Matt Gaudin claimed the River City 3000 title during the Wanganui Motorboat Club's annual regatta at the weekend.
Matt Gaudin claimed the River City 3000 title during the Wanganui Motorboat Club's annual regatta at the weekend.
You can't miss them on the Whanganui River and the roar of the Wanganui Motorboat Club's annual regatta ushered in two new North Island champions and the opportunity for local drivers to pick up their own prestigious silverware at the weekend.
Around 29-30 boats from juniors, Formula 1 Tunnels, Skiboats and V8 Flat Bottom craft took part in the two days of racing, a slightly smaller number than other years.
Club commodore Jason Buttimore said a few drivers had to miss the event after experiencing breakages at the Manawatu Power Boat regatta the previous weekend near Foxton.
Other drivers skipped last weekend to take part in the river race but Auckland's Sam Hughes was more than happy to double dip as he backed up his class win in Manawatu with the King of the River trophy in the finale on Sunday afternoon.
The King title is decided between all the class winners over the weekend and is usually dominated by either the V8's or F1 boats.
Hughes could not be caught in Red Express - the F1 craft he inherited from his father in 2005 and is now "humming along" after continued updates and tinkering.
"One hundred percent [worth the trip]. They always put on a good show here," Hughes said.
"With the river racing, the spectators can watch more."
"Meetings like this make it - the social atmosphere in the clubrooms after."
Saturday saw two North Island championships decided for the Clubmans and Prostock classes.
In a strong field of 11 boats, Auckland's Alex McBeth, 18, emerged as the winner.
The Prostock class was taken out by Wayne 'Chuck' Norris from the Manawatu club.
Buttimore said they had a short 30 minute delay on Saturday to clear a couple of logs that had floated down the river, but other than that, conditions were perfect for racing on both days, which was of great relief after the wet weather which preceded the regatta.