The New Zealand Grand Prix Hydroplane Drivers Club recently introduce the Hall of Fame to recognise those that have done a lot for GP in New Zealand, with Peter Knight Snr being the first recipient.Â
The first recipient is Peter Knight Snr, one of the NZGP Hydroplane Drivers Club founders some 37 years ago.
Peter Knight is well known for hydroplane racing, firstly in the smaller class of 3-litre with Bell Air, 6-litre Godfather, Gone Heavy and then The Boss. Peter Knight was the first New Zealander to race in Valleyfield along with his son Peter Knight Jnr. The first year they were donated the Canadian Trophy, which is competed annually for at the NZ Powerboat National Championships.Â
Peter was to win the Masport Cup some 11 times in its 97 years history before he retired. He kept his interest in the sport and campaigned The Boss with several different drivers Selwyn Coker, JMK Michael Kelly, and Raymond Hart. Peter bought a lot of sponsorship to the GP club over the years and put the GP Club on the map in its early days.Â
Peter also had several trips to Australia to bring the EC Griffith Cup to NZ. Peter did a lot to foster Grand Prix Hydroplane racing in New Zealand, and the prestigious award bestowed on him as the first inductee to the NZ Grand Prix Hall of Fame is well deserved.
