The Australasian Unlimited Speedboat Championship 1948 EC Griffith Cup… —Owing to World War I, the race was not run from 1917 to 1921, and World War II caused a break from 1942 until today. A link with the battles of the past to be found in the fact that the hull used by Mr. Harry McEvoy as Cetien is raced today (1948) as Sunray II, but is now powered with a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine of 1200 horsepower. Pennzol has also been fitted with a Rolls Royce kestral power unit since her victory in 1939.
Published by GillGirl Media/Paula Gill – GILFLITE website for The History of Australian Power Boat Racing, Vol One, ‘For the Record’ by Paula Gill
Copy of this 1948 EC Griffith Cup Program was traded with the author of John ‘Mac’ McGinnis Williams – Speed Boat Champion for a historic EC Griffith Cup Medallion
Story researched, written and presented by: Julianne Dodds (Daughter of Racing Boat Champion ‘John Williams’). Copyright 2025
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary Win of Miss Bud driven by Bob Saniga
1976 E. C. Griffith Cup
This year at the 2026 Yarrawonga Power Boat Spectacular, The Victorian Speedboat Club proudly presented the 2026 E.C. Griffith Cup Program, honoring the 50th anniversary of Miss Bud’s historic 1976 EC Griffith Cup victory, driven by the legendary Bob Saniga. Dive into this year’s commemorative souvenir program and relive a milestone in Australian powerboat racing.
Story below, as described by Bob Saniga – Driving Miss Bud to victory
Miss BUD became a reality because of Norm Putt. He envisaged a Team with 2 Thunder boats in the ‘stable’ following the disastrous attempt at trying to win the American Power Boat Gold Cup in 1974. What ensued was that Miss BUD & Solo/VS41 became opponents.
I was asked by Norm to become Miss BUD’s driver after she arrived in Melbourne late November 1975. Our first race was to be the Griffith Cup, on Australia Day 1976.
However, I changed this decision as I needed some experience in driving Miss BUD.
A test run at Lake Glenmaggie was set in motion for early December. The Committee talked Norm into entering a race there. Solo was also entered. We won.
Norm entered us into both the Boxing Day & New Year’s Day meetings at Yarrawonga. We again won our races on both days.
It’s amazing how some small matters interfere with plans. I had inadvertently upset Norm and we parted company. However, the ripples settled & we ironed out our differences.
Miss BUD was a far superior Hydro than Solo. We won our Heat to make the final which included Solo, a big contender with Miss BUD. However, taking it easy, Solo did a slightly faster time in their Heat. Stan Jones was heard to say, “Tramp it at the start, & keep turning left”!
We drew pole position 2. Solo drew the outside lane. At flag fall, we edged ahead but could see Solo charging up from behind and trying to ‘close the gate’ at the first turn. We cornered better & pulled ahead, increasing our lead on every lap and eventually winning by more than half a lap. This, I consider was possible due to the experience I obtained in the 3 lead up races.
Solo driven by Stan Jones came in second & third place was won by Superstock driven by Ben Praibisz.
If anyone is interested in watching parts of this event which was photographed by Ernie Nunn, type in 1976 E. C. Griffith Cup on UTube!
Sincerely,
Bob Saniga
Written by Mr Bob Saniga -1976 EC Griffith Cup Winner driving Miss Bud. Written for the VSBC feature article in the 2026 Yarrawonga Power Boat Spectacular Souvenir Program.
Later, published by Paula Gill (GillGirl Media) GILFLITE Boats website – recording the rich history of Australian Power Boat Racing during the Thunderboat era.
Photos courtesy of Gavin Anderson, Scott Williamson, Bob Carter – Thank you
Below: A Bronze E. C. Griffith Cup Unlimited Racing Commemoration Medallion from, R. (Ron) Simpson PTY LTD Melbourne (Ringwood). Features winners from 1910 to 1977. These were also issued in Silver and some went over to USA when the Boat ‘Solo’ competed overseas.
Below: Article as featured in the 2026 Yarrawonga Power Boat Spectacular Souvenir Program
Below: 2026 E.C. Griffith Cup Souvenir Program – Presented by the Victorian Speed Boat Club
Dive into this year’s commemorative souvenir program and relive a milestone in Australian powerboat racing where Grant Harrison won his 10th Griffith Cup, beating the Kiwis and following in the footsteps of his father Kieth Harrison.
The links below provide further fascinating reading about the rich history of Australian Power Boat Racing
