Waverley keeps custody of silverware

Waverley's David Alexander drove The Steeler to win the AE Baker trophy on Sunday. Photo/Supplied

The Lupton-family monopoly of the AE Baker trophy was ended but the prize will not leave Waverley as David Alexander claimed the silverware on Lake Karapiro.

A cousin of two-time World Grand Prix champion Warwick Lupton, Alexander drove The Steeler to good finishes in both heats of the feature event at the final round of the Acceleration on Water Festival of Speed tour.

Cyclone Lusi proved an annoyance as the crews could not have warmup laps on Saturday, while Alexander's crew opted to keep the original 1200hp engine of their Canadian-imported hydroplane in place, rather than changing out to a more powerful engine they recently bought.

Despite being 600hp behind the Luptons, Alexander kept out of trouble to win his first Australasian-recognised championship.

"It was pretty good to win the cup. We're just getting more and more used to it," he said. "We just kept running, and finished."

Denise Preece, president of the New Zealand Powerboat Federation, said rookie driver Jack Lupton had a spectacular crash in GP57 during the first heat.

"Riding the boat too high, Jack came down on a roller and flat spun the boat at 150mph.

"The boat suffered some damage which put Jack out for the rest of the day - Jack was unhurt."

Father Warwick Lupton was leading on the first heat but had to withdraw with engine problems.

Lupton senior won the second heat but Alexander claimed the cup on points.

There is always work to be done improving each hydroplane's individual racing package and The Steeler is no exception.

Alexander said they want to get the new engine installed to catch up with the power of the others, while also putting in a gearbox as opposed to direct driving.

The remaining big race of the season is the EC Griffith Cup in Australia in April, although it remains to be seen if Alexander or any local drivers will be able to attend.

Last year at Bacchus Marsh near Melbourne, Ken Lupton came second in the Australasian championship event, despite having to change to an engine with half the horsepower of his opposition.