A big turnout, close clock starts, and a breakthrough win for Toni Lowe set the tone for the new three round Hydroplane Invitational Series.
A series built for close hydroplane racing
The Hydroplane Invitational Series has been created to put small inboard hydros back into the spotlight. Run by the H2000 “Collective”, the new championship focuses on naturally aspirated four cylinder hydroplanes up to 2.4 litres. The aim is simple: gather a healthy fleet of similar sized boats, provide consistent racing, and build class numbers for the future.
Three rounds make up the inaugural series, which began with December’s event at Mangakino and will now move on to Karapiro then Arapuni in early 2026.
Round One: a strong fleet and an early shake up
Mangakino turned on ideal conditions for the opening round, and the response from teams showed strong support for the concept. Breaking Point, Mista Dolla, New Obsession, Miss Behaving, Tempo 2 and Triple Threat arrived ready for four lap racing on the standard oval course. A reshuffle in the regatta schedule also allowed Iron Maiden to join the field, bringing extra pace and experience.
The day started brightly but mechanical issues struck early. Triple Threat suffered a big end failure in the opening heat, while Tempo 2 lost a shaft and was forced to withdraw. Both crews are already working to get back on the water for Karapiro and remain committed to the series.
Clock starts, tight racing, and a standout performance
With clock starts in use, timing became a decisive skill. Some teams nailed their approach, while others showed they will benefit from more practice. Across the fleet the pace was close, the racing was clean, and several decks shared spray as boats ran side by side through the turns.
Iron Maiden, the lone F3 entry, showed that class boundaries offer little advantage when boats are well set up and well driven. The boat ran strongly all day and would have finished third overall had the team formally joined the series before racing.
One of the day’s best moments came from Miss Behaving’s driver, Toni Lowe. She delivered a composed drive to earn her first legitimate race win. For a time she held the series lead, only losing top spot when Breaking Point edged ahead in the final heat.
Series standings after Round One
Despite the retirements, the racing confirmed the value of the new format. The boats are closely matched, the field looks capable of growing, and the competition is shaping up to be both entertaining and reliable.
The points table after Mangakino reads:
1 Breaking Point – 83
2 Miss Behaving – 79
3 New Obsession – 63
4 Mista Dolla – 1
5 Tempo 2 – 0
6 Triple Threat – 0
With several boats returning for Round Two and Tony Christiansen expected to launch a full rebuild, Karapiro is shaping up to be even better.
