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Copies of Current and past New Zealand Hydroplane Drivers Club Newsletters can be found at the bottom of this page. The Major News from Each News Letter will be Posted here as well as any relevant News Story you care to Submit to Denise Moughan for posting on the Site.
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30th April - Whitianga Offshore Press Release

Moment of Impact as Addictive collides with Placemakers

South Auckland brothers Wayne & Grant Valder powered their way to an impressive victory in round 7 of the NZ Armacup 'Racing for Cure Kids' Inex Metals offshore powerboat championships held at Whitianga yesterday. Driving the 34-foot, 1100hp Phantom catamaran, Pro Floors Racing they relished the one meter swells and lead from start to finish to register their second win of the eight race series and have closed the gap in the championship race to just 75-points behind series leader & current national champions Peter Turner & Craig Archer in Sleepyhead who finished yesterday's race in second place.

The eagerly anticipated race was robbed of a major draw card and title hunting team PlaceMakers on lap one when they were involved in a collision minutes into the race with Wellington's Grant Smith in Addictive Racing. The Addictive boat punctured PlaceMakers on the port side damaging the F-16 canopy and cockpit that throttleman Richard Shores sits in. The former five times national champion and co driver Wayne Carson withdrew from the race immediately and returned to shore uninjured to assess the damage and plan repairing the 32-foot Skater catamaran.

With Pro Floors reveling in the conditions it didn't take long for the field to be spread. Warren & Scott Lewis in Fairview Windows & Doors moved into third place with the two 28-foot skater catamaran's of Rayglass Boats driven by Kelly Smith & Travis Thompson and Cat Attack (Bob Smith and Mark Taiatini) commencing there battle for supremacy in the Superboat Light class.

The Sport 100 field were once again providing close racing among its competitors: Tauranga's Mark & Aaron Diggleman in Drive Right, Greg & Philip Crawford in Team Steadcraft and Graham Pike & Laurence Hullena in V-Max Yamaha were not letting either team establish a clear advantage over each other.

Putting in another good performance in the 60-mile race were Waves N Wheels driven by Lance Dawson & Paul Maria who were leading this race until the last lap when they blew an engine.

2005 formula Honda champion, Greg Brinck & co driver Ryan Shores lead this popular class from start to finish in Konica Minolta and recorded their second win of the season from Mark Helmes and Michael Knight in Miss Electropar, with Napier winner Jeff Weake & Jacqui McGowan in Team Altitude coming home in third place. For the first time this season championship points leader Chris Bartlett did not finish on the podium, while it was a very disappointing race for the UK formula Honda champions Nick Clemson and Paul Trow-Smith when they had to retire after Trow-Smith broke his collar bone during the race.

Back in the 100-mile race it was again a disappointing race for the Lewis brothers when they withdrew their 32 foot skater catamaran, Fairview Windows & Doors with mechanical failure while Bob Smith & Mark Taiatini in Cat Attack clinched third place overall and first in the Superboat light class from Rayglass Boats and Addictive Racing who recovered well after being involved in the lap one incident with PlaceMakers.

Drive Right were able to hold on to first position in the Sport 100 field from Team Steadcraft and V-Max Yamaha, while Mike Cameron and Mark "Gilbert" Ross in Holsom took further points out of the Spirit of Cheyenne championship lead in the classic class field with another convincing win.

With Pro Floors winning this round they will now head into a showdown at Auckland in two weeks time confident that they can claim their first national drivers championship title if they can repeat their victory over Sleepyhead. This will be a winner takes all race, although the ever competitive and five times champion, Peter Turner will not be handing over any title without a fight!


Winner Profloors

We should be getting some Pictures through Brendon Cornes look forward to those soon.
Last race of the Offshore is at Auckland Bridge on May 12th if you are up that way check it out.

Some more Images from Brendon Cornes are up on the Gallery Page
Click the Logo Below and go to the Whitianga Offshore Gallery

There was an Incident at the Offshore race today involving Placemakers an Addictive as they collided on Lap one. Placemakers suffered a gaping hole in the hull and managed to limp back to the Pits, Addictive had damage to the Pickles and completed the race finishing third in the Superboat Light Class.
Might pay to keep an eye on the Sports News to see this I'm sure the TV Coverage would have caught it.
I was planning to attend this race(wanted to wear my Chindit Team Shirt at a Race) but more important matters arose so no Pictures are available.

Unofficial Results
Superboats
1st Pro Floors
2nd Sleepyhead

Superboat Lights
1st Cat Attack
2nd Rayglass
3rd Addictive

Sadly Phillip's Grandfather died quietly this week . I am sure that you would like to all join us and wish Phillip and his family our deepest sympathies.

Phillip on behalf of the NZGP Hydroplane Drivers Club , all the race teams in NZ , and I am sure all your friends on the forum pages in NZ and Aussie our thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
Sincerely Denise Moughan

Thank You I appreciate the Thoughts.
Its fair to say I wouldn't have attended some of the Boat Race meetings lately with out using my Granddads Car with which I used to get a lot laughs about a big guy in such a small car. Nanna never liked me using my Motorbike she said she would feel better if i was in their car. Mangakino saw the end of that though in spectacular fashion.
Like to Thank the Caregivers at Somerset Home in Wanganui for Caring for Granddad over the last 7 months and The Hospital Staff at Wanganui for the last three days.

Queensland’s Biggest Power Boat Racing Spectacular
November 2007 2nd - 3rd - 4th
Bundaberg
Queensland

Invitation
Bundaberg, APBA Qld Council, and the Wide Bay Australia Bundy Thunder Power Boat Spectacular invites power boat racing enthusiasts to 3 days and nights of great Bundaberg hospitality at Queensland's biggest, Experience the excitement of a whole weekend of Australia's best circuit racing, incorporating lunchtime displays that keep the action going. Major classes and races include the sensational BAD Boats in the Unlimited Displacements, the premier race for 6 litre displacements - the Trojan Cup, and the Wide Bay Australia Flying Mile.

Peter Thomas at Mangere who won the Gold Cup

Boat Racing on TV!!!

Only 2 dates to hand at present

8th. May Sky Sport 1 9.30pm

10th. May Sky Sport 2 7.00pm.

Already had 2 showings Sport 1 on Easter Monday and today Sunday 15th. on Prime.

Cheers John Weller

Red Bellies from Australia about to get Lapped by Placemakers

Went to Napier for the 3rd last round of the Offshore was hoping to see some rolling waves and a bit of Air under the Boats but once again the weather gods intervened and Napier seemed to be the only place where it was sunny and warm.
I probably should have tried for a Boat to take Photos of this event the back straight was pretty hairy according to Kevin Ireland.
Found a nice patch of grass to sit and view this race The Point which was closer to the action was pretty chocker with Spectators.


Placemakers Rounds up Sleepyhead with a few laps to go and takes a good Win


I think this Punter was trying to hook a big one


Kevin Ireland finished 5th in Class with a bad Prop and a Hole in the boat. Kevin also took Robert Anthony for a spin in the Boat during the Week. Robert found the Ride most enjoyable.


Placemakers all smiles with the Flag


Perry Morris took the win in SuperBoat Lites Class


Altitude took the Formula Honda Win, Jo Lomax in Chindit didn't have a good run finishing back in the pack

Will add a gallery of Offshore later tonight

Peter Thomas at Mangere

I was looking at the Sky TV listings to see what's on tonight and it has at 8.00pm on SKY Sport 1 Power Boat Racing from Mangere Bridge

Starting to upload images now from Wellington

The Vulture Link Disappeared from our Links Page some time ago which was my fault but there are some good Pictures of the Griffith cup on there to have a look at as well as some great Nostalgia Articles
Click on the Vulture logo above to visit the Site

Peter Thomas held off Tony Latimer & Luke Sharp in the Formula 1 Race


I got a Handicap Race with Malcom Packer in Miss Weta we came home Third

It was a Good Days Racing with The Formula 1 North Island Title not being run due to a Lack of Entries.
There is a bit of controversy brewing over the Formula 2 Title but the Sashes and prize money were Handed out regardless. There is also a time period for Protests but that long since expired.


The Ambulance Rescue Staff were given a Race of there own at the end of the Day



Sierra Supporters Lounged around prior to Racing


Raelene Ellis Helps a Shark find its way back into the Harbour


Images will added to the Gallery on Monday most Likely

Jamie Hargreaves in Instigator is the 2007 North Island Formula 2 Champion


Results for the North Island Formula 2 Championship

1st	Jamie Hargreaves	Instigator
2nd	Scott Dennis	Velocity
3rd	Brendon Cornes	Total Kaos
4th	Jason Moughan	Jam
5th	Mark Pratching	Vindicator

Tony Latimer on the way to winning the Winter Cup

Results for the Winter Cup

1st	Tony Latimer	Patriot
2nd	Peter Thomas	Advocate
3rd	Luke Sharp	Sierra
4th	Tracy Gapper	Tempo Too
5th	Scott Dennis	Velocity
6th	First Offence	Terry Mckinstry
7th	Ambush	Geoff Noble

Looks like a Cracker Day again in Wellington just a shame that there are not many Boats still Running.

Images will added to the Gallery on Monday most Likely

Terry Mckinstry DQ for allegedly Hitting a Buoy?

17 Entries fronted up for the Last Regatta of the Season at Wellington.
Formula 3 Boats: Velocity, Instigator, Total Chaos, Vindicator & Jam.
Formula 1 Boats: Sierra, Galbraith, The Advocate & Patriot.
Pro Com Boat: First Offence
GNH Boat: The Phantom
ModH Boat: Tempo Too
Series 300 Boats:Venom, Brooster, Going Going Gone, Miss Weta & Ambush

Details of the championship Events will be posted tomorrow.

Images will added to the Gallery on Monday most Likely

Sky TV have Apologized for last nights mistake it seems somebody put the wrong Tape in the Machine. Since last Nights Show was missing 9 minutes of Footage Sky TV will have an extra screening on Good Friday at 6.00pm.
This Screening will be Downtown followed by Karapiro.

Don't forget Karcher Pitlane Tonight at 8.30pm on Sky Sport 2 followed by Downtown Hydroplanes

Date	Time	Channel	Episode
03/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Downtown
04/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Downtown
05/04/07	05:00	Sport 1	Downtown
05/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Downtown
6/04/07	18:00	Sport 2	Downtown & Karapiro
10/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	13:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Karapiro
12/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
13/04/07	12:00	Sport 1	Karapiro

*** PLS NOTE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION***



More Images this time From Peter McLeod taken at Ngakuru have been added to the Gallery


Wellington Regatta is on this Easter on Saturday and Sunday North Island F1, F2 Titles up for Grabs going by the Calendar. Weather has been rather wet around the country side so hopefully Easter at Wellington will be better.

Date	Time	Channel	Episode
03/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Downtown
04/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Downtown
05/04/07	05:00	Sport 1	Downtown
05/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Downtown
10/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	13:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Karapiro
12/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
13/04/07	12:00	Sport 1	Karapiro

*** PLS NOTE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION***

Geez first screening and we got bumped for Maadi Cup Rowing? now most people from here would have turned channels while screaming and moaning but then 3/4 of the`way through the first rowing race they had an Ad break and then it was the Downtown Regatta bit of a hiccup from Sky TV me thinks. So if you did switch channels and missed the event catch the replays on Sky Sport 2 after Karcher Pitlane Wednesday night.

More Images added to the Gallery

The Casino Boat which is being sent downunder in April now, once again delayed by the extreme weather conditions in North America. The Owner still wants to remain Anonymous apparently. Guess we will all find out one day if it shows up at a race track somewhere?

Seems the day of April Fools Jokes is over as the PC Brigade jump up and and down at any and all attempts at humour.

David and Brett Lap 2

TO THE ANNIHILATOR TEAM
On behalf of Three old Kiwi supporters Doug Cameron, Keith Driver and Bruce Andrews we would like to congratulate the team on securing Second Third and Fourth this year in the Griffiths Cup.
Although the placing were commendable it was the way in which the whole team conducted themselves in what must have been a frustrating result.
New Zealand can feel proud of Warwick, Ken and David together with there reduced team of crew, they were all very professional.
I guess next year the Griffiths will be run in Sydney and we wish the team well for the 2008 Griffiths Cup. This trio of old supporters hope to be there again to cheer them on to that next step a WIN.
Good Boating
The Old Gents


We Have the TV schedules from Sky TV for the Airtime's of the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club Events at Downtown & Karapiro.

Date	Time	Channel	Episode
03/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Downtown
04/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Downtown
05/04/07	05:00	Sport 1	Downtown
05/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Downtown
10/04/07	20:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	13:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
11/04/07	21:00	Sport 2	Karapiro
12/04/07	23:00	Sport 1	Karapiro
13/04/07	12:00	Sport 1	Karapiro

*** PLS NOTE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTIFICATION***

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All pictures in these Gallery's are either the Property of the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club or have been Loaned to the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club for use in the Gallery and for Promotions. Any Image or Text can not be reproduced for commercial use without the express permission of New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club