March 2008 News

30th March - Tauranga Offshore

Tim Fellows & Mark Coburn In Stealth Power Boats came Second in there Class. Tim Fellows also Drives one of the rescue crash boats for the Manawatu Power Boat Club Regattas

Tauranga had easily the best racing of the season with extremely close racing in most of the Classes and a big upset in superboat's when FMI took it to Sleepyhead and won the Race. Cure Kids/Placemakers Boat was a very close third to Sleepyhead.



Mark Diggelmann & Craig Parsons in the Super 60 Class Bat Boat won there class with ease. They also assisted with the placement of the Course Buoys prior to the race starting.

Click the Logo below to see results and Images from the day on the NZ Offshore Site.


More Pictures from the Tauranga Offshore are on my Gallery Page see Link below. The Gallery will be added to during the week. It is also scheduled for Maintenance during the next 24 hours so may not be working during that time.

24th March - Wellington Regatta
The Above Article appeared in the Dominion Post Today

24th March - Birthday Girl
Debbie Dawson from Fire Security Services Team who shows she can drive anything to back the boat in(just stand well clear and keep a tight grip on the boat too Allan) celebrates her Birthday Today.


Allan Dennis in action at Wellington Regatta

More Pictures from the Wellington Regatta well be put up later today

23rd March - Wellington Regatta
Adam in Altered State in Classic Cornering Pose. Adam seems to have cured the overheating issues and set the fastest Handicap Time of the Day

More Pictures from the Wellington Regatta are on my Gallery Page see Link below. Pictures will also be added to throughout the Week

23rd March - Wellington Regatta (3.45pm)

Scott Coker, Ken Lupton & David Alexander in the first attempt at the second NI UU Heat


Scott Coker won the second Heat and with it the Title of North Island UU, and got a dunking from the crew for his troubles.

Only 3 Boats took the restart with David finding out he had done a prop shaft Bearing. Alan Dennis pulled out with motor issues and Tony Latimer was unable to repair his Boat in time for the Restart(see below). Ian Thomas was second in the race after Ken Lupton broke down again. in the First Heat Fried a Mag.




Tony Latimer had an Incident at the start of Heat 2 when his boat fell in a hole created by the 3 big GP's in front of him. The Boat rolled and broke apart. There was a long delay as they towed the bits back to shore and the second heat was restarted. Tony was Ok and out of the boat pretty quickly.

Racing Has Finished for the Day

23rd March - Wellington Regatta (1.40pm)

Josh GP008 Head crewman this weekend is very relaxed about it all shortly before the first heat.


David Alexander won the first Heat of the NI UU Heat 1 from Scott Coker and Tony Latimer. Ken Lupton pulled out of the Race on Lap Two.

23rd March - Wellington Regatta (12.00pm)

Hi Time loses the rear Cowling during the second heat of North Island Modified Hydroplane Racing


Robyn Gaper in Hi Time proves to finish first First you must Finish.
In the second Heat of the NI ModH the Boats were not having much luck at all with ISS not being able to fire he watched the race start with out him. Meridian was out with a broken Rocker. This put Undertaker in line for the title running second but a engine problem curtailed his race. Tempo Too was then leading the title race but a broken Blade on the Prop took care of him Leaving Robyn Gapper to finish the race and become the North Island Title.

23rd March - Wellington Regatta (11.15am)

Brodie Mathieson looks on as he watch's Tempo Too cruise By in the first ModH Race for the NI Champs won by ISS Racing from Undertaker, Tempo Too and Hi Time.

23rd March - Wellington Regatta (9.15am)

Roger Funnel Picture from Inside Kens Cockpit. Its Looking pretty good for Racing Today with action expected to happen on the Water from 10.30am

22nd March - Wellington Regatta

The Wellington Regatta is looking at being delayed today as the Weather has turned custard with a good breeze whipping up the water and the constant threat of rain .

Warwick Lupton decided not to run his GP this weekend but he gruesome twosome have shown up along with Scott Coker.
There are 3 F1 boats here with The Advocate , Fire Security Services and The Patriot. There are a number of flattie's parked up on the Beach and everyone is just waiting for the weather to determine the rest of the Day. The regatta will be called at 12pm if the weather remains the same and we will all return Tomorrow to try again.

16th March - News
More Photos from Karapiro can be found on the Horsepowered Site
Click the Logo below to see Images on the P.M.H.Photography Site.


The Three Annihilator Boats will all be at the Wellington Regatta at Easter. Its been 3 years since they last raced at Porirua Harbour. Normally the big GP boats are on there way to Australia to Race But this year the Race they would be in Australia for has been delayed. This means that the Public in the lower North Island have a chance to see the GP's racing in Wellington.

16th March - Wellington Offshore

John Hercock had Sassy Red out on the Harbour and was second to the first buoy in the Sixty mile race class, But melted a Piston on the next straight and was out for the rest of the race. The Team make good Breakfasts mind you.

It was an extremely good day at wellington and the GP Hydro's would have looked good racing down there. David Alexander will take his GP Boat to porirua at Easter to try and win the the North Island UU Title. Its doubtful if Ken will have his new Motor ready in time with Customs making life difficult for importing Engine Parts at the Moment. Warwick Lupton may also be at Wellington he certainly needs the time on the water to get his Boat set up right.



Cure Kids/Placemakers Super Boat roars past the old Ship used in the Peter Jackson Movie King Kong
Click the Logo below to see results and Images from the day.


More Pictures from the Wellington Offshore are on my Gallery Page see Link below.

11th March - News
In Sydney on Saturday an Offshore Driver Peter Eagle was killed in his Race Boat and his Co Driver Geoff Burgess was seriously Hurt You can read more about that Story on the Sydney Times Page

The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club wishes to extend their condolences to the Eagle Family

Also see the Following for more news on the Sydney Event.
Outrage and Doubt about Offshore Event
Superboat Organizers Praise Event



Closest Race Finish of the Weekend went to Wasted Nights Evan White who only just Beat home Noeline Steiner in Misty Blue in a Series 3000 Handicap Race.

Got Side Tracked with some important stuff last night like sleep etc. But Pictures will go up tonight in the Gallery from the Rotoiti Event.

Kevin Ireland won the Pelorus Jack Trophy

Arthur McCaa Memorial 1st Malcolm Jamieson "KRB" 2nd Tony Latimer "Patriot" 3rd Steve Pope "The Vatican" Pelorus Jack Trophy 1st Kevin Ireland "ISS Racing" 2nd Andy Morris "Desert Storm" 3rd Stephan Burns "Burnout" King of the Nationals 1st Malcolm Jamieson "KRB" 2nd Tony Latimer "Patriot" 3rd Peter Thomas "The Advocate"

Glen Banks the Australian Referee presents Warwick Lupton with the AE Baker Trophy

AE Baker Hydroplane Championship
1st Warwick Lupton "Annihilator GP007"
2nd David Alexander Annihilator GP008
3rd Scott Coker "Fair Warning"


Not bad view at Rotoiti

AE Baker and it was a Photo Finish between Scott Coker and Warwick Lupton Above
Warwick Lupton just pipped Scott on the Line with David Alexander a distant Third place. This gives the Title unofficially to Warwick Lupton. It was a very good race and the Fair Warning Boat of Scott Coker was pushing very Hard and it was brilliant race to watch with a faster Race time than Race 1.

First Race of the AE Baker has just been run and it was a good battle in the first two laps before Scott Coker started to drop back on lap three Ken Lupton broke down on the Turn Buoy but there's no need to stop the race for his Boat as it looks like a Buoy anyway. David Alexander won from Warwick Lupton with Scott Coker Third. Tempest and Annihilator 3 failed to finish. The Second Heat is due to start in 45minutes time.

Rotoiti Power Boat Club Racers
Left to Right Standing:Chris Henderson, Justin Sellers, Paul Morris, Julian Stilwell, Andy Morris, Darren Randle.
Crouching: Malcolm Jamieson, Stephan Burns, Dave Delaney, Wayne Wells.

The Rotoiti Power Boat Club won the Canadian Trophy for the second straight Year. The Trophy is awarded to the Club that scores the most points in the Nationals.

1st Rotoiti Club 10 Boats 2475pts
2nd Cambridge/Waikato Club 7 Boats 1775pts
3rd = Wanganui Club 6 Boats 1325pts
3rd = Manawatu Club 7 Boats 1325pts
4th Geyserland Club 3 Boats 900pts
5th Wellington 8 Boats 525pts
6th Manukau/Auckland Club 9 Boats 400pts
7th Lake Dunstan Club 2 Boats 300pts
8th New Brighton Club 7 Boats 225pts
10th = Lake Kaniere Club No Boats 0pts
10th = Southland Club 2 Boats 0pts
10th = Wairarapa Club 2 Boats 0pts
10th = Bay of Plenty Club No Boats 0pts
10th = Scenicland Club No Boats 0pts

Grand Prix 1st Ken Lupton "Annihilator GP009" 2nd David Alexander "Annihilator GP008" 3rd Malcolm Jamieson "KRB"

Formula One 1st Malcolm Jamieson "KRB" 2nd Anthony Robinson "GRA" 3rd David Duthie "Red Chili"

Grand National 1st Scott Coker "Fair Warning" 2nd Richard Smith "Tempest" 3rd Alan Wells "Endorphin Rush"

Formula 3 1st Geoff Morrish "Sinista" 2nd Mark Patching"Vindicator" 3rd Jamie Hargreaves "Instigator"

Mod VP 1st Andy Morris "Desert Storm" 2nd Paul Morris "No Mercy" 3rd Stephan Burns "Burnout"

Formula V 1st Darren Randle "Boot Camp" 2nd Justin Sellers"Disturbed" 3rd Andy Morris "Bling"

Modified Hydroplane 1st Nigel Zander "Helter Skelter" 2nd Kevin Ireland "ISS Racing" 3rd Wayne Wells "Endorphin Rush"

Series 3000 1st Paul Robertson "Going Going Gone" 2nd John Hallet "Buckshot" 3rd Jeff Noble "Ambush"

Pro Stock 1st Paul Robertson "Going Going Gone" 2nd John Hallet "Buckshot" 3rd Terry McKinstry "First Offence"

Pro Com 1st Terry McKinstry "First Offence" 2nd Evan White "Wasted Knights" 3rd Brett Mercer "Aftershock"

With the Mobile Connection a little on the slow side out this way Pictures wont be Added to the Gallery until I get Home Monday Night.

The Following Results are all Unofficial GP and Mod VP are yet to be seen by me

Its a Hole that stopped Warwick racing today. Malcolm Jamieson is working on it the boat is left at the lake parked on the back of the trailer and two drums


When you need some steel for a patch where better to look than to cut a piece off the Trailer




Its just the Back that needs bit of work?


Ok so the Front is not to flash either on "Goona"

Results cant be far away might just do a short summery when i get them?

Crossing the Line Ken Lupton beat David Alexander in the final heat to give Ken Lupton wins and the NZ Title

Warwick Lupton again didn't make the start he will have to work on his Boat to see what the issue is. Scott Coker decide not to start and decide to change to the GP Engine for Tomorrow.

David Alexander lead Ken Lupton Early in the first heat.

Both Low Blow and Annihilator failed to leave there trailers for the first heat. David Alexander easily beaten by Ken Lupton who drove away after the third lap. Malcolm Jamieson came home third in KRB

Grant Pedder in "Goona" was a Goner in the first F3 race when he clip a wave and barrel rolled his Boat. Grant is Ok.

The first GP heat is about to begin very soon

Anthony Robinson in "GRA" takes out a buoy in second heat of F1 just 2 races after Lunch, the boat was undamaged. At the time he was in a great battle for 3rd with Tony Latimer in "Patriot"

Tony Latimer "Patriot" and Dave Duthie "Red Chili" in the first F1 race

Its a bloody cracker day now with 8 races out of the way before Lunch later today the two GP heats for the NZ championship will get underway. standout competitor for the day would go to Paul Robertson in Going going gone who has taken out both series 3000 races as well as a 2nd in Pro Stock to give him the unofficial NZ Series 3000 Title.

Grant checks the fuel is pumping while Jack Lupton turns over the Engine

Its very chilly with a strong frost on the ground but it should be a warm day with over 50 Race Boats turning up to the regatta. Racing will get under way around about 10am.

Andrea Robinson Celebrates her birthday Today.
Andrea and Jeff will be at the Rotoiti Regatta so wish them will and buy them a Beer

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