A clear, fast weekend on Lake Maraetai as Round Two delivers decisive results across two full days of racing.
A straightforward start at Mangakino
Round Two of the Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder Series returned to Lake Maraetai following Round One at the same venue. Teams arrived with clear targets, refining setups through Friday testing.
Ken Lupton spent the practice day working through engine combinations:
“We tried a few things and learnt what not to chase. Everything stayed in one piece, which was good.”
Saturday opened with testing and hot laps. Jack Lupton recorded the fastest time with a 31.57, ahead of David Alexander at 31.85, Ken Lupton at 32.32, and Scott Coker at 34.50.
Saturday: heats and early penalties
Heat One of Lucas Oil Hydro Thunder R2 went to Jack Lupton, followed by Ken, Alexander, and Coker. The second heat produced the same winner, although penalties changed the finishing order. Ken Lupton received a penalty for buoy contact and David Alexander was penalised for jumping the start, allowing Steve Preece to take second and Scott Coker third.
Jack Lupton claims Mangakino victory as Hydro Thunder season roars to life
Across the support classes, the Hydroplane Invitational Series continued to build momentum.
As Steve Trott explained,
“So basically it’s come about from a collective of smaller hydroplane drivers… what we endeavoured to create was a field of very similar sized boats, very similar powered boats. We’re going to clock starts so we just want to try and level everything up as much as we can to provide the most entertaining racing we can.”
Day One closed with Jack unbeaten in hot laps and both heats.
Sunday: tighter water and decisive runs
Sunday began with another round of heats. Jack won Heat Three, with Ken second and Scott Coker third. Several boats encountered issues. Steve Preece lost a prop while running in a strong position, and David Alexander reported a front wing problem.
Jack spoke about the conditions in his post-race interview:
“It looks flat before you go out, but once four or five boats are circulating it roughens up. You’ve got to get the boat up out of that rough stuff.”
He also noted the heat inside the cockpit and the balance required in challenging water.
The Grand Final followed later in the afternoon. Results were confirmed as:
1st, Jack Lupton
2nd, Ken Lupton
3rd, David Alexander
This result completed a full weekend sweep for Jack: fastest hot lap, three heat wins, and the final.
Drivers and teams across the paddock
Several teams provided updates during the weekend.
Andrea Robinson reported a productive Saturday, despite electrical issues in the final race of the day. Her crew resolved the fault overnight, and she returned to race on Sunday.
Other support classes ran throughout the two day Lakeland Powerboat Club schedule, contributing to a full programme on Lake Maraetai.
Round Two in the wider season
With Jack’s wins at Mangakino, he extends his lead following a strong Round One that placed him on 121 points. Coker and Ken entered R2 closely matched on 90 and 88 points respectively, and both added solid results through the weekend.
The field now looks toward Round Three at Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel. Several teams, including South Island boats mentioned in Jack’s interview, expect to join the series there.
