Brett Niddrie is the new UIM World GP Hydroplane World Champion

5:07 AM Mon 9 Feb 2009 GMT

''Warlord', engine builder Niddrie in total control at the wheel, charges for home (and the world title) on Lake Karapiro - Hydroplane Championship' Phillip Hoskyn Click Here to view large photo

Melbourne-based engine builder Brett Niddrie is the new Masport UIM World GP Hydroplane champion!

At the wheel of the New Zealand-built 'Warlord', owned by hydroplane stalwart Ron Burton, Niddrie claimed the title on New Zealand's Lake Karapiro, keeping a promise he made to re-build an engine and repair a gearbox 'capable of taking maximum points.'

With only 400 points to his credit after the opening round at Tauranga, Niddrie certainly needed maximum points and he achieved his goal, finishing with 1600 points, comfortable clear of second-placed David Alexander ('Annihilator 2') with 1294.

American import, J.Michael Kelly, driving the legendary Peter Knight Snr boat 'The Boss' notched a well-deserved third (877) points.

Then came Scott Coker ('Fair Warning') 729 points, Warwick Lupton ('Annihilator') 648, Ken Lupton ('Annihilator 3') 625 and Graeme Weller ('G-Force') 395.

The Lupton family, Warwick, son Ken and cousin David Alexander were hoping for a better outcome after Warwick's recent triumph in taking the prestigious E.C. Griffith Cup away from Niddrie last year.

He is no doubt rueing that his new boat was not finished in time to contest the series.

The look of a winer, a very content Brett Niddrie after claiming the UIM Masport Grand Prix Hydroplane world crown. - Phillip Hoskyn

Brett Niddrie and his team certainly showed they possessed the power and the reliability to see off numerous challenges through the series.

Not surprisingly, Niddrie, proprietor of Melbourne's BNR (for Brett Niddrie Racing) Engines had the big 510 cubic inch supercharged power plant running sweetly.

Alexander tried every trick in the book to run Niddrie down, but the older 'Annihilator 2' just did not have the 'legs' in the final run to the chequered flag.

It was good see the American, Kelly, make something of a 'comeback' after a disappointing opening round.

There's no disputing his talent; although new to Grand Prix hydroplanes he had no trouble adapting to their style.

Kelly is the driver of record of the Unlimited Hydroplane 'Spirit of Detroit' and during his racing career he has set 19 world records, six of which he still holds.

For Ken Lupton (son of Warwick) the weekend is best forgotten.

If it could go wrong for Ken, it went wrong for Ken!

He failed to add to his first round points thanks to broken drives, broken engines and anything else that could possibly break.

Graeme Weller (G-Force), also struck trouble, losing his propeller shaft in one heat.

Although he finished last on the championship points table, he was still able to show plenty of 'ticker' and win the A.E.Baker Australasian Hydroplane title.

For further details visit the website, www.hydroplane.com

That's tough racing - left to right 'Annihilator 3' (Ken Lupton), Annihilator 2 (David Alexander), 'The Boss' (J.Michael Kelly) and 'Warlord' (Brett Niddrie. - GP hydroplanes - Phillip Hoskyn Click Here to view large photo

Warwick Lupton, no doubt wishing that new boat had been ready in time...the veteran racer and Griffith Cup winner described his fifth place as 'disappointing.' - GP hydroplanes - Phillip Hoskyn

by Bob Wonders

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