Yarrawonga Mulwala will reverberate with the familiar rumble of the GP Hydroplanes over Anzac Day weekend for the next three years and hopefully beyond.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism & Business (YMTB) have entered a partnership with the Victorian Speed Boat Club (VSBC) to host the EC Griffith Cup on April 24, 25 and 26 this year with the VSBC also committing to the Anzac weekend for the long term.
The Mulwala Water Ski Club (MWSC) has also joined the partnership as a major sponsor alongside YMTB.
YMTB Executive Noel Wright told the Yarrawonga Chronicle on Monday the partnership if successful will continue and allow for the event to realise its full potential.
“If successful, the partnership is a three-year deal with a three-year extension clause,” Mr Wright said.
“YMTB will be responsible for the onshore activities with opportunities to earn back some of our sponsorship support.
“We are looking at extending the Farmer’s Market for the Saturday and Sunday, sideshow alley for the kids, thrill rides for older kids and some static displays.
“Onshore we are hoping to create in conjunction with the MWSC an atmosphere consistent with the Valleyfield event in Canada.
“The three day event will be free for all to enter. It should be a great opportunity for families all over the region to enjoy the festivities on the foreshore shore and watch some boat racing as well.” The 2020 EC Griffith Cup Carnival will see Lake Mulwala play host to a full schedule of races for a variety of boat classes over three days.
Mr Wright is hopeful a New Zealand contingent will also cross the ditch and line up again alongside the Aussie boats.
“We are working with the New Zealanders (The Lupton family) to confirm they will come over for the event again which will give it an international feel.”
The EC Griffith Cup gets its name from the trophy’s donor, Earnest Charles Griffith, who in 1910 presented a hand-beaten solid silver trophy for the Australasian Championship.
Boats can be of any design to contest the cup, as long as they are inboard and powered by a single automotive engine.
The event is generally the domain of the Grand Prix Hydroplanes, the world’s fastest circuit race boats which roar across the water at surface speeds in excess of 280kms per hour.
Lake Mulwala has a long proud history with power boat racing and in 2010 hosted the World Grand Prix Hydroplane Championships.
8°C