Turn It Up at the Melton Gold Cup

Turn It Up's father-son racing duo, Scott and Connor Patterson (L-R). (Elle Cecil)

Elle Cecil

The Melton Gold Cup ran from Friday February 18 to Sunday February 20 at Melton Reservoir’s Melbourne Runabout and Speedboat Club (MRSBC). 23-year-old Sunshine employee Connor Patterson placed in three events, driving the distinctive yellow and black boat for his team, ‘Turn It Up.’

Past years have seen Patterson race as a father-son duo with his dad, Scott, however Connor was the only driver to race for Turn It Up at the 2022 event.

With boats racing at speeds of up to 240kp/h, it is a high-risk sport not suited to the faint of heart. Patterson drives an 18 foot six inch Evercraft boat, powered by a Dodge Nascar motor with a six litre iron block naturally aspirated engine, making over a whopping 850 horsepower.

As the winner of the 2021 Melton Gold Cup, there was a lot of pressure on Patterson to perform this year.

“It was hard coming into the event when I won basically every race I entered last year,” Patterson said.

Despite not winning the overall event this year, Patterson did well to maintain his reputation as a capable and courageous driver.

Placing second in the Clyde Lewis Cup and Jack Kavanaugh Placings, as well as third in the overall Melton Gold Cup event, Patterson was excited to see the large crowd following the slowing of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year, there was definitely way more people now that we’ve been freed up from COVID, it’s allowed for more mobility for people to come and watch the sport,” Patterson explained.

“It’s been a long time since the banks have been really full – pre-COVID, the opposite bank used to fill up as well. This is the first time in three years that we’ve even seen people on the other side.”

Mark Shepherdley, MRSBC vice-commodore, estimated that around 4500 people came through the gates each day.

“It was a perfect day, one of our best events ever I would say,” Shepherdley said.

“It was a very welcome sight looking up and seeing the grass filled with people.”

The event saw perfect weather for sitting on the grass, hanging out with family and friends, and watching some magnificent drivers race their boats.

For more details on the sport or the event, visit www.mrsbc.com.au.

Melton Gold Cup 2022 Results

Melton Gold Cup

1st – Duggan Balancing

2nd – Shananigans

3rd – Turn It Up

Jack Kavanaugh Placings

1st Shananigans

2nd – Turn It Up

3rd – Too Addicted

4th – BNR Engines

5th – Rastus

Keith Harrison Cup

1st – Outlaw

2nd – The Real Culprit

3rd – Destiny

Clyde Lewis Trophy

1st – Shananigans

2nd – Turn It Up

3rd – Image

Oz Lite 1.6 Litre Hydroplanes

1st – Melton Toyota – 100

2nd – Melton Toyota – 86

3rd – S15

105MPH

1st – Tyrant

2nd – Juggernaut

3rd – Trouble

95MPH:

1st – Moonshine Racing

2nd – The Artist

3rd – One More

25HP

1st – Tuff ‘e’ Nuff

2nd – Reckless

3rd – Takin’ A Chance