The EC Griffith Cup is on Again on Lake Mulwala

by John Thomas on 28 Aug 2008
The E.C. Griffith Cup is an annual challenge between the fastest Hydroplanes of Australia and New Zealand. November 29th & 30th 2008 will be the 95th running of this event.

The Victorian Speed Boat Club and Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism invite all boat racing fans to come and witness the thrills and excitement of powerboat racing at its best.

If it is high power adrenalin flowing action that you’re after, you cannot afford to miss this weekend. So come to Lake Mulwala and watch the Australian and New Zealand powerboats go head to head for the 95th running of the E.C. Griffith Cup, Australasia’s premier powerboat challenge. These powerboats are the fastest hydroplanes in Australia and New Zealand. The full supporting program also includes the second year of The Yarrawonga Gold Cup Challenge and many races featuring other categories of displacement and hydroplane boats.

The EC Griffith Cup is the oldest International motor sport trophy in the southern hemisphere and rates along side the American Gold Cup and British Harmsworth Trophy. It is the Australasian Unlimited Inboard Open Championship and attracts competitors from all over Australia and New Zealand with the winner having the right to host the next event.
The Yarrawonga Gold Cup is an Unlimited Open race for unlimited size engines, whether they are hydroplanes, displacements or tunnels, inboard or outboard, it puts the amazing cornering and acceleration from the outboards against the massive horsepower and top end speed of the inboards.

The only Open watercourse on this season’s major events calendar, Lake Mulwala caters to large fields of boats; all classes of race boats are able to run there. There is ample space in the pit area for trailer-launched boats and a separate area for twelve crane boats with enough space for three cranes. The combined pit area can accommodate over 70 boats. Outboards are well catered for as dock starts can be done from the foreshore; this was very successful at the 2007 event.

Heats and finals of the EC Griffith Cup will be held on Saturday 29th November from 10.00am to 4.30pm. The program features non-stop action with other classes such 6L Hydros and Displacements, 4.2 and 5.2 Displacements, 1.6L hydros and plenty of outboard racing. Sunday will feature the Yarrawonga Gold Cup with racing again between 10.00am and 4.30pm.

Trophy races include 'The Les Spears' Unlimited Displacement, 'The Geoff Horne' Six Litre Hydroplane, 'The Jack Kavanagh' Six Litre Displacement, 'Haebich Trophy' 1.6 Litre Hydroplane, 'Browning Bros. Trophy' 5.2Litre Displacement and 'Weygood Trophy' 4.2 Litre Displacement.

Lake Mulwala is in an ideal location as it is centrally placed between capital cities, many regional centers are within one hours drive.

Yarrawonga is a major tourist attraction; renowned for its wonderful climate, this picturesque piece of regional Victoria and New South Wales is an 'Inland Aquatic Paradise' for visitors.

Lake Mulwala is far more than irrigation storage; it is an attractive drawcard to the area and is largely responsible for the booming tourism industry in Yarrawonga-Mulwala. The lake is a recreational haven for water-based activities, from the pursuit of the elusive Murray Cod, to the faster pace of water skiing, speedboat racing and parasailing.

As this event has been held over many years at Yarrawonga and a strong supporter base has developed with race fans returning each year to witness this spectacular. 2008 is expected to be bigger and better than ever.

Enjoy everything that Yarrawonga has to offer, while enjoying the action packed weekend of powerboat racing. A fun weekend for the Family too. Yarrawonga/ Mulwala will always turn it on.

For further information including sponsorship opportunities and general information about the races please log onto www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au and go to 'what’s on'. Remember to Book early. For Accommodation assistance why not call the free call number 1800 062 260 and take away the stress of sourcing that booking yourself, Caravan Parks, Hotels/Motels/Resorts/ Apartments/Houses / Units, all waiting for your visit. For those who love browsing the web site, you can also book any accommodation directly: www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au

The Mulwala Water Ski Club shall be the venue for the Competitor Welcome night and will give race fans a chance to meet the drivers and crews. The draw for pole positions will also be conducted on the Friday Night.

Presentations will also be held at the Ski Club after the final race. This has been very successful in the past with a large number of competitors in attendance.

This will be the 95th running of the EC Griffith Cup and will be an unforgettable weekend for water and boating enthusiasts.

For more Information check out www.goldcup.vsbc.org.au or www.vsbc.org.au