Speed records-Piston power
 

My friends and I were just discussing the a write up on another website that states " The fastest lap ever recorded by a piston-powered boat on any sized race course is 148.410 on a 2.5-mile track at the Tri-Cities, WA, in 1995 during qualification. This was by Mitch Evans with the Coopers' U-3 (the 1988 hull). The current U-3's performance at Seattle this year is the piston record for a 2-mile course set at 145.612 MPH."

What prevents an Offshore class, Cat or Vee from challenging those records????
We also assume (hate that word) the word "course" excludes a straight shoot course as is run by drag boats.

Below is the U3 2002 version

Thanks
marc

How would you do a lap on a drag course??

Marc,

Your assumption is correct. The KILO record is the straightaway record set over one KILOMETER. Our lap records in Unlimited Hydros are set in qualifying (APBA record only) and in competition (Both APBA and UIM) . In Limited Hydros, which is anything not an Unlimited, all competition records are set during a heat of competition.

As to Coopers new boat, I'd wager they will qualify at over 154 in San Diego, and maybe even higher. In fact, he will probably out qualify our boat :( and if so, I hope I'm first to congratulate Ed and his Family. They have been loyal competitors for over 4 decades and the last holdout running Allison power.

I'm blessed to still hold the current world records for fastest overall race at 154 MPH set in Hawaii in 1993 and the fastest lap record at 166.236 during a heat of competition.

Dave Vilwock ran a faster lap during qualifying at San Diego at 173 MPH +. However, the world records are only established during an actual race. Qualifying is with only one boat on the course and generally you're WOT the entire time. In an actual race you're in and out of the throttle due to a myriad of conditions, wind, waves, other competitors, etc.

When you're in San Diego, come to our truck and I'll show you the computer print outs from our qualifying and heat racing. The info is pretty complete, and includes real time speed, throttle position, rudder position, G loads, PSI loads on the running surfaces, N-1, N-2, Bleed band operation, fuel pressures, etc.

Take care Marc, see you in a few weeks.

Steve

Steve David,

Damn 154, on land I went that fast on a motorcycle once. cannot imagine in a boat. Has to be absolute crazy. Glad you still have the record.:D

WILL

Thanks Will !

Very impressive to say the least! Those kind of numbers don't come easy in anything - let alone something that floats. Would like to stop by to say Hi and look at the boat while in San Diego for the races.

Wish I could go!:( maybe next year:D

Here's a question...

Who holds the all-out piston driven watercraft speed record (any type of piston driven boat)? I took a friend out on the water last year and he claimed his Uncle held (or still holds) the water speed record for piston powered boats. His boat is supposed to be on display in the Motorsport's Museum in Novi, Michigan.

Anyone know?

Bayley - Not sure but would like to know myself. Hope someone replies with a certified (verbals don't count) speed.

PISTON RECORD
 

I reckon it must still be Roy Duby in the Miss U>S> in 1958 at 200.013 mph, Guntersville Al.

Does your friends uncle own one of those 4000 hp 19 foot v-drive boats ??? ;)

I agree it is Roy Duby at 200.42 mph with Merlin power. The record was set in UIM class 1116 for "Unlimited with immersed propeller" in 1962.

Duby's record is/was commonly refered to as the "propeller driven speed record" or "world prop speed record". Last year, Russ Wicks set a new record (UIM class 3441 - Propeller Driven Fling Mile-Special Event) breaking Duby's speed with a mark of 205.494 mph in a Lycoming powered hydro.

dc

dc - Thanks for the numbers!

Why do the top fuel hydro's not qualify ? They are making passes in the 220's if memory serves me correctly.

Daz what I'm talkin' bout :cool:

I am not sure for Top Fuel Hydros. Unlimited Hydro's can only set records during class competition. That said, I guess either could enter a "Special Event" sanctioned by UIM/APBA to attempt a "Speed Record". The allowed distances include nautical mile, statute mile, and kilometer (aquabikes @ 500 metres). In the case of the Top Fuel Hydro, these distances may prove a greater test of reliability than speed.

Shane - APBA/UIM certified speed records (that I am aware of anyway) are average speeds for one kilometer. Top fuel hydros register top speed at the end of a quarter mile. An example would be our kilo run in Cleveland where the GPS recall was 195.6 but our average kilo speed due to the short runnup was only 191.469 mph.

KiloKat,

Do you think the timing equipment used to determine "average speed" in sanctioned attempts is as accurate/reliable as GPS?

dc

Personally NO - but that is the way it is I guess. Have you seen what they use at the APBA events?

I really don't understand why modern (and I belive more accurate) timing/speed technology that exists today isn't used. Especially when a certified world speed record is at stake!!

I think you would agree that the most accurate technology available should be used.

KiloKat,

I have not seen it but understand it is manually operated scanners or photoelectric devices that trigger stopwatches.

I agree that the best available techology should be utilized. Has anyone made proposals to the Timing Subcommittee for alternative methods for approval?

dc

Yes - but the problem is finding a better way of "triggering" the start and stop clocks at each end of the kilo. I understand that SBI was using manually operated "stop watches" in the Washington, NC kilo runs!!

Don't get me wrong - I'm quite satisfied that the official record speeds are very very close. But I do believe the methods used could be improved with "laser" technology. Everything else involved with an APBA/UIM sanctioned kilo event seems to be very well executed - such as accurately surveyed courses, etc.