Hundreds of spectators thrilled to up to 120km/h battles on the water during the North Island Model Powerboat Championships at Henley Lake at Masterton over the weekend.
Wairarapa Model Powerboat Club spokesman Wayne Mowbray said 24 entrants, including competitors from the South Island and Australia, raced over the two-day meetand hundreds of spectators filed through the northeastern gates at Henley Lake to view the race circuit.
Mr Mowbray, who also is New Zealand association president, said the racing craft were divided into three engine types including electric, petrol and glow-plug, and were further distinguished by sub-classes based on hull configuration and engine size.
The 3electric boats were the largest boasting engines up to 29.5cc in size and the smallest at 3.5cc were the glow-plug models, he said, which run on a nitro methanol mix which dragsters also used as racing fuel.
Strong winds at the weekend kept boats from reaching their top speeds, he said, although some racers clocked about 120km/h.
Mr Mowbray said the Wairarapa club was founded in 1973 before going into hiatus for a time but now had a healthy membership.
There were club races every second Sunday of the month at Henley Lake, he said, and new members were welcome. For more information call Mr Mowbray at 3701670 or go online to www.nzmpba.co.nz.
