New Zealand’s Ken Lupton brings his high-powered Lucas Oils GP-577 across the Tasman for a shot at the EC Griffith Cup this weekend.
Grant Harrison is gearing up for a fierce Trans-Tasman battle this weekend at the Yarrawonga Powerboat Spectacular as he chases an elusive 10th EC Griffith Cup, taking on a stacked field that includes a powerful New Zealand challenge.
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At 54, Harrison aims to conquer the podium after recent setbacks, facing a formidable lineup of hydroplanes the prestigious event has seen in years, which this time includes former New Zealand EC Griffith Cup winner Ken Lupton.
Harrison’s GP1 Hydroplane suffered an engine breakdown in 2022, a fuel line blew off in 2023, and a broken propeller blade caused vibration and boat damage in 2024.
Another propeller issue struck in 2025, but he hopes that with a new propeller, which did not arrive in time for last year’s cup, will finally help him break the hoodoo.
“It’s a strong field, it will be intense racing again and not going to be easy,” Harrison said.
It will be a fierce Trans-Tasman battle this weekend at the Yarrawonga Powerboat Spectacular.
To secure his 10th title, he must overcome world-class opposition, including NZ entry Ken Lupton’s Lucas Oils GP-577, and other early entry contenders such as GP101, Krusader and crowd favourite Aussie Connection, along with a number of displacement boats also expected in the mix.
It’s the first time in nearly a decade that New Zealand will be represented in the EC Griffith Cup, which remains the highlight event, drawing huge crowds.
“It will be the best of the best in Australasia, it should be one hell of a race if we can all get into the final without problems,” Harrison said.
The Lupton’s have been competing in Canada and the USA in recent years, where they have taken out championships on both the eastern and western sides of the countries.
“They are the most professional group in racing and are the reigning American Hydroplane Champions,” Harrison said.
“If they take out the EC Griffith Cup, they then earn the right to race the cup in their country, but we will do everything to make sure the Cup stays here in the Mulwala Water Ski Club trophy cabinet.”
Harrison boasts a clean winning record against the New Zealanders, twice winning the World Championship on their home turf.
“They have also been over here in the past and never beaten me. The New Zealanders are very vocal and will do everything to take the Cup back to NZ.
“They will have learnt a heap by racing over in America, it would be cool if we can beat them again here.”
Grant Harrison and his father Keith at the EC Griffith Cup, held in New Zealand, in 2012.
Lupton arrived in Melbourne last week with his state-of-the-art hydroplane, a 2000-horsepower, carbon-fibre machine capable of speeds beyond 270km/h and widely regarded as one of the fastest boats in modern hydroplane racing.
The members of team took the boat to Lake Eppalock on Monday for a test and tune, and the full team will arrive in Yarrawonga mid-week.
Ken Lupton said in a recent interview that he was looking forward to returning to Yarrawonga in the new-generation hydroplane that is lighter, stronger, and more aerodynamic than older boats.
“We’ve been there a few times before and raced a long time ago with older boats, but now our boats are a little bit more elite,” Lupton said.
“The technology is a lot better now than what it used to be when we first raced in the EC Griffith Cup about 10 years ago.”
Harrison acknowledges that his resolute team must summon both skill and fortune to break what he calls the “tenth cup curse”.
But if he claims that elusive title on Lake Mulwala, it will be in honour of his late father, Keith, who passed away in 2023.
Keith Harrison won one EC Griffith Cup as a driver (1986) and nine more as team manager with his son at the controls, the first of which came in 2003.
Harrison has since taken the reins as team owner and is confident the red, white and blue GP1 hydroplane—which has delivered him so much success, will be ready this weekend.
“We are going to get up there this year in the best shape we possibly can,” Harrison said.
Harrison is a part-local, having holidayed in Yarrawonga annually for the past 40 years.
If victorious this weekend, he will equal Rob Saniga’s record of 10 cups, won during a dominant era throughout the 1970s and 1980s in hydroplane boats Stampede and Miss Bud.
The EC Griffith Cup is the blue-ribbon event in Australian powerboat racing, part of the ‘big four’ alongside the Taree King of the River, the Glenmaggie Gold Cup and the Lake Eppalock Gold Cup.
Boats can be of any design to contest the cup, as long as they are inboard and powered by a single automotive engine.
They can reach speeds of up to 270km/h, and GP1 lowered into the water by a crane and requiring an oxygen mask to drive, can complete a lap of the 1.8km Lake Mulwala circuit in just 37 seconds.
New Zealand’s Ken Lupton brings his high-powered Lucas Oils GP-577 across the Tasman for a shot at the EC Griffith Cup this weekend.
The cup will be held over Friday and Saturday, with heats to be whittled down to a final six or seven, and is one of a series of race formats across the three days.
Driver entries strong, fuel no problem
Driver entries are again strong this year, with 75 competitors signed on across eight different racing classes, including the National Drivers Championship.
Event organiser Stephen Scott, of the Victorian Speed Boat Club, told the Chronicle last week that the current fuel situation due to the war in the Middle East is no concern, with entry levels remaining strong and drivers eager to put on a show.
“We pre-purchase our fuel needs for competitors in January each year, and this year it was well before the current Middle East conflict began, the event is 100 per cent going ahead,” Mr Scott said.
“We have a good number of boats entered across eight different classes, from juniors right through to unlimited boats.
“And the build-up to the EC Griffith Cup is great, with our biggest field of hydroplanes entered for many years.”
The boating spectacular features the first round of the X100 National Drivers Championship, with reigning champion Mike Godsell facing no shortage of competition.
Mr Scott said the New Zealand entry for the EC Griffith Cup, Ken Lupton’s Lucas Oils GP-577, is ready to put on a show, with hopes of taking the cup back to NZ.
“It’s a big build-up for the EC Griffith Cup, with the New Zealander taking on the Aussies in the hydroplanes,” he said.
Other highlights include the Anzac Day Trophy, with the final to be held on Sunday, and the addition of Formula GP and Formula 4, both tunnel boats with outboard engines, with the latter featuring up-and-coming drivers all under the age of 20.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business executive officer Nathan Bibby is excited about this year’s event, which will also feature a world-class freestyle motocross (FMX) stunt show on the water’s edge, starring elite Australian riders Jackson “Jacko” Strong, Ben Richards and Tom Richards.
“It is going to be an amazing spectacle, complementing all the thrilling action on the water,” Mr Bibby said.
Off the water, visitors can enjoy live music, carnival rides, sideshow alley attractions, static powerboat displays, food vendors, merchandise stalls and a licensed bar.
A dedicated VIP area will offer premium viewing close to the finish line, placing spectators at the centre of the high-energy action.
For the first time, “A Night of Champions” will be held at ClubMulwala on Saturday evening (April 18), bringing Ken Lupton, Ricky Howard and Tate Ramsey together for an exclusive event, sharing stories, insights and behind-the-scenes moments from the world of powerboat racing.
Gates open at 10am this Friday, April 17 and 8am on Saturday and Sunday April 18 and 19. Friday tickets start at $20 for adults and $15 for concession, while weekend tickets start at $25. Entry is free for children under 16.
For tickets or more information, visit www.yarrawongaboatracing.com.au or contact the Yarrawonga Mulwala Visitor Information Centre on (03) 5744 1989.
