Tauranga harbour is set to resonate with the sound of powerful V8 engines as hydroplanes tear around it this weekend. The Masport Cup is being held this weekend and New Zealand Grand Prix Drivers Club president and current cup holder David Alexander is looking forward to returning to a bigger and better event at Tauranga.

Chelsey and Brody Mathieson in their modified hydroplane.

'We are going to have an airshow running as well, and we are hoping to have it all happening quicker – we will try and beef it up a bit,” says David.
Construction of grandstands for the event began on Thursday at The Strand Reclamation car park. There is seating for 751 and plenty more space for people to be able to wander through the pit areas.
The event runs all weekend, with practices and time trials on Saturday and championship races on Sunday.