Water speed record falls after 38 years

MomSeattle · DadSeattle · SPI · MySeattlePix · My account

Local

US/World

Sports

Business

A&E

Life

Comics

Photos

Opinion

Blogs

Buy Ads

NWsource

Water speed record falls after 38 years

Friday, June 16, 2000

By MIKE McLAUGHLIN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

Talk about accelerating through the learning curve.

Two weeks ago, 34-year-old Russ Wicks took his first ride in an unlimited hydroplane. In a matter of two hours yesterday, the Enumclaw native set two one-mile straightaway records, including breaking the 1962 one-mile water speed record for propeller-driven boats of 200.419 miles per hour.

The record run ended the longest-standing major speed record in motorsports history.

Wicks averaged 205.494 mph yesterday on the north end of Lake Washington to break Roy Duby's 38-year-old record.

"The boat was running great," Wicks said. "I wanted to keep going out there. It's a great accomplishment for the crew and a credit to all those who helped us along the way."

After rough water delayed the record attempt on Wednesday, the American Power Boat Association-sanctioned attempt was given an additional time allotment to make another attempt.

With yesterday's four-hour window of 7 to 11 a.m. to set the record, there was little room for unexpected problems or mistakes.

Conditions were near-perfect with mild temperatures -- little to no wind and smooth water. Wicks took the turbine-powered Miss Freei out for an initial run around 8 a.m. but ran out of fuel while testing.

By 9 a.m., the boat was refueled and on the water again. The Miss Freei appeared to run smoothly, but there were problems. After the run, the Freei crew needed to change the rear strut bushing. For a moment, it appeared the boat might be done for the day.

However, Wicks returned to set a one-mile straightaway record for a turbine-powered, propeller-driven boat of 195.126 mph. Another record was attempted around 10:30 a.m.

To make an official record, APBA rules state the boat must make runs in opposite directions on the one-mile course within a 20-minute period. The average of the two times is the official speed.

As the blue-and-fluorescent yellow boat made its first run north on the one-mile straightaway, the boat was running so smoothly it appeared Wicks wasn't pushing record speeds. But when the crew members monitoring his time erupted in cheers, it was obvious Wicks was well on his way to a record.

Wicks' first run was recorded at 207.254. His second run was 203.735, and his average of 205.494 beat the old record by more than 5 mph.

"That's it!" yelled an ecstatic Ken Muscatel, team owner and driver of Miss Freei on the unlimited circuit. "Bring her home, baby! It's unbelievable! We just broke a 38-year-old record."

Now the plan is for Wicks to go to Evansville, Ind., and go behind the wheel on an unlimited race course to earn qualification as an unlimited race driver.

"Today was a great day for hydroplane racing," said Muscatel. "It brings enthusiasm on the heels of a new face (Wicks) and a new sponsor (Freeinternet.com). It shows what a little imagination, some creativity and hard work can produce."