Ken Lupton gave New Zealand powerboat fans plenty to cheer about over ANZAC Day weekend, taking out the prestigious ANZAC Trophy at the Yarrawonga Power Boat Spectacular on Lake Mulwala, Murray River, on Saturday 25 April.
Running under the Ken Lupton-Racing banner with backing from Lucas Oil, Lupton piloted his GP-577 hydroplane to victory in one of the most keenly anticipated events on the Australian powerboat calendar. The ANZAC Trophy carries a significance that stretches far beyond the race itself, standing as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand armed forces.
The Victorian Speed Boat Club's annual regatta at Lake Mulwala revolves around the E.C. Griffith Cup, recognised as the world's longest-running perpetual powerboat trophy. That honour stayed on Australian soil this year, with Grant Harrison steering Melton Toyota GP1 to victory in the Griffith Cup final. It was a record-breaking tenth win in the event for Harrison, who also holds the title of reigning Lucas Oil Australia Hydroplane National Drivers champion. His performance turned back the trans-Tasman challenge convincingly, and the crowd at Yarrawonga was treated to a final that delivered exactly what they had come to see.
For Lupton, securing the ANZAC Trophy marks a strong result in a class that asks everything of its competitors. Grand Prix hydroplane racing is unforgiving. These three-point craft, which plane across the water on two sponsons and the hull, are among the fastest hydroplanes competing anywhere across Australia and New Zealand.
The weekend offered more than racing alone. On Saturday evening, Club Mulwala hosted an exclusive Q&A session featuring Lupton alongside Ricky Howard and Tate Ramsey, giving the audience candid stories and a rare look behind the scenes of careers built around extreme speed on water.
It was a proud weekend for New Zealand powerboat racing, and a well-earned result for Ken Lupton and everyone involved with the Ken Lupton-Racing team.
