Coniston Records Week - The bid to set new national and world records

by Emma Slater on 2 Nov 2012 From the 5th-9th November, UK Powerboat racers from around the country will head to Coniston Water in Cumbria for the 42nd 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.

'This year there’s been lots of excitement about the event and we’re certain that there will be lots of new records set', explained RYA Powerboat Racing Officer, Nicola Drummond.

With preparations well under way for the 42nd 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.

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 record attempts 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.

2011 Coniston Records Week saw a total of 10 new World Records set and 23 British Records achieved from 31 October – 04 November.

The 41st Records Week saw Ben Jelf (Maidstone, Kent) become Britain’s youngest World Speed Record holder when he achieved a speed of 43.11mph in the GT15 Class at just 11 year’s old. But this year he’ll be back for more as his record was beaten at the beginning of October by Sweden’s Jakob Elisson who achieved a speed of 43.93 mph leaving Ben with some work to do.

From the smallest boat to take to the water at Coniston to the largest - Powerboat enthusiasts are in for a real treat this year as Peters & May Racing bring the first-ever Unlimited Hydroplane to Coniston to set a new British record as the Unlimited Racing Group’s 'U-11 Peters & May' comes to Britain to make history and hopefully search for a new World Record the boat will be piloted by co-owner JW Myers.

Records week will have something for everyone as boats of all shapes and sizes make their way to the historic venue in a bid to mark their own place in history.
Coniston Powerboat Records website