Manawatu River roaring with power boats

Manawatu Power Boat Club's Luke Dunlop, 17, on his way to winning the NZ Formula 3 Championship in Rotorua last weekend. WGP 09Mar18 - MANAWATU Power Boat Club's Luke Dunlop, 17, on his way to win

This weekend, Manawatu Power Boat Club day and Gold Cup Regatta, will see the Manawatu River thunder into life with the roaring spectacle of power boats from all over the country.

Two action-packed days will be hosted by the Manawatu Power Boat Club, with a club day and the Matt Morrison Memorial Trophy for unlimited V8 racing runabouts on Saturday, and the Gold Cup race on Sunday.

Manawatu Power Boat Club committee member Kent Dunlop, who has won the memorial event for the last five years, said it was a challenge race, where the defending club hosted the competition. Sunday's coveted Gold Cup race is in its 47th year, with heats and finals for competitors from both islands set to reach speeds of more than 200kph.

F1 tunnel boats, hydroplanes and V8 racing runabouts will all make an appearance, which Dunlop called "a real spectacle."

Racers will also be contesting the Bob Dunlop Trophy for V8 Inboards, Ross Knight Memorial for Hydroplanes and Sally Nagel Memorial for up to three-litre inboard boats.

The hosting Manawatu club has just returned from another successful nationals in Rotorua, winning the Canadian Trophy for most successful club at the event.

Luke Dunlop, aged 17, took out the F3 Championship at Rotorua's Blue Lake in his first year in an adult grade against a tough field of competitors with more years' experience and more financial resources, while Mason Dunlop won the NZ Mod VP Championship, along with significant placing from other members, which contributed to the win, Mr Dunlop said.

Club Commodore Bayden Sprozan said he was excited for another great event for the club at Whirokino this weekend.

"We certainly are moving forward as a club, both on and off the water, with club numbers increasing and national success growing for club boats year to year now," he said.

Spectators are welcome at the weekend's events, with racing starting at 10am both days.

Manawatu Power Boat Club Day and Gold Cup Regatta, Saturday March 10th and Sunday March 11th from 10am. Adults $10, children under 14 free.

Food and coffee on site. Turn off between the two Foxton river bridges and head west along Matakarapa Rd.