Pix from Thunder on Lake Karapiro Day One

by Evan Pegden - Waikato Times and Powerboat World on 10 Feb 2008 Power boat racing is booming in New Zealand if this weekend's Thunder on the Lake at Lake Karapiro is anything to go by. Here are some action pix from Day One of the Lake Karapiro event.

About 80 competitors have entered their boats for the two-day event and experienced Waverley grand prix hydroplane racer Warwick Lupton, who will be in action with the other big guns on Sunday believes it shows the sport is on the rise.

'That's the most boats we've had for years. It's quite a big meeting,' said Lupton, who is looking to get the Masport Cup back off his cousin David Alexander when the grand prix boats do battle.

'I think the sport's going up another level. It's a bit more professional now and (NZ Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers' Club secretary and events organizer) Denise (Moughan) does a good job organising these events,' he said.

'And we need to lift the level of it, get some new blood in there, which looks like it is happening.'

Moves are afoot to establish a standardized hydroplane class to boost participation and a race series within the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland areas is planned.

While there is talk of several new faces on the grand prix hydroplane scene next summer, including jet sprint king Mark Cromie, half a dozen top boats will vie for the Masport Cup and first points in the national series, chased by a number of tunnel hull craft.

There was strong competition in the other classes on Saturday as Phillip Hoskyn's picture show.

On Sunday Alexander will be defending his crown in Annihilator 2 from Warwick Lupton in Annihilator, Lupton's son Ken in Annihilator 3, Melbourne's Tom Heffernan in Dragula, Christchurch's Mike Ryan in Low Blow and Otorohanga racer Scott Coker in Fair Warning.

A total of 15 boats have entered the national grand prix series first round, meaning heats will have to be run.