World Water Speed Record (Heather Spurle).mp4

PLEASE READ THE DETAILS REGARDING THIS SPEED RECORD BEFORE COMMENTING.
The record was set over 3 decades ago in a timber hulled Grand prix Hydroplane, a prop driven boat powered by an automotive engine. It was the 3rd fastest outright speed recorded by a GP Hydro at the time and still sits in the top 5 speeds ever recorded for this class of boat - it should not be compared against the awesome outright jet powered world water speed record set by the late Ken Warby!
TV3 Sports news footage of Heather Spurle's successful Womens World Water Speed Record attempt at lake Ruataniwha, New Zealand, May 1990. The record was set in the Knight Racing Team's 'CRC Latimer Lodge' race boat, a beautiful old timber framed Lauterbach Grand Prix Hydroplane
Whilst referred to as the UIM Womans World Water Speed Record, the record was set in a Grand Prix Hydroplane class of race boat (automotive powered, prop driven) and claimed as an Unlimited Hydroplane class record.
It definitely was NOT intended to be compared against Ken Warby's outright World Water Speed Record set in the purpose built jet powered record challenger - The 'Spirit of Australia'.

[@Speedfan2011]

Please remember that whilst this run did break the Womans Outright World Water Speed Record it was only set in a Lauterbach GP Hydroplane, not an outright jet powered contender. If you are going to compare it against a 'mans' record then you must compare it against similar classes of boat. It is unfortunate in some ways that this record was recorded as an 'Unlimited Hydroplane' Speed Record attempt because it precluded it being recognised as a GP Hydroplane record as well (you can only set one record per attempt) which is a shame - The current 'GP Hydroplane World Record' set in 2010 is 166.890mph - still slower than the speed Heather recorded !

[@joevald3]

You are right about two things , it was Kitty O'Neill . She did drive a jet powered boat. But it was not a prop driven boat . She only made a pass one-way . So that didn't qualify for record . Everyone knows she was death from birth . So she drove everything by feel . At the end of the first pass . When she got out she said she would not make a second pass because she did not like the way it felt . She had she had no control over anything . It was like being on ice . There is a video on KZbin showing all of her attempts at different records and even the television show she did narrated by rock Hudson . The girl in New Zealand on the other hand drove a propeller driven boat and she made to way past which gave for the record . Even though it didn't look dangerous it was...

[@willsullivan7074]

A blast from the past. These are old, old hydroplanes.

[@dieseldog00]

Where are these women now?? I had never heard of either of them. We need more strong women like these two!!

[@wifesboss]

I actually watched this event and took photos.

[@hcrun]

"Lives AGAIN"? You did notice that this was in 1990....that's more than 20 years before you posted your comment!

[@youthgroupjetboat2027]

Crikey Ken your shrimps been on the barby too long!

[@MrBillnorton]

The shovel nose hydro live again!!! yeepee I love it.

[@mjd4174]

In this age of equality seems interesting that we make such a fuss about a woman driving a hydroplane at half the actual speed record.

[@Speedfan2011]

It was not an outright speed record boat. It was set in a timber hulled, open cockpit GP Hydroplane and when it was set, it was the 3rd fastest speed ever recorded for a GP Hydroplane (fastest outright being 177mph)

[@xXelitegpXx]

I find it idiotic to distinguish women’s from men’s when it comes to boat racing… neither have any biological advantage as they would in other sports.

[@joevald3]

Always thought the world record for woman was held by American girl . She drove the boat call the Hustler . It was way faster ..

[@Speedfan2011]

Depends on whether you are thinking about outright terminal speed like a drag boat or a speed record attempt where it is the average speed attained over a measured distance (2 x runs over a one kilometer course, 1 run in each direction) ... Do you know where & when did the American girl drove the Hustler and if it in a race or a proper speed record attempt ?

[@grooviefan]

@@Speedfan2011 the hustler was a speed record boat. Not a drag boat.

[@Speedfan2011]

@@grooviefan Thanks. I know Lee Taylor drove a record boat called Hustler that was later sold and renamed Captain Crazy. It's this boat the amazing Kitty O'Neil drove in a single pass at 275mph but refused to do a return run because "it was too old and dangerous" so her record was never officially ratified. Still an impressive speed on water. Maybe this is the American Girl Joe was thinking about ?

[@scottysmediaproductions]

That music..... gah!

[@Retroscoop]

The only thing that was lacking was an exotic long feather on that frivolous hat... Oh yes, the race... Well yes, speedchasing definetely is in the genes of some families. Not always sure what is the added value for global mankind, but it is impressive, and may bring some technical innovations along the way that are also applyable on "normal" boats. And well, I'm glad the one sponsor that said yes got a good "return on investment", to remain in the specific business lingo...

[@n3lis94]

I am really sorry but I can't take this that seriously if I'm honest. This is HALF the speed of the true water speed record. Men did these speeds 1950s.

[@Speedfan2011]

It's a class record - 'Record Mondial de vitesse en classe Unlimited Hydro - Femmes' actually set in a Grand Prix Hydroplane which is smaller than an Unlimited Hydro. Due to a timing error, Heather's fastest run on the day wasn't actually recorded and the outright GP Hydro record at that time was 'only' 177mph so the speed achieved was pretty much on the money. It just so happened no woman had driven any boat faster, irrespective of whether it was prop, turbine or jet powered, so the title legitimately stands

[@grooviefan]

Alabastine , how does your record attempt compare ??

[@herbjohnson7275]

😁👏👏👏👏👏👏✊️

[@ianb4801]

Is there a more pointless “record” than this? Why on earth does gender have anything to do with ability to drive a boat fast? Surely this is women wishing to be treated as second class beings

[@Speedfan2011]

What is your problem ? There is nothing 'second class' about averaging 271kph over 2km's in a timber hulled, prop driven GP Hydro power boat to set a world record more than 3 decades ago, irrespective of whether you are male or female.

[@ianb4801]

@@Speedfan2011 exactly my point so why is there a “womens’ world speed record”? In equestrian sports, there is no “gender”. Surely this should be the case with fast boats as well.

[@Speedfan2011]

@@ianb4801 They do not differentiate between men & women now but they did 33 years ago... It doesn't make the speed achieved or record set any less impressive and definitely wasn't considered "second class"

[@ianb4801]

@@Speedfan2011 pogress then

[@gordonanderson3111]

If this is still a quest - I have a plan for boats that could easily and safely break the water speed records - Great World Champ Siebold racing agrees but - my engines exhaust pure water and I have lots of shop experience to build them -yetHOPEhas been made topsecret{as the CCC rushes ahead to build it} so can not be built or even talked about ithe USA - fly my over there and we can safely run up to '700mph' on a 'steam rocket. really -

[@francoiseboumekkib6071]

Gordon

[@antonydick9383]

Bull Shite...

[@Slicklickz]

You spelled "Seebold" wrong.

[@gordonanderson3111]

@@Slicklickz No big deal..... the poor chumps died trying to build and fly my craft without me. sad.... very sad.

[@mjd4174]

You're a fucking loony. As soon as anyone mentions "top secret" you know they are full of crap.

[@TheRealTaco]

There is no point in having women world records for things like this, it's so stupid and pointless you just need a lot of money and drive well enough that you don't die. And why the hell are they going so slow? 100 mph less than a REAL world record? Shouldn't count for anything

[@420sebastien]

Its true their is no reason she couldn't go the same speed as the guys top record. Unless she was just ok with that which is even weirder

[@Speedfan2011]

If you research speed records set by GP Hydroplanes in 1990 you will find Heather's record was actually the 3rd fastest GP Hydroplane speed record ever recorded at that time, only 6mph slower than Peter Knight Senior's record in the team's older (faster) Lauterbach GP Hydroplane, The Boss. Her speed is still in the top 5 GP Hydroplane speed records ever recorded.