SECRETARY/PUBLICITY OFFICER

‘An Expression of Interest’

NEW ZEALAND POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION

The NZPBA is looking for a motivated and

experienced sales person to join their team

Qualifications/Experience required

- Sales and sponsorship experience

- Strong network with potential sponsor

  corporate/businesses

- Administration experience or capability

- Computer skills and proficiencies

- Preferably an interest in Motorsport

For further information, application form and role description please email :

raewynpalmer@paradise.net.nz

Applications close 13^th July 2007

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day but the dreaded Nor West wind blew straight up the river against an outgoing tide and never let up, the decision was made at 3.45pm to postpone the North Island F3 and Carl Augustine Challenge Trophy (NZ 2litre Inboard Championship) to first thing Sunday morning, and all other races programmed for Saturday cancelled. And as per usual within an hour of the bar being open and with most people packed up, the forecast southerly change arrived, leaving the river in perfect condition for racing. Many racers took this opportunity to test and get dialled in for the Sundays racing.

An extremely early start on Sunday, saw the water open for testing at 8.30am and racing underway by half 9.
First on the program was the North Island Formula 3 championship which saw competitors from all over the North Island line up with the starter and the first heat was won by Geoff Morrish in “Sinista” ahead of Mark Patching in “Vindicator” and Damien Kelly in “Enforca”. Both Brendan Cornes in “Total Chaos” and Luke Dawson “Nova Lightning” had problems and finished the heat a lap down on the leaders.

Heat 2 was a repeat of the first with “Sinista” and “Vindicator” fighting for the win, ahead of “Enforca”. “Nova Lightning” had a much better run and battled for the 3rd place with “Enforca”.

The NZ 2 litre inboard Championship the Carl Augustine Challenge Trophy again had a great field of boats entered and was once again led from start to finish by Steve Mathieson in the very fast “Midnight”, 2nd across the line was Tracy Gapper driving “Tempo Too” and Brodie Mathieson in “Meridian” was 3rd.

The local 3litre inboard open trophy race, the Sally Nagel Memorial was again very well supported and qualifying heats had to be run to find the fastest 6 boats for the final. The finalists were “Buckshot”, “Tempest”, “Midnight”, “Going, Going, Gone”, “Armageddon” and “Tempo Too” and their race times were spread by a mere 17 seconds over the 4 lap qualifying heats.

Into the first turn, Tony Hall in “Tempest” led the field, but as he slid wide off the buoys, “Midnight”, “Buckshot” and “Going, Going, Gone” all got inside him on the run down the back straight, but “Tempest” wound up and passed them all and was comfortably in front for turn 2 and was not challenged again, and won the race comfortably as the battle for the minor places raged behind him. Finishing in 2nd place was John Hallet in “Buckshot” and in 3rd was Paul Robertson in “Going, Going, Gone”.

Next on the program was the Bob Dunlop Memorial, the much sought after trophy for the unlimited unrestricted V8 racing runabouts and “Misty Blue” and “Wasted Nights” were neck and neck for the first lap with “WarHorse” not far behind, sadly with still two laps to run both “Misty Blue” and “WarHorse” stopped on the course leaving Peter White in “Wasted Nights” just needing to finish to take home his first major trophy race with this boat, which he did with ease.

The Ross Knight Open Hydro Cup for unlimited hydroplane saw National President and son of Ross, James Knight have his first major race in his new boat “The Phantom”, and Wellingtons Rodney Wood in “Scorpian” in their Grand National Hydroplanes do battle with the likes of “Tempest” and “Midnight” on the tight river track. And as hoped the race was spectacular as the big V8 hydros ran side by side for the first lap, “The Phantom” managed to put a few boat lengths on “Scorpian” as Rod had trouble at the top end of the course and got in amongst the willows on the exit of the upstream turn and came down the front straight with branches attached to his rear wing. Across the line was “The Phantom” was 1st, and the first ever repeat winner of the cup, (James won the inaugural event in 2002), ahead of “Scorpian” in second, and “Midnight” in 3rd place,

Manawatu’s Oxford Hotel Gold Cup for the six fastest boats and now in its 35th consecutive year would see the F1 tunnels of Hamilton’s Allan Dennis in “California Girls” and 5 time Gold Cup winner Steve Hughes in “Total Lubricants” line up against the quick hydroplanes mentioned earlier. On an outgoing tide and a slight southerly blowing, the water conditions were near perfect as the Boyz Toyz 1880 start boat took the field up under the bridge, and as expected Hughes in “Total Lubricants” led the field down the front straight, but the surprise was who was running next to him, locals “Tempest” and “The Phantom” were right beside the F1 tunnel as they came past the crowd. Out of the first turn and onto the back straight away Hughes had it all his own way and would lead the rest to the finish line for his 6th Gold Cup win and now 2nd equal with Ivan Pizzini on the all time winners list. “California Girls” had a horrid start and got caught in the rooster tails of the hydroplanes and arrived at the first turn in 5th place, but within 2 laps had got past them as he dove under them in the turns, and was soon up to second place where he crossed for the chequered flag. In third place, and the first time in years that a Manawatu boat finished on the podium was James Knight in “The Phantom”, finishing off a great weekend for him as he debuted his new boat.

All in all a successful weekend, with some exciting racing and a crash free event on the river, and a great New Years eve party to finish it all off.

Don’t forget to check out our gallery pages for pictures of this event.
 

Day one is 'Placemakers NZ National Power Boat Championships' sponsored by Placemakers.

Day two is 'Masterchill Masport Cup Regatta' sponsored by Masterchill Timaru, specialists in heat pumps and refrigeration.

Day two also features Sth Island Pro Com Title, Sth Island Mod H Title, Sth Island Mod VP Title, three rounds of F1 points, three rounds of Mod H Top Gun Series plus all other class racing.

Sponsors for this two day event are:-

1. Placemakers
2. Masterchill
3. Classic Hits
4. Stealth Performance Power Boats
5. Marine & Auto

Accommodation

Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park, ph 03 435 0613 or email holidaypark2000@xtra.co.nz This is right beside the lake and has great facilities.
Parklands Alpine Tourist Park, ph 03 435 0507 Local in Twizel Town
Omarama Hotel, ph 03 438 9713 Huge complex with excellent restaurant and bar facilities, approx 20 minutes from Lake side.
 

The first big regatta of the season for the North Island racers was at Wairarapa on 2-3 December, and unfortunately the early date ment a number of boaties failed to get their gear ready in time. The highlight of the regatta was to be the Matt Morrison Memorial and six V8 boats and a fleet of Series 3000 boats had entered but only three V8s fronted on the day. Tony McCaa made his debut with the big blown 21 foot capsule boat "HiTension" and Mike Denham in "Captain Manta" was ready to defend the cup. Alan Stiener made the trek down from up north with "Misty Blue" and hoped to be reliable, and to keep the big block boats honest. Unfortunately the wind coming in from the south kept the track rough enough that only testing could be done, as race control were not willing to start any races in the conditions. Both "Captain Manta" and "HiTension" ran and chased tune ups, and both got better with each run. All anticipated that these two going head to head would be fantastic but it was not to be. Race control held off for the conditions to get better but finally had to call it a day and the decision was made for the MMM to be the first race on Sundays program. Unfortunately Tony McCaa could not stay for the Sundays racing and headed for home so the anticipated race between Denham and McCaa never eventuated.

Sunday with a slight northerly breeze leaving the river near perfect for racing and the first race of the day was heat 1 of the Matt Morrison Memorial, which was won comfortably by Mike Denham in "Captain Manta" ahead of Paul Robertson in "Going,Going,Gone" and Malcolm Packer in "Miss Weta". The Mod H hydros and F3 tunnel boats ran a race each before heat 2 of the Matt Morrison Memorial and failing a break down it looked as tho "Captain Manta" would successfully defend the NZUURR Championship for his home club. Sadly as Mike headed past the short course on the way up the back straight on the first lap, at full noise the boat got lift off and blew over backwards and tumbled end for end in a very violent crash. The rescue crews moved quickly to rescue Mike and got him on a stretcher, altho he was conscious and talking it was clear he was not in a good way and the Paramedics went to work on assessing his condition, at this time the decision was made to call in the Westpac rescue helicopter and the paramedics prepared Mike for his flight to Wellington Hospital. Once the helicopter had left, the race control called for the drivers to re run heat 2, but out of respect for Mike and his injuries all the other competitors decided not to run. With the second heat not having run a minimum 3/4s of the race, no placings were given and the result of the first heat became the overall result for the 06/07 Matt Morrison Memorial, meaning Mike Denham in "Captain Manta" was awarded the win.

After loosing the first day to the weather and the "Captain Manta" crash the program was shortened ande some series races were dropped and the clubs feature races were run. The Plywood Cup was a hard fought battle and as I understand it a dead heat was the result, between Malcolm Packer in "Miss Weta", and Steve Mathieson in "Midnight" will share the trophy. With Brodie Mathieson and "Meridian" in 3rd.

The Flamecrusher Mod-H Cup was led for a couple of laps by the trouble plaqued "Tempest" and as it looked as tho all was back right with the boat it unfortunately stopped, leaving the way open for Steve Mathieson in "Midnight" to win the race and cup ahead of his nephew Brodie Mathison in "Meridian" in 2nd, and Tracy Gapper in "Tempo Too" finishing 3rd. The Barney Rhodes Memorial for the fastest 6 boats on the day was won by Paul Robertson in "Going Going Gone" in what was probably the race of the weekend when for most of the race Paul was obscured from the crowds view by the spray from , "Tempo Too", "Midnight"and Meridian" as all four raced for the lead. And the fore mentioned order was how they finished.

The Santano Paints Trophy, now for the second six fastest was won by Malcolm Packer in "Miss Weta" ahead of Andrea Robinson in "Wild Thing" and Bruce Packer in "Brooster". Check our gallery for a few pics of the event as well as the TGR and NZGP websites through our local links page for more info and pics of the event.

First Regatta

The first regatta of the new season for the North Island racers is this coming weekend at Wairarapa, with a large number of feature races on the program and a good number of boats entered should see some great racing.  The start of two drivers club series, as well as the Matt Morrison Memorial (NZUURR championship), the North Island Procom Title, Plywood Trophy and the clubs local feature events, the Barney Rhodes Memorial and Santano Paints Trophy.

Entries include last years Matt Morrison Memorial winner Mike Denham and "Captain Manta" hoping to make it 2 in a row but he will have to fend off the South Islanders who are coming to challenge for the sought after trophy. John Ryan with "Dancing Bear" and the big blown 21 foot "Hi Tension" of Tony McCaa are both determined to take the cup to the South Island.

Gary and soon to be Mrs. Tania Gregory have set up a website to help promote their new boat, the Wellington Club, as well as the sport in general and can be found on our local links page.

Entry forms for regattas are available online here and we will have a page set up specific for them in the next little while, in the meantime you will be able to find them here on the news page.

Invercargill Sesquicentennial Regatta hosted by the Southland Club with the support of their major sponsor the Invercargill Licensing Trust Foundation held at Oreti River, Sandy Point on 4 & 5 November 2006. Weather conditions: slight swell and wind.

South Island Championships for Grand National and Formula 3. 6 boats in Grand National and 5 in Formula 3.

Pugwash aka Kevin White, a crusty old boat racer from Riverton, always willing to help other racers and a most deserving winner of the South Island F3 in his inboard racing runabout Samarkand.

Shane Harvey (Invercargill) in "Eagle Rock" created his own chances by biding his time while still keeping his opponents aware of his presence with consistent lap times. His sheer consistency and reliability by the end of the 2 heats had him at the top of the points table and a worthy recipient of the South Island Grand National title.

Southlands big annual race, the Wes Varcoe Memorial was won in fine style by Jeff Price from Christchurch in his newly acquired Formula 1 tunnel "VDO". Second was Julian Stilwell in "Resene".Third was Steve Pope in "Xfactor".

Several feature races and the South Island Pro Com championship were unable to be held because of unfavourable weather conditions on the Sunday.

Adding to Shane Harvey's weekend was the presentation of the Ruddenklau Cup for most points for the regatta.

Other Southland Club competitors who showed good potential for the coming season were James Seaton in "Mainland Miss", Alistair Gorrie in "Thunderstruck", Norm Butler in "Challenger", Mike Harvey in "Aquanaut", Alan Ballantyne driving Ricky Mitchell's "Lil Devil", Garth Funnell in "Outlaw" and Andrew Railton in "Ascot Park Hotel". Other visiting competitors were Craig Stevenson in "Kaos", John Ryan in "Dancing Bear" and Darryl Friend in "Terminator".

WPBC AGM

Wellington Power Boat Club had their AGM recently and have had a change around at the top table, their new Commodore is Jeff Robinson, Secretary is Pamela Ford and the Club Captain is Malcolm Packer.

Madison Blues is stepping up a class, the current Series 3000 national champion Mike Wotton is having a 6 litre chev built and will compete this year in Pro Stock, the boat should be ready in time for the Manawatu Gold Cup at New Years.

"VDO" has been sold and now resides in Christchurch. Owner and driver of the quick Mod VP "Exported", Jeff Price has purchased the boat and all the spares and will step upto the F1 class. Jeff will change engines on the bullet ski boat and run that in the Formula V class also so will be in for a busy season.

The Wairarapa Power Boat Club, after some debate will run its major regatta in early December and host the Matt Morrison Memorial Cup, the NZUURR championship on the Ruamahunga River. Entry forms will be out to clubs and drivers in the next few days.

Wellington will have its first club day of the new season on Sunday the 12th of November at Porirua, scrutineering at midday and racing starts at 2pm.

Southland Powerboat Club

Southland Power Boat Club invite boaties to attend our Invercargill Sesquicentennial regatta on 4 & 5 November 2006 on Oreti river, Invercargill.

South Island Championships for Formula 3; Grand National and Procom.

Entry fees according to rulebook; postal address P.O. Box 1066,Invercargill.

Accommodation available at Clubrooms
Any enquiries to Brian or Rose at 03 2144006 or 021900611.

Regatta programme is as follows and may be altered by race committee.

Saturday.
Race1 Invitation Inboard Outboard V/B Sealed Handicap
Race 2 Heat 1 South Island F3
J class or display
Race 3 Heat 1 Wes Varcoe Memorial O/B Open
Race 4 Heat 2 South Island F3
J class or display
Race 5 Invitation Sealed Handicap I/B Hydros;Heat 1 Phil Brown Memorial
Race 6 Clubmans Handicap
Race 7 Heat 1 Crosbie Shield
Race 8 Handicap Race (2nd 10)
Race 9 Heat 2 Crosbie Shield
Race 10 Invitation Scratch Race nonCrosbie Shield field
J class or display
Race 11 Inboard sealed Handicap
Race 12 Heat 2 Wes Varcoe Memorial O/B Open
Race 13 Heat 3 Crosbie Shield.


Sunday
Race 1 Heat 1 South Island Procom
Race 2 Heat 1 South Island GN
Race 3 Outboard Invitation
Race 4 Handicap F3 etc
Race 5 Heat 2 South Island Procom
Race 6 Heat 2 South Island GN
Race 7 Invitation O/B Sealed Handicap.
Race 8 Invitation I/B
Race 9 Scratch Race F3 etc.
Race 10 Heat 1 King of Oyster beds
Race 11 Commodores Invitation ( next10)
Race 12 Heat 2 King of Oyster beds.

Racing at Lake Dunstan, Cromwell on 18 & 19 November.

Regards
Rose; the Secretary.

Geyserland Regatta Entry & Accommodation Info

A few documents were sent in, one being accommodation available for boaties for the weekend 13/14 January for Geyserland regatta.

A map of Mangakino if you need to see where the places are,

And the third is a copy of the Geyserland entry form for their club day 5 November at Lake Maraetai

General News

24th August 2006

We now have our forums open, so please log on and register and post any info
or discussion you want to get rolling.
The forums will have a members only area that will only be accesible to
registered owners, drivers and officials as well as a public discussion area
and maybe at a later date class specific threads.

Check out our eStore as there are a couple of new items for sale.

Our downloads page also has the new Boat rego, License application and
Drivers medical forms available for your use. Please check that you have the
correct address when sending stuff, new addresses are with the forms and
also on our updated contacts page.

Drivers clubs AGMs for Series 3000, Grand National and GP, will all be held
on Saturday the 26th of September in Taupo, Modified Hydroplane drivers club
will meet on October 7th for their AGM also in Taupo. Please check with the
respective drivers club secretaries for the start times and venue if you
wish to attend.

Tsunami Insurance Joint Do

Friday 11 August – 7.30pm onwards

Joint do between Wgtn Power Boat Club and Capital Rodders

Entry – everyone bring a mystery parcel worth between $5 and $50 to auction

Bring something for supper. Bring a friend if you have one.

2006 EC Griffiths Cup will screen on Sky TV this week in the following time slots:
Wednesday 2nd Aug/06 - 10.30pm - SKY Sport 1
Thursday 4th Aug/06 - 12.30am - SKY Sport 1
Friday 5th Aug/06 - 8.00pm - SKY Sport 2
Sunday7th Aug/06 - 2.30am - SKY Sport 2

Series 3000 Drivers AGM

The Series 3000 Drivers Club AGM is to be held at The Suncourt Motor Hotel on Saturday 26th August, 2006 at 2.30 pm in Lemuels Conference rooms, same venue as last year. 

Apologies to the secretary:

Andrea Robinson

30 Franklyn Road

Tawa 5028.

Ph 04 232 4585 / 027 269 1223 or email Andrea.Robinson@ccdhb.org.nz

Sky TV will televise the Auckland/Manukau Swashbucklers VB Powerboat Regatta from Mangere Bridge at the following times.
27th April 1700 Sky 1
28th April 2130 Sky 3
29th April 1800 Sky 2
30th April 1230 Sky 1
8th May 0630 Sky 2
13th May 0600 Sky 2
Set your video recorders and be sure to catch it.

Formula 3 Series @ Wellington

Also at the Wellington regatta the F3 Drivers Series had its final round of racing and the drivers were awarded their final placing plaques. The SST60 class was this year proudly supported by Westview Aluminium Ltd and the SST45 class by Mobil Warkworth. Our thanks go out to these sponsors for there support of a class that truly showed some fantastic racing and also brought some new talent to the sport in the form of some young and enthusiastic drivers.  The series was very competitive and the points went down to the wire, particularly in the 45 class as this went right down to the final race.

CLASS 2 (SST45) 1st Too Keane Garin Keane 2nd Black Thunder Josh Preece 3rd DuPont Philip Stilwell 4th Swashbuckler Travis Robertson 5th Wild Thing Grant Pedder 6th Suzie 4 Dale Prendergast

CLASS 1 (SST60) 1st Sinista Geoff Morrish 2nd Black Thunder Josh Preece 3rd Instigator Jamie Hargraves 4th DuPont Philip Stilwell 5th Velocity Scott Dennis 6th Strikezone Peter Swinkels 7th Total Kaos Brendon Cornes 8th Disturbed Daniel Mooney