did their one Test and Tom was more than happy to leave the boat until tomorrow. Tabasco started off with Engine start problems but got one good run in. Wasp and Aussie Connection got in two good clean runs. The Bad Medicine Boat was the only non hydro to partake in Testing. with all the other Boats content to wait until tomorrow.
Mathemagic was a no show today and the chances are they will not be here tomorrow. Matt Ferris was unable to get his second KT tunnel boat ready so will just be running the defending champion Tattoo.

Ken Lupton had a problem with his Prop Shaft Coupling and will need to spend the night engineering a spare in case its needed
Warwick Lupton tested both Engines and is more than happy with his Runs
David Alexander ran very clean today and only had a small Oil Pressure problem curtailing his last run of the Day.

There will be News Coverage on TV 3 some time during the week chances are it wont be until Monday or Tuesday Night

Testing wasn't as long as the Teams thought once the organizers decided to have a few support Races to add to the entertainment.

Tonight there will be the Grid draws for the three Qualifying Heats tomorrow made at the Ski Club. I will have an update later on those draws and will add some more Pictures before racing tomorrow.

You can Email any good luck messages to either Denise or Webmaster or post a message in our Forum
We will pass the messages on to the Team.

29th April 2.30pm(aussie time) - EC Griffith Cup




The Team Annihilator Boats have been taking it easy in today's Testing with everything going right so far. Water conditions are pretty good so far and the weather is expected to clear up a bit tomorrow where the sun may make an appearance.

Team Annihilator Jackets have been a strong seller today in the merchandise Shop.

You can Email any good luck messages to either Denise or Webmaster or post a message in our Forum
We will pass the messages on to the Team.

23rd April - Bay of Plenty Club Day

Luke Dawson in "Nova Lighting"

Bay of Plenty ran a well attended club race weekend with over 20 boats in attendance.
Top Points scorer for the weekend was Garin Keane in "Too Keane"
Garin also had a drive in his John Keane's F2 boat "Dead Keane" at the end of the meeting words like don't wreck it and bring it back were mentioned prior to his trip and it almost didn't come back in the middle of the top turn the boat dipped the front into the water and came to a stop. The Boat then started to take on water and Garin had to hop in and desperately attempt to bring it back to shore which he managed to do. Looks like another year in the F3 for Garin.

Just a few pictures from Sunday
Click to Enlarge

Garin Keane tests "Dead Keane"	Garin Keene gets out waves to dad everything's ok	Garin Keene waves the yellow paddle as the boat ever so slowly sinks	Garin struggled to get the boat back but managed to do so.
"Shockwave" now under new ownership had its first run.	"Captain Manta" & "Wasted Knights"	"Holiday Outboards" & Total Chaos"	"Misty Blue" and "Captain Manta"

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23rd April - Offshore Rotorua

Kevin Ireland crewing on "We'll Be Late"

Offshore raced on the Lake at Rotorua on Saturday the race was won by "Sleepyhead" who was in a race long duel with "Placemakers" until "Placemakers" stopped to make a minor repair and then re continued. There was some drama with a few boats and one driver was taken to shore during the race with minor injuries.
with the Lake being so shallow by the shore the Boats ended up on a course that is really just a bit to far from the shore to get a good view.
Formula Honda was won by H9 "Light Industry"
The Classic Boat Class was won by C12 "Fountain"
check out the New Zealand Offshore Website for full results (sometime late next week) and lots of my Pictures if they chose to use them

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20th April - EC Griffith Cup

The Entries for the Griffith cup are posted on our Events Page. There are 17 confirmed Entries and a Good number of Support entries listed at this stage.
The Event should be a Cracker with 17 entries trying to whittle down in qualifying to the Fastest 8 Boats.
Defending Champion Matt Ferris has a Double Entry and is running a second KT Hull.

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20th April - Wanganui Chronicle Article

Click the Above Article to read the full Story from Yesterday's Wanganui Chronicle

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19th April - Legends of Speed

Warwick Lupton will be featured at the Pukekohe V8 Supercar Race this weekend in a special Tribute to the Legends Of Speed. There will be many Famous Racers of the past and present at the show which is a tribute to The Kiwis who have broken Speed Records, Won World Championships or Designed ground breaking Machines of Speed. Those Featured are: John Britton - Britton Bike Bruce McLaren - GT40 Chris Amon - 1959 Cooper Craig Baird - Alantic Brut Munro- Fastest Indian (to confirm) Phil Garrett and Glen Haywood - Flying Kiwi Sidecar Graeme Crosby - Motorbike Robert Holden - Motorbike Ivan Mauger - Million Dollar Bike Greg Murphy - Kart from his early racing days Scott Dixon - Indy car Grant Downing - Nitro Funny Car Owen Evans - Porsche Paul Radish - V8 Supercar Denny Hulme - McLaren M12 Possum Bourne - Hill Climb Car Wade Cunningham - Kart Shane King - Motorcross bike Rod Harvey - Datsun Drag Car Glen Suckling - Croydon Car Kenny Smith Wayne Huxford -Mothers Capri. Warwick Lupton - Grand Prix Hydroplane. New Zealand Motor Cup The Lady Wigram Trophy.

With the "Annihilator" Race Boat currently in Melbourne this weekend the Display at the Legends of Speed will feature Scott and Selwyn Coker's "Fair Warning" Grand National Hydroplane. The Boat will be featured at the Entrance to the Marquee

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18th April - Westview Formula 3 Series


Josh Preece gets a little on the wild side on Sunday

The Wellington Regatta saw the Final round of the Westview Formula 3 Series run.

The series has two classes SST60 and the smaller SST45. The SST45 class was sponsored by Kevin Thorburn

SST60 Results

1st - Geoff Morrish"Sinista"
2nd - Josh Preece "Black Thunder"
3rd - Jamie Hargreaves"Instigator"

SST45 Results

1st - Garin Keene "Too Keane"
2nd - Josh Preece "Black Thunder"
3rd - Philip Stillwell "Dupont"

Just a few pictures from Wellington's Formula 3 Races
Click to Enlarge

Geoff Morrish Collects First Place Trophy from Kevin Thorburn	Garin Keene & Josh Preece with their Trophy's	Garin Keene ahead of Geoff Morrish	Grant Pedder "Wild Thing" pushes too hard in the Turn
Grant comes down in the water	Grant bounces back out of the Water	Grant goes over	Josh Preece goes by has Grant swims back to his upturned Boat

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16th April 1.30pm - Wellington Regatta

The Wellington Regatta has been called of for safety reasons as the wind has whipped up the Water on the back straight making racing dangerous.

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16th April 1.00pm - Ian Thomas "Advocate"

Ian Thomas had an unfortunate Accident today in the opening Formula One Series Race. Ian was ok after the Accident which saw his Boat catch a wave and Barrel Roll on the top turn of the Triangle Course while leading the race on Lap 3. The Boat appears to be mostly Ok after the incident with moderate damage to the cowlings and pickle Fork.

North Island Pro Com

1st - Mike Denham"Captain Manta"
2nd - Peter White "Wasted Knights"
3rd - Mike Wotton"Madison Blues"

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16th April 10.00am - Krazy Kiwi

The Krazy Kiwi crew have spent the Night going over the Engine in an effort to find the fault that makes the boat break down after 1 or 2 laps. They have put on another Mag and so far the tune seems to have worked, shortly they will test the Boat on the Water and Hopefully Chris Palmer will get a good run.

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16th April 10.00am - "Krazy Kiwi"

Matt Morrison Memorial Winner Mike Denham"Captain Manta"

Matt Morrison Memorial

1st - Mike Denham"Captain Manta"
2nd - Terry McKinstry "First Offence"
3rd - Malcolm Packer "Miss Weta"

North Island Grand Prix

1st - Steve Hughes "Total"
2nd - Alan Dennis "California Girls"
3rd - Peter Thomas "Advocate"

North Island Grand National

1st - Selwyn Coker "Fair Warning"
2nd - Daryl Friend"Terminator"
3rd - Rodney Wood "Scorpion"

North Island Modified Hydroplane

1st - Brendon Hall "Armageddon"
2nd - Tony Hall "Tempest"
3rd - Brody Mathieson "Meridian"

North Island Unlimited/Unrestricted

1st - Steve Hughes "Total"
2nd - Peter Thomas "Advocate"
3rd - Alan Dennis "California Girls"

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16th April 8.00am - Selwyn Coker Wins North Island Grand National Title

Selwyn Coker "Fair Warning" Yesterday took out the North Island Grand National Hydroplane Championship.
Selwyn started the Championship in a commanding fashion winning Heat One by a comfortable Margin from Rodney Wood "Scorpion" & Daryl Friend "Terminator".
In Heat Two Selwyn had a harder time dealing with an improved "Terminator" and settled for Second place which gave him the points needed for Victory.

More Results Shortly

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15th April 2.35pm - Chris Palmer

Chris Palmer had some more bad luck with the Engine on "Krazy Kiwi" simply not wanting to run more than a lap on power, however there was early signs of form as he beat "Captain Manta" into the First Turn.

There will be some results up a little later from the various North Island Titles held Today.

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15th April 1.00pm - Wild Thing Crash

Grant Pedder was shaken but unhurt after a Crash in the First Formula 3 race this Afternoon.
Races are going well with the only delays being Grants Accident and Alan Dennis chalking up yet one more Race Buoy.

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15th April - Australian Chris Palmer in New Zealand

Chris Palmer who races the Boat "Outlaw" in Australia is have a guest drive in New Zealand at the Wellington Power Boat Regatta. He has been leant Fergies "Krazy Kiwi" Pro Com Boat and had a brief Practice earlier.He is due for a Race very soon and I will try to update as soon as possible. Race 1 for Matt Morrison Memorial Title and sadly Chris Palmer has broken down after running Strongly. The race was won by Captain Manta

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7th April - TV News

TV 3 News will tonight screen an Interview with Warwick Lupton filmed as the Annihilator Team dropped the 3 Boats off at the Wharf for Shipping to Australia.
The Boats set sail on Sunday. Some of the Crew will fly over to prepare the Boats for the EC Griffiths early and make sure all is Good with the Machinery.

TV3 will also screen the recent World Championships on Sunday 7th of May on the Arena Sports Programme. Sky TV will screen it shortly afterwards and I will let you know those times when I get them.

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