The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club, Manukau Auckland Speedboat Club in association with Acceleration on Water Ltd would like to invite you to a great weekend for the 2023 NZ Powerboat Nationals, Hydro Thunder NZ Championship series & 98th Masport Cup at Lake Karapiro February 11-12th 2023. To date we have over 80 entries which is awesome thank you to all of you who have entered. Certainly plenty of racing both days with several feature races also Marsh Motorsport, Masport Cup, and the Dennis Taylor Memorial.
Accommodation: I understand that the onsite camping is booked, I have been told they have only allocated 20 camp sites which is unfortunate try the Top Ten Holiday Park in Cambridge if you are having trouble getting accommodation.
Onsite refreshments: The downstairs bar in the complex will be open both days from 11am.
Liquor Ban: Domain grounds and camping there is a 24/7 liquor ban in place in the Domain grounds and the camp grounds from Friday 10th -13th Feb, however the bar will be open in the bottom room of the complex you are welcome to have refreshments their during the day from 11am- 6pm both days
Safety & Rescue:
Marine Medical Services will be on the water with two paramedic divers, others to assist will NZPBA Rescue team and Manukau Auckland rescue boat, Donald Falconer and a Jet Ski special thanks to Mark Taitini and Yamaha. Safety is our priority ☺
For those who have an air system in their boats can you please check that your air fittings are up to date if you have any issues please talk with the Rescue teams either Calvin Hicks or Shane Pennington.
Breath Testing: This will be compulsory for the Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers and random testing for other teams and drivers.
Gate Entry: is $25.00 per adult, two day pass $45.00, children 12yrs under FREE, – Each team will be given (5) tickets, you are welcome to purchase more tickets at $5.00 you can collect your tickets on Friday from the registration tent, If you have to pay to get in the gate then we will reimburse you and give you passes for the Sunday. (Please don’t argue with the gate keepers they are only doing their job)
Security: There will be security on site overnight from 5pm-6am Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights
Friday: Set up we encourage you to get organised Friday as we have a full program on Saturday this will save time, there will be allocated areas for your classes.
Registration: Open for registration from 10am on the Friday at the Lucas Oil Tent which will be set up top of the embankment in front of the top pits. Saturday morning from 7am.
Modified Hydroplane & Grand National your classes will be set up at the bottom of the camping ground where there will be a crane for your use only. Big thanks to Rex Henderson for organising this Rex will also be your go to for that area.
Scrutineering: We will start scrutineering on Friday and would like to get as many boats through as possible to make it a lot easier on the Saturday morning. Thank you to Brenden Hall and Tony Ward they will be managing the scrutineering.
TESTING:
The Lake will be open for testing on Friday 10th from 1pm – 4.30pm as you can see we have a pretty full on race program so there will be limited time for testing on Saturday morning (30 mins).
Volunteers:
As they say many hands make light work if you can spare some time over the weekend to help with the following please let me know.
Timing – if you can commit to (5) races would be great that means no one has to be stuck their all weekend.
If you simply would like to help out please contact me I’m sure we can find something fun for you to do ☺
PRIZE GIVING:
With 67 races over the two days we had no choice but to have a rolling program which means we possibly will carry some of the 3rd heats over to the Sunday for this reason we will have a split prize giving. At the end of racing on the Saturday trophies will be presented to the winners of the classes that have been completed. The same will happen and the end of racing on the Sunday with prize giving to be 30 mins after the last race.
Live Streaming & TV 3 CRC Motorsports program.
We are pleased to announce that this weekend will be livestreaming of all the races via facebook and youtube. Facebook will be via Hydro Thunder and Acceleration on Water facebook pages and youtube on the Hydro Thunder NZ Series page and gphydroplane.co.nz website.
We will endeavour to interview each winner of every race, straight after the race we ask that if you are one of those winners can you please be presentable either in your overalls or team shirts you will be given a sponsors hat to wear for your interview. A special area will be set up for this which we will discuss further with you at Drivers Briefing on Saturday morning.
(2) x 30 min programs have been secured on TV3 CRC Motorsports show ,footage from both days will be used to make up these two programs which is exciting for the sport so we are keen to make the best impression we can.
Safe travels to you all if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me denise@accelerationonwater.co.nz 0272503504 or Rod Vennell rod@accelerationonwater.co.nz or 0276122762
Thanks – Denise Preece & Rod Vennell
Acceleration on Water & Hydro Thunder Team
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