Lupton shows power at Rotoiti
Whanganui power boat racer Jack Lupton clinched a hat-trick of Masport Cup victories at Lake Rotoiti on Sunday.
The 92nd contest for the prestigious Masport Cup, the sport’s top trophy, was the feature race of the Enzed Rotoiti Power Boat Regatta, staged at the Nelson Lakes venue on Saturday and Sunday.
Lupton, driving GP57, won both heats despite being pushed hard by his brother Ken Lupton, in Lucas Oils, during the first heat and then Raymond Hart, piloting The Boss, in the second race.
Boats participated in qualifying to narrow down the final field to 10, who then competed in two heats to decide the victor. Competition was extremely tight, however Jack Lupton’s outright speed saw him unbeatable over the fourlap course.
Consistent performances allowed Scott Coker, driving Fair Warning, to clinch second place overall from Ken Lupton in third.
The foreshore of Lake Rotoiti was packed with boats, drivers, support crews and a throng of spectators over both days which saw racing in ideal conditions, with no wind, flat water and even contests.
Organisers suggested the crowds were the largest seen at Lake Rotoiti in decades. Rotoiti Power Boat Club president Andy Morris felt the feature events on both days lived up to their exciting billing, with close racing from over 60 boats filling the 40-race programme during a relatively incident-free weekend.
The Matt Morrison Memorial Trophy for V8 inboards was taken out over two heats by the current holder, Kent Dunlop in Razors Edge, from fellow North Islander Cody Wooton, driving Sundance Kid, and the consistent Dancing Bear of Ben Ryan from Christchurch.
Nelson driver Chris Du Feu claimed the Railway Cup in his Formula 3 boat, Dark Horse. The Pelorus Jack Trophy was taken out by Predator, driven by North Islander Brodie Mathieson, from Tony Hall’s boat, Foreno Tapware, and Ryan in Dancing Bear.
A crowd favourite, the Fulton Hogan King Of the Lake Beach Start, was taken out by evergreen GP Hydroplane The Boss, driven by Raymond Hart who edged out New Zealand champion driver Julian Stilwell in his Formula 1 craft, Johnston and Associates.
The Bill McCaa Memorial, named after a Blenheim power boating identity, was won by Whatever, driven by Carl Ryan. The Duffys Cup, in memory of Nelson club member Michael Du Feu who recently passed away, fittingly resulted in a Rotoiti club trifecta in the clubman boats, Patrick Morris winning from father Andy Morris and Craig Merrion.
Club spokesman Joe Blakiston acknowledged the assistance of the Department of Conservation who continue to welcome the regatta in such a spectacular setting, as well the volunteers who worked hard before, during and after the event.