PRESS RELEASE: Nov 10th 2011
It is with great pleasure that Acceleration on Water Ltd would like to announce the confirmed entry of the American Grand Prix Hydroplane Race team “ Johnson – Wolfe Racing GP93 Renegade “ for the 2012 UIM Grand Prix Hydroplane Championship at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge New Zealand, February 3-4-5th. Johnson-Wolfe Racing will line up against fellow American J Mike Kelly who will drive Peter Knight Snrs ‘The Boss’. Both teams will be in New Zealand in time to race at pre World event at Lake Taupo, January 28-29th, giving both teams time to test the New Zealand waters before the UIM GP Worlds at Lake Karapiro the following weekend.
Acceleration on Water and NZ Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club would like to welcome on board Peters & May the recently appointed UIM approved Marine Transport Provider who will ship the team from Long Beach to Auckland New Zealand.
New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers are excited at the opportunity to race against two well known and excellent racers from the USA, in the words of Waverley Annihilator hydroplane kingpin Warwick Lupton, “the boys have got pretty hyped-up about these Americans coming, and they’ve gone way over the top”.
The “boys” are, of course, usual Annihilator teammates David Alexander and Ken Lupton – and Chris Picard will also be in there this season with a revved-up Annihilator 1.
Lupton himself, of course, will be defending his World UIM GP Hydroplane title in the Annihilator Race Boat against the American visitors, and still to be confirmed Australian entries and his own Waverley teammates, and current EC Griffith Cup holder Otorohanga’s Scott Coker ‘Fair Warning’.
Johnson – Wolfe Racing team Manager Elizabeth Wolfe writes on behalf of the team
“Since winning the Canadian and American championships in 2009, the team has had some significant obstacles. Two major accidents in 2010, with significant damage to both the boat and the driver, as well as a devastating illness in 2011 have made the last two seasons a big challenge for the team. But, after refreshing, rebuilding, and getting everything in shape (including Marty, the driver) we are back in action and ready to compete at the World’s in New Zealand. Crew Chief, Randy Wolfe, believes that the team is in a good position to win the championship.
The crew making up the trip to New Zealand includes: Marty Wolfe Driver and Engine Builder, Randy Wolfe Crew Chief, Elizabeth Wolfe Team Manager, Pat and Paul Palm Crew, and Jeff and Dennis Johnson owners of Trafficade and the boat.
The team is currently thrashing to get a winter’s worth of work done in 30 days in order to get the boat from Chicago to the west coast to get on a freighter for the long slow trip over. Not only are they rebuilding two engines, and getting all the general maintenance done, they are also retrofitting the trailer to fit all the spare parts and tools that typically live in the tow vehicle.
Johnson Wolfe racing with GP93 Renegade is incredibly excited for the opportunity to run against the competition on the other side of the world. We look forward to some great racing, and plan to show the Australian and New Zealand teams how the Americans get things done! ”
It’s a big year for the relatively small hydroplane community.
Defending world champion Warwick Lupton will be looking to keep his title at the UIM World GP Hydroplane Championships at Lake Karapiro on February 3-4-5, and then have a crack at taking the 100th running of the EC Griffith Cup against the best Australia can offer, also at Lake Karapiro on March 3-4.
Watch for further announcements and event up dates on www.accelerationonwater.co.nz www.hydroplane.co.nz www.wolfengines.com/racing www.petersandmay.com
