Super Fast ! Super Light ! Grand Prix Hydroplane arrives in NZ
by Denise Moughan on 5 Dec 2012
Cheetah - Ken Lupton - Acceleration on Water Festival of Speed Jeremy Ward
Waverley Grand Prix Hydroplane driver Ken Lupton will debut his new hydroplane named ‘Cheetah' at the 10th Anniversary of the Downtown Wanganui Flying Lap competition this weekend 8-9th December.
660 (44 KB):The Acceleration on Water Festival of Speed will feature not only the powerful Grand Prix Hydroplane beast but the slick and fast turning Formula one Tunnel. Luke Sharp ‘Prompt Parts’ from Auckland recently took the NZ water speed record at 231.908 km (144.132 mph) he will be the one to beat on this narrow challenging course.
Not one to be beaten Lupton purchased the very last masterpieces built buy American hydroplane legend ‘Ron Jones Senior' ‘Cheetah’ is carbon fibre, almost half the weight of Lupton’s previous boat ‘Annihilator 3’. The boat arrived into Auckland last week from Australia. Its was shipped from Seattle in August to Melbourne to be fitted with the latest in hardware and install a race pack system which allows engine data to be downloaded to a computer . Engine Builder Brett Niddrie can monitor the engines performance after every run. Powered buy a 510 cubic inch Big Chief Lupton expects to reach top speed of 200mph.
Also out of the Waverley stables is two time World Grand Prix Hydroplane Champion Warwick Lupton. Lupton senior has been developing a Kiwi design built hydroplane over the past 18 months. Designed to turn more like a F1 tunnel quicker than a Hydroplane, builder Malcolm Jamieson has recently re designed the sponsons making them wider hoping that this will give ‘Annihilator Race Boats ‘ the edge on his rival GP drivers and the slick turning F1 tunnels. First time this boat has been on the Wanganui course, Lupton himself last drove his Annihilator GP007 is very familiar with the course and is not about to be beaten by the younger drivers.
‘Fair warning’ Scott Coker and ‘Annihilator 2’ David Alexander both previous winners of the Flying Lap competition are prepared and ready to go not letting the thought of these new Hydroplanes or the slick Formula Tunnels rattle them.
The annual competition which is held between the City & Motorway bridges is a challenging course for these 2500 HP machines kicks off at 11.30am Saturday and 12.30pm Sunday.
FREE entry plenty of refreshments and entertainment for all. The event is proudly supported by Wanganui.com, Media works and Acceleration on Water.
For further information check out www.accelerationonwater.co.nz
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/104406
