Hydroplane heavyweights

BAY of Plenty petrolheads are in for a spectacular treat this summer with the thunder of some of the world's fastest hydroplanes set to shake downtown Tauranga.
Following successful talks between hydroplane racing's national body and local authorities, the first leg of the hydroplane world grand prix championship will be tearing Tauranga Harbour adjacent to The Strand on the weekend of January 17-18.
New Zealand's Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club, who will host the world championships, saw Tauranga as the perfect setting, event organiser Denise Moughan said this week.
``The World GP was first held in New Zealand in 2000 and, in the four times we've staged it in this country, next year will be the first time we've held it away from Lake Karapiro,' Moughan said.
``Previously we'd taken it to the public by holding qualifying at Wanganui, but this time it's a three-regatta series, with the other rounds at Rotorua (Jan 31-Feb 1) and Karapiro (Feb 7-8).
"At Wanganui we get about 10,000 spectators, and we're hoping it's going to be a really big thing for Tauranga. It's about 10-12 years since hydroplanes raced in Tauranga Harbour _ it's an awesome venue.
``With the Grand Prix course stretching from near the traffic [Harbour] bridge to past where the Kestrel [restaurant] is now, spectators along The Strand and Dive Crescent will have an amazing view (and) these hydroplanes are so powerful you'll feel the ground shake and they can whip up a rooster tail close to 30m high.'
Among the Kiwis set ready to rumble here is current world champion, Waverley's Warwick Lupton, whose Annihilator GP007 packs a supercharged 510cu in Chev powerplant. While a thumping 1500hp (1119kW) can catapult it to more than 280km/h, Moughan expects the leading Grand Prix craft to top out at 250-260km/h on the tight Tauranga course.
Three GP races are scheduled over the weekend.
At least four Aussie contenders are expected to cross the Tasman for the series, including '04 world champ Grant Harrison.
Together with an additional race weekend at Wanganui on February 21-22 and another in March in Australia, the three GP rounds also comprise the summer's transtasman series. While US and Canadian entries are yet to be confirmed, a couple of top-level competitors are expected. As well as the GP class there'll be a full card of race divisions. Categories include Formula 1 and Formula 3 tunnel boats, plus the 3-litre and 6-litre hydroplane divisions. There'll be a few local hopes for the crowd to cheer on, too. Young Tauranga siblings Brody and Chelsey Mathieson will be amongst it in the 3-litre modified class, sharing driving duties in their boat Meridian.
Geoff Robinson, 2000 NZ modified champ, is also a likely starter, while fellow Tauranga driver Peter White will contest the Procom division. In all, about 40 boats are expected to be on the water.
``Local people are getting behind it and there will also be locals amongst the action _ it's great,' Moughan said.