Lake Mulwala comes alive with power boat racing

by Grant Harrison on 13 Sep 2010 Keep the last weekend in November (25-28th) free to be in Yarrawonga to witness the world’s fastest power boats in action vying for the U.I.M. World Championship.

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.

Seattle based GP-12 team pilot N.Mark Evans is excited about coming down under to contest the U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship. Competing on the U.S.A. Grand Prix circuit the GP-12 team are currently in second position in the point standings and are hoping to take out another National Championship to go with their 2007 and 2008 titles. The team missed out last year due to a spectacular crash which put them on the sidelines for quite a few of the championship rounds.

GP-12 team owner Bob Schellhase and pilot N.Mark Evans are very well respected racing personalities in America. Schellhase holds many records and is the current world record holder in a limited outboard. Evans has also won National championships, competed for over 30 years and is an icon in the world power boat scene. Having previously retired from driving duties, Evans was lured out of retirement by Schellhase to pilot the very impressive GP-12.

A journey down under to race is one goal both men have yet to achieve however this will be accomplished in late November when they compete for the GP World Championship on Lake Mulwala, Yarrawonga against the Aussie and Kiwi Grand Prix teams.

It is expected at least 10 teams will compete and fight for the U.I.M World Championship. GP hydros are the fastest automotive power boats in the world and can reach speeds in excess of 180mph (270kph) on a liquid race track over an 1800 metre oval circuit.

This is only the second time ever that the World Championship has been conducted in Australia and the first in Victoria. Combining with the ever popular Lake Mulwala Power festival, the event will be a real crowd pleaser with many other attractions both on and off the water.

Also being showcased are the Blown Alcohol Displacement boats and many other high speed classes. The festival has grown to include an on water and land exhibition of the fabulous and beautiful Classic Wooden Power Boats of times gone by for the history buffs. The amazingly beautiful Sea Craft Syndicate boats will also be on show along with the magnificent drag boats. Displays throughout the day, by the nimble and powerful Jet Sprint boats will literally get you wet with spray as they do demo runs close to the shore.

On land the festival has an array of ski and fishing boat trade displays together with the usual market stalls of clothing, wine tasting and all types of produce, plus scenic helicopter flights over beautiful Lake Mulwala.

For the first time the Lake Mulwala Power festival has the dare devil Whip Industries Dirt Bike display to wow those needing more rushes of adrenalin.

The event has now extended to four days with international teams setting up on Thursday and testing and tuning. Friday is official practice time for all teams and classes with the Grand Prix Hydroplane qualifying heats in the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday will be two days of furious racing action and Monday is reserved as a backup race day in case of inclement weather.

More at www.lakemulwalapower.com.au and www.gpworlds.vicapba.com.au