Warwick Lupton wants to regain E.C Griffith Cup

by Lake Mulwala Power media on 16 Nov 2008 New Zealander Warwick Lupton, a legend in New Zealand power boating is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to regain Australasia’s most prestigious powerboat title the ‘E.C Griffith Cup’. This event in now in its 95th year, which makes it the southern hemisphere’s oldest motor sport trophy.

First contested in 1905 it has been a battle between Australia and New Zealand and once again the Kiwi’s are being represented by three New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane teams.

The biggest name in this year’s quest is Waverly farmer Warwick Lupton. Lupton has won this title before at Paynesville in 2001 and is the current U.I.M. World Grand Prix Hydroplane Champion. His boat ‘Annihilator’ competes at speeds up to 290kph (180mph). Lupton was testing in New Zealand before shipping his craft and equipment to take on Australia’s best on Lake Mulwal at Yarrawonga in Victoria.

“It went pretty well, we’re on song. Our boat seemed to be flying” Lupton said.

“This was the first test and we were testing heavily before going to Aussie because there’s a fair bit more competition this year. We thought we made some great improvements today, so we’re real happy with the way we’re running. I think we are quicker than last year. We were trying to get maximum speed down the straightaway, we were trying to improve the acceleration, and the handling through the rough.”

Grand Prix Hydroplanes are like lightning, here and gone in less than a second leaving nothing but the roar of an angry engine and a massive wall of water.

The weekend starts with practice on Friday and a street parade through the main street of Yarrawonga commencing at 5.00pm with the drivers and boats then available to have your photo taken at ClubMulwala and at the Mulwala Water Ski Club.

Lake Mulwala Power opens on the Yarrawonga Foreshore at 9am Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, with presentations concluding the event at 4pm Sunday.

ClubMulwala will host the Saturday Evening Presentations of the other race winners and the E.C.Griffith Cup whilst Mulwala Water Ski Club will be hosting the Yarrawonga Gold Cup Presentation and other race winners on Sunday Evening.

For further information on the Lake Mulwala Power Festival, accommodation or any other assistance, why not phone the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre on free call 1800 062 260 or (03) 5744 1989.

http://www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au