News August - September 2007

28th September - Bridge to Bridge


ENTRIES AVAILABLE NOW!!
Some great prizes are up for grabs for the family, social & wakeboard classes. There will be 3 x 21 inch TV’s with built in DVD players as spot prizes for all entrants of The Cook Family and Social Class of the Bridge to Bridge this year.
These will be drawn at the Family/Social Class Prizegiving on Saturday night (27 October 2007) at The Cook Cafe and Bar. Attendance is required to claim your prize.

Novotel Hamilton Tainui is the official hotel for this years Bridge to Bridge . On the banks of the Waikato River , Novotel Hamilton Tainui is adjacent to SkyCity Casino (venue for the Gala Dinner 28 October 2007 ) and amid the city’s shopping and entertainment precinct
Click to Download a very small Microsoft Word Document of Pricing for Novotel Hamilton Tainui


For an information pack & to enter go to: www.nz.skirace.net
Entries close October 1st - not long to go now!
In Search of A Team or Team Member?
If you are looking for a team member whether it be a skier, boat, driver or observer give Brad Dutton a call on 027 410 2383

Brad Dutton
Marketing, Media and Promotions Director 2007 Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic Organising Committee
WK: 0064 7 8494809 ext. 820
MB: 0064 27 4102383
AH: 0064 7 8541944

24th September - Dunk Tests Dates


Currently receiving and booking session times with competitors from within your sport about the upcoming Dunk Testing
There are 2 sessions in Auckland(confirmed) and probably 1 Session in Hamilton.
Auckland 13th October Confirmed
Auckland 10th November Confirmed
Hamilton 3rd November Not Confirmed

Competitors wishing to participate will need to contact Calvin to arrange their Session Time! All participants need to read and understand the session requirements.
Click to Download Microsoft Word Session Requirements Document

We are at the Orakei Dive Pool on Orakei Road near Kepa Road (Auckland city).Between 9.00 and 1.00pm. I will inform you as to what time to arrive(no point being there all day awaiting your turn). You need to bring a towel (for a hot shower) and can wear a wetsuit under the overalls that we will supply, if you so wish.
You will be wearing for the Dunk Test, overalls and an open face helmet. The test comprises of 2 rollovers with the second rollover,having you wearing some small eye goggles painted black allowing minimal light. The CPR course component will be performed (in the Dive Shop classroom) about 20-30 min's in duration.

I will forward the name of all competitors to their relevant Executive upon completion of the Dunk Test.
Many thanks
CALVIN HICKS
027 H20 MEDS
027 420 6337
E-mail Calvin Hicks

24th September - Manakau-Auckland AGM & Winter Series


The Winter Series due to start at Lake D this Weekend has had a setback with Lake D closed due to an erosion Issue. The First round has therefore been cancelled and a decision on the final rounds will be made on the weekend at the Manakau-Auckland AGM.

The Manakau-Auckland Club will hold its AGM on Saturday Afternoon and Prizegiving Function in the Evening at the Clubrooms all are welcome to Attend

23rd September - Happy Birthday Grant McClintock


Grant McClintock from Australia celebrated his 50th birthday last week and one of the Presents he was happiest to receive was a gift of a Signed Photo from the Annihilator Team

12th September - Wanganui Power Boat Club

The Wanganui Power Boat Club will be running there Regatta in Conjunction with NZGP at Downtown Wanganui on 2nd & 3rd February 2008 The Club will run all the Racing on the Saturday and may be able to run some racing on the Sunday as well but this will depend on the schedule of the NZGP and how many Boats they have enter there Downtown Flying Lap. The Wanganui Club will be Hosting a Round of the Series 3000 Clubs Series which includes Handicap racing. The Club is also the Host of the Matt Morrison Memorial Trophy it may be necessary to Hold Qualifying for this years round of the MMM with the River at Downtown only rated for 8 Boats. It is hoped that the Final would be held on Sunday but again NZGP will need to sort there Program out to make sure there is Time. The NI Pro Com Title is also being held on Saturday. The Clubs to Feature Events The River City 3000 and the King of the River will also be apart of Saturdays Events and once again should be will Sponsored with Similar Prize Money to last Year. As you can see in the Photos on the Right the 2 million Dollar extension to the Wharf is almost complete and the Wharf now extends all the way up to the Waimarie Ferry. It is officially Opened this Saturday and they are currently laying Rolls of Grass down. At night it looks quite good with the Lights on the Wharf. The Club would also like to ask that any Boat that can be craned into the Water to please base them selves on this side of the River. Ideally we like to Crane in all Boats so you can be apart of the festivities on this side of the River. Prizegiving will be held at The Red on Sunday after Racing The Sunday running of Downtown under the control of NZGP promises to be bigger than ever before with some major events planned but more on this later....

Terry Mckinstry will be entering the Matt Morrison Memorial


Had some requests to provide a link to the Agent Orange Accident from the weekend in Australia just click on the link below

12th September - Manawatu Power Boat Club AGM


"The Manawatu Power Boat Club", will be holding their A.G.M.
This Saturday. 15/9/07. 6pm at the Levin Cosmopolitan Club.
State Highway 1 Levin.
Those that wish to will be able to have a meal / drinks afterwards in the Club's Restaurant.
Next year we will be returning to a more formal type of dinner again.
Kind Regards
Tony Hall
Commodore

11th September - Wellington Power Boat Club AGM


"The Wellington Power Boat Club" are holding their AGM on Saturday 22nd September at the Onepoto Clubrooms at 4pm. Followed by prize giving, a social BBQ and drinks.
If anyone has any trophies from the previous season can they please contact either:
Jeff on 232 4585
or
Pam on 938 7147
to arrange return.
"Thank you and looking forward to seeing you there".

8th September - Bridge to Bridge


ENTRIES AVAILABLE NOW!!
All the entries for the 2007 Rollo’s Marine Yamaha Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic are now available online at www.nz.skirace.net
Please get motivated, organised and get your teams together and enter for this years event. You have until the 1st of October to get your entries in. We would really appreciate having all entries in by this time so they can be published in the awesome event programme that will be available on the weekend of the racing.
The link to the entries will be off the main page along with the Information Pack (this is your race pack for the event this year) and new Bridge Rules(which you will all need to have a read up on)
If you are looking for a team member whether it be a skier, boat, driver or observer give Brad Dutton a call on 027 410 2383
Watch out for more press releases like these as we get closer to the event.
Happy Training
The 2007 Bridge Team

4th September - Paul Harding

It is with regret that we pass on the News that Paul Harding Passed away suddenly last Thursday. Paul was the owner of the Formula V Race Boat "The Mexican" and a Strong Member of the Rotoiti Power Boat Club and Major Sponsor of the Events run by the Club. The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club wish to pass on their Deepest Sympathies to Paul's Family and Friends.

29th August - Drivers Club AGM's

Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club held their AGM over the weekend and made the following awards:
2007 Grand Prix Drivers Series
1st David Alexander "Annihilator GP-008"
2nd Malcolm Jamieson "KRB"
3rd Warwick Lupton "Annihilator GP-007"
4th Ken Lupton "Annihilator GP-009"

The Grand Prix Drivers Club had a brief AGM and focused on their two regattas in February.
The Downtown Event looks like being bigger than ever before with many extra events planned.
The Karapiro Regatta is hoisting the first round of the New Zealand Power Boat National Championships once again.
There will be more on these two regattas shortly


The Annihilator Team Confirmed they will be at the Following Regattas this Season, Mangakino December 8th -9th, Downtown February 2nd - 3rd, Karapiro February 9th - 10th, Rotoiti March 8th - 9th & Griffith Cup Yarrawonga, Australia April 5th - 6th.

Elected Officers:
Patron - Peter Knight
President - David Alexander
Vice President - Selwyn Coker
Secretary - Denise Moughan
Treasurer - Warwick Lupton

28th August - Drivers Club AGM's

Modified Hydroplane Drivers Club held their AGM over the weekend and made the following awards:
2007 3lt Scratch Racing
1st Brody Mathieson "Meridian"
2nd Nigel Zander "Helter Skelter"
3rd Daniel Pollack "Undertaker"

2007 2lt Scratch Racing
1st Brody Mathieson "Meridian"
2nd Daniel Pollack "Undertaker"
3rd Colin Gapper "Tempo Too"
4th Wayne Wells "Bugga"


2007 River Handicap
1st Colin Gapper "Tempo Too"
2nd Brody Mathieson "Meridian"
3rd Steve Mathieson "Midnight"

Frank McLeod Trophy for most Scratch Race Wins
1st Brody Mathieson "Meridian"
2nd Nigel Zander "Helter Skelter"
3rd Brendon Hall "Armageddon"

The Modified Hydroplane Drivers Club had their meeting at the weekend with the 20 members showing up. The Club has 26 financial member's. Made up as follows 22 full member's, 2 life member's, 2 social member's. The Club has member's in all 3 zones, representing 17 Registered Hydroplanes. The Club had 11 Hydroplanes enter the 2006/2007 Top Gun Series.
This Season the Top Gun Series will run the Handicap Series at 4 Regattas and the Scratch Race Series at another 4 Regattas which is a good way of supporting as many regattas as possible for the Club When those regattas dates are confirmed they will be added to the Calendar.


Elected Officers:
President - Brendon Hall
Vice President - Terry Mathieson
Secretary/Treasurer - Tony Hall
Northern Zone Rep - Nigel Zander
Central Zone Rep - Colin Gapper
Reserve Executive - Steve Mathieson

More from the Other Drivers Club Meetings to Follow during the Week

27th August - Drivers Club AGM's

Grand National Hydroplane Drivers Club held their AGM over the weekend and made the following awards:
2007 Grand National Challenge Series
1st Scott Coker "Fair Warning"
2nd Brodie Mathieson "Meridian"
3rd Malcolm Wotton "Renegade"

The Grand National Club asked the question should they run a series this year due to the lack of entries from previous years. A Rough count indicated 6 possible boats would enter. An Invite will also be extended to the V8 Pro Boats to see if they are interested in running.
The Series will once more be called the Grand National Challenge Series and the Club will look at running at 4 Venues which will be confirmed with the Regattas and added to the Calendar when the decision is made.

Elected Officers:
President - Malcolm Wotton
Vice President - Scott Coker
Secretary/Treasurer - Jamie Knight


More from the Other Drivers Club Meetings to Follow during the Week

26th August - Drivers Club AGM's

Series 3000 held there Drivers Club AGM over the weekend and made the following awards:
2007 Series 3000 Drivers Championship
1st Andrea Robinson "Star Trax"
2nd Paul Robertson "Going Going Gone"
3rd Malcolm Packer "Miss Weta"

Bryan Denham Memorial Trophy
This Trophy is voted on by all attending Members for The Boat and Driver for Sportsmanship and Dedication to the Series 3000 racing. Nominations for Drivers are made and then a paper ballot is done to decide the winner.

Winner - Steve Williams "Vigilante"

The Series 3000 club is looking at running a Six round series this coming Season with the best 5 results counting for the Boat in the Championship so you can afford to drop a round if circumstances mean you cant make an event.
The Series 3000 Club will be contacting the Regattas that they wish to run at when that's confirmed they will be added to the Calendar.
One of those rounds will be held at the Downtown Regatta which once again is being brought to you by Both the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club and the Wanganui Motor Boat Club on February 2nd - 3rd 2008. The Wanganui Motor Boat Club will run the Saturday Regatta with GP's testing between Races, also a feature Event for Series 3000 Drivers is the Annual River City 3000 Race.

Elected Officers:
Patron - Selwyn Coker
President - John Hallet
Vice President - Jason Buttimore
Secretary/Treasurer - Andrea Robinson


More from the Other Drivers Club Meetings to Follow during the Week

24th August - Annihilator GP009


Tom Heffernan is at the Waverly Boat shed working on rebuilding Ken Lupton's Annihilator GP009 Hydroplane.
The Job hasn't been without difficulties as building the new rear section without knowing the required measurements was a bit of try and try again to get the boat looking right. One good thing about a complete overhaul is you get to see just what is is Broken or Cracked and can make the appropriate Repairs.
The Team is also removing the Gas Tank for an overhaul and before Tom Returns to finish the Boat will realign the Steering Cables to the Left hand side of the Boat.
The Team will be ready to run at Mangakino on December the 8th


Warwick and Tom discuss the Rebuild, Plans have also been made for the Construction of a New GP Hydroplane with all the Building Materials Ordered, More to come on When the Boat begins Construction. The Annihilator Team will be all running with the existing Boats at Mangakino on December 8th.

22nd August - Formula One AGM


The AGM of the New Zealand Formula One Drivers Club Inc will be held on Saturday September 15th 2007 at The Speights Bar Conference Room, Jacksons St , Petone, Wellington at 1 PM Sharp. ALL DRIVERS and interested parties welcome.

13th August - Hamilton Boat Show

JTZ Models are now a Sponsor of Brendon Cornes Formula 3 Boat these Tunnel boats are very fast and of course can be painted up to look just like the real thing.


The Thundercats put on a great display on the very small Lake at the Hamilton Boat Show over the Weekend



Allan Dennis and the Fire Security F1 Tunnel with his 122.5mph Northern Zone Kilo Record Certificate at the Hamilton Boat Show.



Annihilator GP008 was on Display


A good range of Thundercats, Offshore, Jetboats and Circuit Boats on Display

7th August - Lake Dunstan Boat Club

The Lake Dunstan Boat Club is the now a part of the NZPBA affiliated Clubs and will in the future be looking to host its own Powerboat Regatta on Lake Dunstan.

The club was formed shortly before the Lake was Created in 1993 and is very strong in the Sail Boat numbers but hopes to attract the Numerous Ski Boats in the area with some regular Club Racing including Drag Racing events. Being based on a large Lake the Club has two Course options available depending on the conditions at the time.


Lake Dunstan Boat Club Member Steve Pope in his new Miffco F1 at Karapiro this year


Lake Dunstan Boat Club
McNulty Inlet Cromwell
P O Box 92
Cromwell
Central Otago
Club Email: Lake Dunstan Boat Club

6th August - News


The NZGP Club have the DVD of the 2007 Griffith Cup now available.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Of
The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club
To be held at the
Sun Court Motel Taupo Saturday 25th August 2007
Time to be confirmed
This is formal notice of the 23rd Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club.
The venue is Sun Court Motor Hotel Taupo Please forward to the secretary any Nominations and General Business items to the secretary Denise Moughan
If you wish to stay at the Sun court Motor Hotel please contact them directly Ph 0800 786 268 And mention that you are their as part of the Boat racing meetings.
Other Drivers Clubs are also holding their AGM's at the same venue.

The Hamilton Boat Show is on this weekend and a number of Power Boats will be representing our sport. Among them the Annihilator GP008 Boat of David Alexander and California Girls of Alan Dennis plus many more.
The show takes place at the Mystery Creek Events Centre from the 9th - 12th of August


The 2008 EC Griffith Cup has been confirmed as 5th - 6th April at Yarrawonga

© New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club 1984 - 2009