Updated 9 August 2005.
Updated 9 August
2005.
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Ken Warby The Worlds Fastest Man on Water |
The
Record |
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In the 1970s, Ken Warby designed, built, and ran Spirit of Australia into the record books. Many records were broken in the process. The last record to be broken was in 1978 when Ken and his team, lead by Dr. Bob Apathy, set the current record that has stood for some 27 years.
Ken, at the frisky age of 66, is about breaking his record. He has decided that it's time to bring life back into the Challenge. He thinks that 27 years is too long for a record to stand, and is plenty of time for all the "Gunnas" of the world to do something about breaking the record. The World Water Speed Record (WWSR) is possibly the most dangerous record attempt there is. Since 1978 there have been a number of fatal attempts at the WWSR. Today, there are even a couple of teams around the world talking about it, but there is only one WWSR Challenge Team that is actually doing it!
Ken has built a new boat with 50% more power. His first record breaking boat, Spirit of Australia, was powered by a 6000 horse power Westinghouse jet engine. The new boat will be pushed along by a 9000 horse power unit. Ken has built the new boat, Aussie Spirit, based on his experience of what works. Aussie Spirit is not that much different to the Spirit of Australia in design. Ken constructed the new boat in his garage in Cincinnati USA. Aussie Spirit was pronounced complete on 23rd December 1999. The team have started trials of the new boat. Ken has stated that there is only one way this record attempt will be run, and that is professionally. Initial low speed trials will be held in Taree NSW. Once low speed trials are complete then the team will begin high speed trials. It is most likely that the boat will eventually be run at Blowering Dam - NSW Australia.
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LATEST NEWS!
We are seeking any amateur footage of Ken's achievements.
If you have home movie footage of Ken running his old boat Spirit of Australia, any of his Jet Powered Drag Cars, His Jet Truck, or his early days in boat racing, please contact Milton Gilfillan of Nu-Era Productions P/L. Milton is producing a film of Ken Warby's unique life story, a one hour documentary that will be released for worldwide broadcast.Intl' +61 2 6553 6210 | Within Australia (02) 6553 6210 | Mobile 0417 244 701
June 2005 - Taree NSW
Ken and the Team went to Taree for another test session. The boat's speed was increased on previous runs. Ken believes the only speed worth talking about is the one that will be clocked over the kilo course. If you would like to know what speed he has got to, let's just say Ken is very, very happy with the performance of Aussie Spirit. He is looking forward to returning to Taree later this year for further testing and tuning. A big thanks to all the support from Ken's friends at Taree. Also a special thanks must go to John Haggin from the USA. (John, sorry about the Vegemite. - MT)
Video (1017kb WMV) by Nu Era Productions.
3 May 2005 - Australia's "King of Speed" meets British Royalty
On May 3, 2005, Ken Warby was in attendance at the RMYC Centenary luncheon held at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London. Photos
23 April 2005 - Ken was invited to crew on AMF offshore boat that set the World Performance Yacht Speed record at 118.46mph
"Ken's latest world record". Ken was invited to crew on John Haggin's 51ft Outerlimits offshore boat powered by two T53 Lycoming 1500hp helicopter turbines. The event was held in Crescent City Florida. The AMF team set a new World Performance Yacht Speed record at 118.46mph. Not bad for a boat that weighs 19,000lb. This record has special meaning for Ken. Ken received a phone call 10 minutes after stepping out of the boat to receive the news that his father had passed away.
Check out the AMF website:- www.amfoffshoreracing.com
Merchandise now available
To place your order, Contact Jenny Draper
Excite Management Ph: (02) 9526-8236
Meet the Team
We wish to introduce the Team that will support Ken.
22 January 2005 - Taree NSW!
Aussie Spirit had a very successful test on the Manning River - Taree. All systems functioned faultlessly. Acceleration rate and speed was slightly increased on the previous test. Boat characteristics continue to be as desired. It is planned that the next tests to be at conducted during Easter 2005 will be more of the same, slightly increasing acceleration and speed.
19 Dec 2004 - Taree NSW!
Ken has successfully tested Aussie Spirit at Taree.
"Ran the boat at Taree Dec 19 and it went like a scalded cat." KW.The people of Taree, New South Wales, have offered their support for Ken. This assistance has made it possible to bring the Aussie Spirit to Taree for demonstration runs.
Aussie Spirit on a trial run on the Manning River - Taree.
The New Boat Named!
The future WWSR holding boat will be "Aussie Spirit"
8 Oct 2003 - The New Boat unveiled in Australia!
It was the 25th Anniversary of the yet to be beaten World Water Speed Record. The New Boat found its way to Australia for the official unveiling at the Australian National Maritime Museum . Ken, Dr. Bob Apathy and the New Boat were at the museum on 8th October 2003 for the unveiling, 25 years to the day since Ken thundered across Blowing Dam.
Webmaster michael.tait@kenwarby.com
This Page was last updated
Tuesday, 09 August 2005
