The 2025 Grand Prix Challenge roared into life at Guntersville Lake HydroFest in Alabama last weekend, and while foul weather put a dampener on proceedings, Kiwi hydroplane veteran Ken Lupton made sure his presence was felt, notching up a Heat Race win and finishing first overall on combined points.
Representing New Zealand with his GP-577 Lucas Oil boat, Lupton arrived at Guntersville as the reigning HRL Grand Prix Champion and wasted no time showing why. From the outset, his team had the boat dialled in. Friday’s qualifying saw him set the fastest lap in the GP class, laying the groundwork for what would become the highlight of an otherwise chaotic weekend.
His brother, Jack Lupton, was also at the event with his GP-33 JLM entry. The siblings had both travelled from Brockville, Ontario, where their boats had been undergoing significant off-season upgrades and repairs. Jack entered the weekend full of optimism, publicly thanking his support crew, sponsors, and the Henderson Hydroplane team for getting them prepared ahead of schedule.
Unfortunately, things unravelled quickly for Jack. An engine failure during time trials halted his campaign before it properly began. In a Facebook post, Jack expressed disappointment, noting that despite perfect oil pressure and a safe fuel system, the engine failure was catastrophic. “Oil filter had piston all through it,” he wrote. “No bearing material or anything to give signals of reason of failure.” A later attempt to get back on the water was foiled by a loose fuel line. Fortunately, the boat sustained no damage, and he expressed heartfelt thanks to engine builder Grant Rivers, a loyal family associate of 35 years who made the journey from New Zealand.
Ken, meanwhile, capitalised on the momentum from Friday’s strong qualifying run and delivered a commanding win in Heat 1 on Saturday, pushing ahead of a strong field of competitors. However, Saturday afternoon brought high winds and heavy rain, leading to a complete halt in racing activities. Sunday proved no better, with 70mph gusts and continued unsafe water conditions forcing the event organisers to cancel all remaining sessions.
Despite the limited racing, Ken Lupton was declared event winner based on combined results from time trials and the sole completed heat. He was followed by Jeff Bernard in second and Brandon Kennedy—last year’s GP Challenge champion—in third.
A standout performance across the weekend came from Grant Rivers, who was recognised as Rottler Machining Engine Builder of the Week for his efforts in preparing Ken’s powerplant. Though Grant also oversaw Jack’s troubled engine, his tuning for Ken’s boat was undeniably effective and instrumental in securing the win.
The Guntersville event also featured H1 Unlimited action, where Andrew Tate’s qualifying lap in the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate nearly set a new course record. However, the H1 portion of the programme was marred by a dramatic crash involving Dave Villwock in the U-27 Miss Apollo, who barrel-rolled at high speed during Saturday’s Heat 1A. Villwock was unharmed, but the crash prompted further delays, contributing to a weekend largely dictated by the weather rather than the racing.
Still, amid the cancellations and stormy setbacks, Ken Lupton’s composed performance gave Kiwi fans something to cheer about. It was a reminder of his consistent form in North American hydroplane competition, particularly at Guntersville, where the Lupton name has become increasingly familiar.
As the GP Challenge series now shifts focus to the 75th Madison Regatta in Indiana (July 4–6), followed by Régates de Valleyfield in Quebec (July 13–15), Lupton carries early momentum and a points lead. The question now is whether the New Zealand driver can maintain that edge across the next two events to claim the GP Challenge Trophy.
With strong support from his team, proven speed, and the reliability of the Lucas Oil GP-577 package, the odds are in his favour.
Photo credit: Jody Moore / Guntersville Lake Hydrofest, USA
