Gear up for record breaking week
9:26am Thursday 25th October 2007
Over 40 powerboat enthusiasts from around Britain are setting their sights on breaking world and national speed records on Coniston Water in Cumbria from 5th to 9th November.
Coniston Powerboat Records Week is the finale to the UK's racing season and the only event in the powerboat racing calendar to bring together all classes of boat, reaching staggering speeds of up to 140mph.
The adrenalin-fuelled event attracts hundreds of spectators to this beautiful corner of the Lake District.
2007 is the 40th anniversary of Donald Campbell's fatal crash on Coniston Water during an attempt to beat his own water speed record in Bluebird.
Last year, local competitor Ted Walsh achieved a new national and world record for the S3000 powerboat category on Coniston Water. Mr Walsh entered the record books after driving his catamaran TerrorDACtyl' at an average speed of 138mph, beating his previous record of 132mph.
The event is organised by Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club, whose past members include Donald Campbell.
Alison Whalley, Chairman of the organising committee, says: "The event attracts visitors from all over the UK and overseas who come to experience the thrills on Coniston Water, as well as the breathtaking lake and mountain scenery.
"People can expect to see everything from tiny hydroplanes and inshore circuit racers to the largest offshore boats all attempting to break waterspeed records."
For almost a hundred years powerboat record attempts have been made on several of Cumbria's lakes, including Coniston Water. The annual powerboat speed Records Week had been held on Windermere since 1970, but an enforced 10mph speed limit resulted in the move to Coniston three years ago.
Phillip Johnston, owner of The Coppermines & Coniston Lakes Cottages and a sponsor of Coniston Powerboat Records Week, says: "Coniston has been the spiritual home of record breaking since Donald Campbell's famous world speed record, so it's the perfect venue for this event and we're proud to be hosting it here.
"The event provides a real boost to the tourism industry in the Coniston area at what is usually a quiet time of year."
In the village of Coniston, the Ruskin Museum has a display of Donald Campbell memorabilia, including sections of his record breaking boat Bluebird'.
For more information on the Coniston Powerboat Records Week visit: www.conistonpowerboatrecords.co.uk