Luptons battle for honours

UP TO PACE: Jack Lupton has found the speed he needs for his GP57 hydroplane ahead of the Masport Cup this weekend.PHOTOS/JEREMY WARD, WWW.SHOT360.CO.NZ

THE QUESTION as always for hydroplane racing is which of Waverley's Lupton family members will get his, or her, hands on the 91st Masport Cup this weekend on Lake Karapiro.

Two-time world champion and Lupton family patriarch Warwick took the 90th running of the cup last year, regaining it from his youngest son Jack who, at 18, was the youngest winner in 2013.

However, entering this summer season, Jack Lupton is right back to form in his Rural Fuels GP57, as two weekends ago he won the NZ Grand Prix National Hydroplane Championship title at Lake Maraetai, Mangakino, and was also crowned the King of the Nationals.

A seven-strong field for the Grand Prix Hydroplanes lines up for the two-day event starting tomorrow, with older Lupton brother Ken ready to go after testing this week on his Lucas Oils craft, while it is sister Jamie-Lee who will continue as the first women to drive at this level.

Jamie Lee-Lupton was a rookie at last year's Masport Cup event and after Warwick was victorious, he stepped out to allow her to enter the Dennis Taylor Memorial, which is a beach-start event.

The fuel line broke on the Annihilator boat, catching fire, with Jamie-Lee pulled to safety after some minor damage to the craft.

Warwick Lupton went back in the cockpit for the 2015 NZ Powerboat nationals in Cromwell only to have a spectacular high speed crash at 180mph.

He has seeded the cockpit to his daughter this year for the full Cup weekend.

Rivals to the family will include Otorohonga's Scott Coker being back after a season break, while the hard charge of "The Boss" Raymond Hart from Christchurch can't be discounted.

But after posting a 35.3s lap on a mile and a quarter course a fortnight ago, it is Jack Lupton who has all the confidence that after tinkering on his imported craft for two seasons, that GP57 will now not be touched.

"There's a bit more heat [amongst the family].

"I haven't seen a boat in New Zealand do [35.3s] in a little while.

"I really knuckled down and had a talk with the Canadians - which is where the boat is from.

"It's taken me three years to get it where it is.

"It's probably one of the most proven designs in the world."

Lupton will keep looking to make further adjustments and improvements over the weekend, as he is currently in negotiations to take the the boat to compete in Australia, as Ken Lupton did two years ago.

"[Getting] that last ten tenths [of a second] is the hardest part."

Also featured at the Masport Cup will be a round of the Formula One Tunnels Series, clubmans, Junior Class racing, Modified Hydroplanes and Mark Cromie in his turbine powered jet boat.

NZ Powerboat Federation president Denise Preece said there will be excellent facilities with plenty of food, entertainment, giveaways and a giant water slide makes for the kids.

Racing starts at 11am both days. www.accelerationonwater.co.nz.