From 31 October to 4 November UK Powerboat Racers from all over the country will head to Coniston Water in Cumbria for the 41st Annual Coniston Records Week, in the bid to set new National and World speed records.
 
Coniston Power Boat Records Week is the only event in the powerboat racing calendar to bring together all classes of boat. From tiny hydroplanes, through inshore circuit racers to the largest offshore boats, entry is open to all. Competitors and officials from all over the country assemble annually for what has been a popular event since its inception in 1970, and is regarded as the grand finale to the racing season.
 
Spectators are welcome to come along and cheer the racers and on and enjoy the spectacle of these fearless racers in action.
 
“Coniston Records Week is always a highlight on the racing calendar.  You never know how things are going to turn out, who will clinch a new record or if the weather will be just right to provide the optimum conditions for maximum speed.
 
“The RYA will be providing a daily update from the event to keep everyone up to speed with the results”, explained RYA Powerboat Racing Officer, Nicola Drummond.
 
With preparations well under way for the 41st Coniston Records week, teams are making their final arrangements before they head north for what is set to be an exhilarating week of pure speed and adrenaline.
 
To find out more about Coniston Records Week visit http://www.conistonpowerboatrecords.co.uk/ or if you want to find out how you can get involved in powerboat racing visit www.rya.org.uk
 
Looking back
For almost a hundred years Powerboat record attempts have been made on several of the English lakes including Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston Water. Following the introduction of the Windermere speed limit in early 2005 and after a good deal of effort from many volunteers, Records Week 2005 took place on Coniston Water over a newly surveyed kilometre course.
 
The most famous drivers to take part in records week in the past have been Sir Henry Segrave, Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. Coniston, the ‘spiritual’ home of record breaking, since the Campbells, is most welcoming to Records Week and looks forward to their return this year. Drivers, support crews, officials, families and spectators are always welcome to enjoy the beautiful Coniston area, surrounded by its spectacular mountain scenery.
 
2010 saw over 100 individual record attempts during the 40th Coniston Records week with over 23 records being broken or set. Highlights of the week saw the first three attempts set new World and National records in excess of 100mph.
 
First to take to the water was Jim Noone in his FR1000, the existing speed was 89.60mph set by Jim in 2008. It only took one attempt recording 102mph on the outward run and 105mph on the run back Jim smashed the record by over 14mph setting a new World and National Speed record at 103.87mph.
 
It was success for the second run of the week also as Ted Walsh in his O3000 took to the water. With an existing record of 143.03mph Ted took to the water in the hope of achieving the illustrious 150mph record. Achieving 151.76mph on the outward run but only managing  142.028mph on the run back meaning the new World and National Record taken from the average was set at a phenomenal 146.89mph and the fastest speed of the week.
 
Hydroplane racer Julian Codling who had already had an extraordinary year securing both the National Circuit Outboard Champion and National Circuit Outboard Sprint O:250 Championship titles and taking a European Bronze Medal in his first year of international competition. He went to Coniston in search of a new World Record to add to his list of achievements, the existing record held by Malcolm Goodman set at 100.56mph back in 2006.
 
So as the mist lifted and conditions looked good he set off on the 3rd run of the week in what would be his first and only run.  Coming ashore Julian was confident he had broken the existing record but was staggered when it was announced that he’d achieved an average speed of 112.27mph smashing the existing record by over 12mph and earning himself a coveted K7 gold star from the K7 Club.
 
The question now is; what will happen in 2011?