Harrison, 53, will be praying for better luck on his quest to stand on top of the podium after some bad luck over the last few years in the prestigious event that has attracted the best field of hydroplanes in many years.
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 last year’s final.
“It’s a strong field, it will be intense racing and not going to be easy,” Harrison said.
To record his 10th title, he must overcome world-class opposition, including last year’s winner Ricky Howard in White Noise, previous winners Warlord, GP101, Crusader and crowd favourite Aussie Connection.
“They’re 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 admits he and his determined team will have to draw on a bit of luck and be at their best to overcome what he has described as a tenth cup hoodoo.
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 was in 2003.
“For thirty-odd years I raced with my father as team manager or owner, so to win it as a tribute to him would be awesome,” Harrison said.
Harrison has taken the reins as team owner, and is confident the red, white and blue GP1 hydroplane, which has delivered him so much success, including two world championship titles, will be ready this weekend.
“We are going to get up there this year in the best shape we possibly can,” Harrison said.
“We’re again bringing two complete engines up, so we’ve got spares, but have won a cup before with just one.”
Harrison is a part-local after holidaying in Yarrawonga annually for the past 40 years.
If he is victorious this weekend, he will equal Rob Saniga’s record of 10 cups, which he 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 280kmh and GP1, which is lowered into the water by a crane, and which requires an oxygen mask to drive, can complete a lap of the 1.8km Lake Mulwala circuit in 37 seconds.
The cup will be held over Friday and Saturday, with the heats to be whittled down to a final six or seven and is one of a series of race formats over the three days.
Driver entries strong
Driver entries are again strong this year, with 75 drivers signed on to compete in eight different classes of races, including the National Drivers Championship.
The four-round championship – which features forced induction boats, with supercharged or turbocharged engines, is being covered by the Seven Network’s 7Mate with the broadcaster to be filming across the three days.
Other highlights of the program include the Anzac Day Trophy, with the final to be held on Sunday, and the addition of the Formula GP and Formula 4, both tunnel boats with outboard engines, with the latter to feature some up and coming drivers all under the age of 20.
Event organiser Stephen Scott, of the Victorian Speed Boat Club, said the entry levels are again fantastic and drivers were looking forward to putting on a show.
”We have a good number of boats entered in eight different classes from the juniors right through to the unlimited boats,” Scott said.
“And for the build-up for the EC Griffith Cup is great with our biggest field of Hydroplanes entered for many years.”
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism and Business executive officer Nathan Bibby is hoping the nice weather holds out.
“It’s going to be a great event, crowd numbers have been up each of the last three years, and we’re hoping that continues,” he said.
Mr Bibby said the event has again attracted a number of stalls and amusement rides for the Yarrawonga Fair, while pilot Matt Hall of Red Bull Racing will be conducting his aerobatic shows on the Saturday and Sunday around 11am and 3pm.
Tickets and gate times
Friday, April 25: Adults 10, Under 16 free. Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27. Adults $25. Under 16 free. A three-day pass can be purchased for $45.
Open Friday 12noon for presale tickets, 1pm for on-the-day ticket sales. Saturday and Sunday 8.30am and the racing starts at 9am.
For tickets and event information go to www.yarrawongaboatracing.com.au
