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News Welcome
To The Little Cracker Hydroplane Racing Website, Catch up on the latest
News for the Little Cracker Race Team Here. 20th
March 2006 - News
Check out this web site to see the pictures of the great 1984 Staudacher 2.5 Mod Hydro "A600 Bud" being restored by new owner/driver Scott Wrzesinki. www.marineserviceunlimited.com/album21 19th
March 2006 - Auckland Regatta
 The Little Cracker Team had a varied day during there scheduled 3 races. Race one and the Boat developed an electrical Fault and Alan returned to shore and the Team began to pull apart the electrical system to find the Fault. It didn't seem to be anything other than a loose wire. The Team put the Boat in the water for Race two expecting things to go better but the Boat refused to Fire at all and drifted slowly away from the dock. After the Boat was returned it was quickly discovered that the Kill Switch wire had fallen Off, something so simple can stop the Boat. Race 3 and it was third time lucky has the Boat fired up and went off to a good race with Malcolm Wotton "Renegade" and Daniel Pollack "Undertaker". Alan leapt away at the Start and Malcolm was in Catch up mode in his bigger GNH Boat, Daniel was having a rougher time of it in the smaller Boat and settled in for Third. Lap 2 and Malcolm finally caught up with Alan and the two battled it out for the rest of the race with Malcolm sneaking home the Winner. Today's Racing looks like the weather will play its part and hopefully some of the Boats that Broke yesterday will be going again today.
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March 2006 - Jimmy Shane
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February 2006 - South Island Tour
 The Little Cracker Team had a disappointing trip to Lake Rotoiti with a small Electric Wire causing the engine to miss on the turns once that fault was discovered the boat went great for the last race of Saturday but there was still something amiss with the electrics on Sunday and the Little Cracker struggled to be as competitive as it can with the bigger Grand National Hydroplanes. Off the Water the team enjoyed themselves in the party atmosphere of the Lakes District. This was to Be Little Crackers Last Race meeting but with a Sale deal falling through during the week the Team will run the boat at the Manukau/Auckland Regatta in March.
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February 2006 - South Island Tour 20th
February 2006 - South Island Tour 19th
February 2006 - New Zealand Champion Again 15th
February 2006 - Relatives Visit At Karapiro 15th
February 2006 - South Island Tour 6th
February 2006 - UIM World Championship 1st
February 2006 - Marsh Motorsports Trophy 29th
January 2006 - Downtown Wanganui 22nd
January 2006 - Summer Wine is Back
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January 2006 - UIM WC Entry List
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January 2006 - Story on Dustin Echols SEATTLE – NFL players and coaches prepare for the playoffs watching countless hours of videotape of their upcoming opponents, looking for the small edge in defeating them. This investment of time is all in the hopes of getting to the Super Bowl. Duvall’s Dustin Echols is
no different as he prepares to compete in the Super Bowl for the 2.5-Litre
Modified hydroplane racing – the World Championships at Lake Karapiro,
Cambridge, New Zealand, Feb. 3-5. Echols is the current world record holder
in the class at 137.2 mph and is the defending 2.5-Litre Modified world
champion driving the Miss
Silver Cloud Inns hydroplane. 15th January 2006 - Dustin Echols Racer of the Week
10th January 2006 - JJW Hydroplane Racing "A20 Silver Cloud Hotels" in New Zealand  Young Champion Surfer try's the cockpit of World Champion 2.5 Modified Hydroplane "A20 Silver Cloud Hotels" 15,000 holiday makers and Iron Man supporters were in Mt Maunganui on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th to catch a preview of the "A20 Silver Cloud Hotels" World Champion 2.5 Modified Hydroplane from Seattle, Washington USA. New Zealand drivers Terry Mathieson, Janine White and Alan Lewis were at the display to hand out flyers and to talk about the U.I.M World Hydroplane Championship coming up on February 4th 5th at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge. The JJW Hydroplane Race Team along with World Champion Driver Dustin Echols will arrive in Auckland on Tuesday January 31st to prepare for the race
2nd January 2006 - Lake Maraetai, Mangakino  The Little Cracker Team Went to Mangakino for the Geyserland Regatta to test the boat in preparation for the UIM 2006 2.5 Modified hydroplane World Championships which are run in New Zealand on the 4th & 5th of February. A good turn out of 9 Modified Hydroplanes meant some good racing was on the cards although for most concerned The Day was all about testing and preparation for the upcoming World Championships. The Little Cracker team had spent the previous day installing the freshened Alfa Romeo Engine and arrived in Mangakino late at night but in good Spirits to celebrate New Years Eve. The Boats Rudder had been lengthened which meant the boat would need some fine tuning in the setup and as result after warm ups in the first two races Alan decided not to start and returned to shore to work more on the Boat. The last race of the Day for the Modified Hydroplanes turned out to be a Cracker of a race with a tight battle for the top 3 between "Helter Skelter" Nigel Zander, "Predator" Janine White & "Little Cracker" Alan Lewis. A Little further back in the field another close struggle was evolving with Tony Hall "Tempest", Steve Mathieson "Midnight" & Brody/Terry Mathieson "Meridian" At some point in the late stages of the race the Little Cracker developed a Crack in its skin at the right rear of the boat. Water pressure got in and tore of the skin along the side and then blew off a part of the top Skin. The damage is superficial and with a bit of hard work by the Master Builder Graham Zander the Boat will be repaired in no Time.
14th December 2005 - Little Cracker Final Fling  Born December 1999 at Papatoetoe, Auckland, New Zealand, won 5 National Championships, including 2 Grand National New Zealand Championships, won 4 North Island Championships in both Modified Hydroplane and Grand National, set 2 Australasian Kilo Speed Records, set New Zealand Modified Hydroplane Kilo Speed Record at 126.99 mph (204.32 kph)and placed second in the 2005 AE Baker Cup. The 2006 race season will be the last time Little Cracker will race, she will be sold after the 2006 New Zealand Championship and will not carry the name "Little Cracker" with the new owner. The schedule for the final race season will be January 1st 2nd Mangakino, January 28th 29th Wanganui, February 4th 5th Lake Karapiro (World Championship) and the final race will be at Lake Kaniere in Hokitika (NZ Championship). The entire Little Cracker Team will be sad to see this awesome little red boat leave however I am sure we will see a new bright red Hydroplane sporting the name "Little Cracker" out on the water in the near future. 14th December 2005 - 2006 World Championships  Eaton Fluid Power New Zealand  Is proud to be associated with the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club in hosting the U.I.M World Grand Prix & U.I.M WORLD 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Championships At Lake Karapiro Cambridge New Zealand February 4th - 5th 2006 Also featuring the AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship EVENT DESCRIPTION The U.I.M.2006 World GP & World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Championships Organized by the New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club Inc (NZGPHDC). Race Program Saturday 4th February 7.30-9.00am Scrutineering/Technical Inspections 8.00am GP Drivers Meeting with Race Committee 2.5 Drivers Meeting with Race Committee 9.00am Drivers Briefing & Rescue Personnel Briefing 9.30am Water Open for testing 10.30am U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Testing 11.30am U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Testing 12.30pm Drivers Autograph Session 12.30pm Westview Aluminum Formula 3 Series 12.45pm Ssang Yong Grand National Hydroplane Invitational Series 1.00pm Fish City Formula One Tunnels 1.30pm EATON U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Testing 2.30pm Westview Aluminum Formula 3 Series 2.45pm Ssang Yong Grand National Hydroplane Invitational Series 3.00pm Fish City Formula One Tunnels 3.15pm U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Heat 1A 3.30pm U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Heat 1B 3.45pm Water Open for testing 5.00pm Water Closed Sunday 5th February 7.30-8.30am Scrutineering 8.30am Drivers & Rescue Personnel Briefing 9.00am Water Open for testing 10.30am Westview Aluminium Formula 3 Series 10.45am Fish City Formula One Series 11.00am SSangYong Grand National Hydroplane Invitational Series 11.15am EATON U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 1 11.30am U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Heat 2A 11.45am U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Heat 2B 12.00 Midday Thundercats 12.00 Midday Drivers Autograph Session 12.15pm Wake Boarding Demonstration 12.30pm Westview Aluminium Formula 3 Series 12.45pm Fish City Formula One Series 1.00pm EATON U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Heat 2 1.15pm SSangYong Grand National Hydroplane Invitational Series 1.30pm U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Consolation Final 1.45pm U.I.M World 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Final 2.00pm Thundercats 2.15pm Westview Aluminium Formula 3 Series 2.30pm SsangYong Grand National Hydroplane Invitational Series 2.45pm EATON U.I.M World Grand Prix Hydroplane Final 3.00pm Fish City Formula One Series 3.15pm Marsh Motorsport Modified Hydroplane Grand Prix 3.30pm Thundercats 3.45pm ELF FUELS AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship 4.00pm Wake Boarding Demonstration 4.30pm ELF FUELS AE Baker Australasian Hydroplane Championship The NZGP Hydroplane Drivers Club reserves the right to alter the program. The Little Cracker Site will feature News and information leading up to and including the UIM 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Championships 26th November 2005 - Anthony Knight  Little Cracker crew Anthony Knight got 6 laps in the passengers seat with BMW driver trainer and race driver Mike Eady at the wheel of his Honda Intergra race car. The race car ride gift was all arranged by Antz late sister Shea-Maree who tragically passed away back on August 24th 2005, Whitney, Jason, Alan, Anthony's family and friends all made the trip to the Pukekohi Race Track to see Antz reaction after racing around the track at 200kph. "It was a blast Bro" 11th November 2005 - American Racer to Compete in New Zealand  2005 Union of International Motorboating (UIM) World 2.5 Modified Inboard Hydroplane Champion
Justin and Dustin will arrive in Auckland New Zealand on Tuesday, January 31st to prepare the Silver Cloud Inns & Hotels "Ford Esslinger powered A20" for the short road trip South to Lake Karapiro where they will test on Friday February 3rd in preparation for two qualifying heats on Saturday and the final on Sunday. The Team will also compete in the Marsh Motorsport 10 km Grand Prix, the winner of this race receives the fabulous $30,000 five blade Swiss Rola Offshore Race Propeller. The week after the World Championship the JJW Hydroplane Racing Team will hopefully celebrate by relaxing with some Marlin Fishing, White Water Rafting and maybe even a Vertical Bungy Jump, before the 15 hour flight back to Seattle, Washington. Dustin's Racing Career Driver Profile Dustin started a career in Boat Racing at the age of ten, he started in the "A" stock hydro class and worked his way up through the ranks. The 2004 season was his first drive in a Inboard Hydroplane and he earned the privilege of driving Justin Weymouth's A-20 2.5 Modified Hydroplane. During Dustin's first year in the category, he competed in both the Eastern and Western Divisional's as well as the Summer Nationals in Hampton Virginia. With the help of the JJW Hydroplane Racing Team Echols finished second in the National High Points in his first full season of Inboard Racing, Dustin was also named Seattle Drag & Ski Club Rookie of the year. In 2005 Dustin once again dominated the 2.5 Modified Hydroplane Class with first at Western Divisional Championship, World Championship National High Points, 2nd at the Summer Nationals and most recently on Sunday October 16th at Devils Lake Oregon set a new UIM World Kilo Speed Record at 137.2 mph. John DeVos driving the A-36 "In Cahoots" back on September 30th 1989 at Devils Lake Oregon last set this record at a speed of 132 mph. Dustin is currently in the running to join the American Power Boat Association Hall of Champions which will be decided in January 2006 in Florida at the APBA National Meeting. Media Contact: Alan Lewis New Zealand Mobile: 0274-869730 Email : JJWTeam@jjwhydroplaneracing.com Website  4th November 2005 - Chuck Miller  I read on the Go-Boat Racing Website Chuck Miller is racer of the week, this is well deserved, Chuck is a true Racer and Gentleman, I am sure he will pull through this trauma he is in right now. I want to share with you some time I had with Chuck recently at Wildwood New Jersey. After racing was cancelled on Saturday due to rough water, Chuck called me over to the back of his truck where he had a cooler and some nice cold stiff Rum-n-Coke going, well I tasted one of these drinks and could not resist more refills, as we got more of this "Miller Medicine" in to us we chatted about boat racing back in the 70's 80's 90's and now. We had people stop by to see what all the laughter was about, Patrick Howarth of Valleyfield stopped for a drink, Mark Weber, Jeff Ayler, Dennis Macey, Stuart Shane, John Fitzgerald to name a few all stopped by the Miller truck to see why we were having so much fun, many a tall story were told that Saturday afternoon. "This is why boat racing is so much fun" 30th
September 2005 - Images from New Jersey
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September 2005 - New Jersey(updated 29/9/05) Jeff Ayler reports Added 29/9/05 Point Auto 2.5 Litre Modified 1st A-3 Sho Nuff III...Alan Lewis Auckland, New Zealand's Alan Lewis had a fine weekend with a win and a second. Chuck Miller failed to start the heat race but had a side by side battle with Lewis in the final heat for three laps. Miller pulled away on the final lap to win by five boat lengths.
Dave Bosacco Ms. America Racing Grand National Hydroplanes 1st GNH-445 The Menace...Dennis Macy & Alan Lewis Saturday was a dandy, with Macy and Heins swapping leads several times and just at the last instant Heins edged out Macy by two inches. Alan Lewis on Sunday took the GNH-445 out and won by two boats lengths over Heins in another lead changing side by side duel.
14th September 2005 - Rocky Fork, Ohio, USA  Alan Lewis ran at the weekend at Rocky Fork, Ohio in the USA. On Saturday he took to the Water in John Shewbrooks "Sho nuff". Alan ran a strong second place to the "Geezer Boat Team". With regular driver Chris Cordle on the radios, Alan made good starts and ran a great race! A broken bottom ended the Sho nuff teams weekend on Saturday By phone from Louisiana, Don Mashburn made the decision to put Alan Lewis in the finest ride in Inboard Racing, the A 60, Mr. Bud! Alan is working with the Mr. Bud team and its computer control system. Alan piloted the A-60 "Mr Bud" on the boat on Sunday.
14th September 2005 - News Release  News Release John Shewbrooks Racing 116 Stafford Drive Waverly, Ohio 45690 740-708-3224 (cell) New Zealand Racer to Compete in Regattas Veteran hydroplane racer Alan Lewis will travel from his Auckland, New Zealand, homeland to compete in two American Power Boat Association (APBA) inboard hydroplane races this summer. He will race at the Thunder in the Hills regatta at Hillsboro, Ohio on September 17 and 18, 2005. The next weekend, he will compete in the Sunset Lake Hydrofest Regatta, in Wildwood Crest, New Jersey on September 24 and 25, 2005. Alan will be driving in the 2.5 Litre Modified Class for boat owner John Shewbrooks of Waverly, Ohio. John said, "I am excited to have this world class racer in the cockpit for these very important races. I know Alan will give his all for a top finish." See web site Shewbrooks Racing This will be Alan's third year of racing hydroplanes in the United States. In 2003, Alan competed in the World Championships and finished second to racing legend Larry Lauterbach. This year, Alan will face many challengers including lady driver Ann Fitzgerald in Sandy Thompson's super fast hydroplane. Ann has won countless championships over the years. Alan will have the best equipment and a committed crew to help him win the coveted prize. After competing in the regattas, Alan will leave New Jersey for the 20-hour plane trip back to Auckland, New Zealand. Media Contact: John Shewbrooks 116 Stafford Dr. Waverly, Ohio 45690 740-708-3224 (cell) Email John Shewbrooks 5th
August 2005 - Dustin Echols 2005 UIM 2.5 Modified Hydroplane World Champion
14th July 2005 - Safety Cell  This picture taken at Valleyfield show's how important it is to have a safety cell (capsule) "Little Cracker" will have a fully enclosed capsule fitted this winter ready for the 2006 race season. 12th July 2005 - Video Clips These two clips are of the one race featuring Alan Lewis in Little Cracker. It is held on Lake Karapiro, New Zealand. I spilt the clips in two sections for the sake of those on Dial up. Click on the Image to get the Video. The Image is not representative of the video, I just haven't done a screen Shot yet.
If you wish to see more video or to purchase the DVD Featuring 1 hour and 15 minutes of the 2005 Eaton GP Hydroplane Series Please visit  13th June 2005 - UIM 2.5 Modified Hydroplane World Championship  At 200 kph plus it is like speedway on water. USA vs Australia vs New Zealand The "UIM 2.5 Modified Hydroplane World Championship" is coming down under here to New Zealand February 2006. Watch this space for more details soon ................. ©
Little Cracker Hydroplane Racing Team 2004 - 2007 |
