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
