Grant Harrison in his GP1 Hydroplane won his 10th EC Griffith Cup in a fierce Trans-Tasman battle on the weekend at the Yarrawonga Powerboat Spectacular.
Loud roars of boat engines and the occasional revving from the motocross were heard from Lake Mulwala last weekend for the three-day Yarrawonga Boat Racing Spectacular.
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The event was again blessed with perfect autumn weather, attracting around 10,000 people from all over the region to the Yarrawonga foreshore to watch the speedboat racing and the freestyle motocross (FMX) stunt show, while also enjoying the atmosphere and hospitality on offer.
The new freestyle motocross was a fantastic addition to the event, complementing the boat races and regularly performing aerial stunts on the foreshore to the excitement of the crowd.
The freestyle motocross (FMX) stunt show was popular on the Yarrawonga Foreshore between boat races.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The marquee boat race, the EC Griffith Cup, didn’t disappoint, as fans witnessed a trans-Tasman showdown. The big hydroplanes battled it out, with local driver Grant Harrison, in his hydroplane GP1, winning his 10th, record-equalling EC Griffith Cup title on Saturday with a lucky new prop that didn’t arrive in time for last year’s event.
“It was good to get the ‘mozz’ off my back after bad luck over the last few years,” Harrison said.
New Zealand’s Ken Lupton in his high-powered Lucas Oils GP-577 won the Les Spears Memorial ANZAC Day Trophy.
New Zealand’s Ken Lupton, in his high-powered Lucas Oils GP-577, may not have won the big race but gained some revenge by winning the Les Spears Memorial Anzac Day Trophy over Grant Harrison.
Other featured boat racing events throughout the three-day program were the National Drivers Championship Round 1, Trojan Trophy Round 3, Formula GP Round 3, Hyper 5 Hydroplanes, Oz Lite Australian Championship Round, and the 105 Australian Championship.
Victorian Speed Boat Club event director Stephen Scott said the weekend event was again the best of its kind held in Australia.
The National Drivers Championship was hotly contested with crowd favourite Turn it Up finishing second in A-Main Final.
“Overall, it was a great weekend - the racing was great, the water was great, and the weather was good.
“Each year we aim to make the event bigger and better.
“All races were hotly contested, with some standout performances,” Mr Scott said.
Around 10,000 spectators lined the foreshore over the three-day event.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Yarrawonga Mulwala Business and Tourism Executive Nathan Bibby said it was another successful event and attracted around 10,000 people over the three days.
He said there were many accommodation outlets booked out, and there was a lot of positive feedback from visitors and competitors.
“Despite the current economic climate, the event had great family vibes, and each year we are building momentum with this event,” Mr Bibby said.
“Our pre-event ticket sales surged this year, and we changed up a few things with our ticket offerings.”
Mr Bibby also praised volunteers and Moira Shire Council ground staff for a well-run event, and thanked residents who were directly affected for allowing the various road closures.
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