The World Water Speed Record

The World Water Speed Record

Author: Roy Calley

Publisher: Amberley Publishing Limited

Published: 2014-09-15

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 1445637987

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The first comprehensive and definitive history of the quest for one of the world’s most dangerous records.


The Emerald Mile

The Emerald Mile

Author: Kevin Fedarko

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2014-07

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 1439159866

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The epic story of the fastest boat ride in history, on a hand-built dory named the "Emerald Mile," through the heart of the Grand Canyon on the Colorado river.


Crusader

Crusader

Author: Steve Holter

Publisher: Evro Publishing Limited

Published: 2021-06-15

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9781910505618

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The tale of Crusader, the jet-powered boat of 1952, appears to be a simple one about the ambition of John Cobb and Reid Railton, two unassuming but deeply gifted men, to break the water speed record on Loch Ness only for their efforts to end in tragedy. In fact the story behind that fateful outcome -- Cobb's death on his first high-speed run -- is a complex web of clever design and inspirational endeavour mixed with personality clashes and errors of judgment. After many years of research, including access to a wealth of original documentation, Steve Holter unravels the entire saga of the ill-fated Crusader and presents a compelling detective story. John Cobb: the modest businessman with such a thirst for speed that he wanted to become the fastest man on water as well as on wheels after setting his land speed record of 396.196mph in 1947. Reid Railton: inspired designer and long-time friend behind Cobb's greatest speed accomplishments, notably with the Napier-Railton (holder of the lap record at Brooklands) and the Railton Mobil Special (land speed record car). In-depth study of Railton's innovative 'three-point' hull design for Crusader, with two rear sponsons and a single 'planing shoe' at the front -- plus a De Havilland Ghost jet engine delivering 5,000lb of thrust. Evolution of the design in parallel with testing of scale models, including a miniature jet-powered version evaluated near Portsmouth Harbour. Assessment and description of boat-builder Vosper's wooden construction, under Peter Du Cane's direction. An exhaustive account of proceedings at Loch Ness, where Cobb finally attempted a high-speed run on 29 September 1952 and achieved 206.89mph, faster than anyone had previously gone on water. Analysis of the structural failure that destroyed Crusader and killed Cobb. Much of the story is told in the words of the key protagonists, drawing in particular on correspondence and written accounts from the key people involved, most notably John Cobb, Reid Railton and Peter Du Cane.


World's Fastest Coffin on Water

World's Fastest Coffin on Water

Author: Bill Tuckey

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 166

ISBN-13: 9781921496066

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Australian Ken Warby is a member of the world's most exclusive club the only man to have broken the world water speed record and returned to raise it again. All the others have been killed trying it- Sir Henry Segrave, John Cobb, Donald Campbell, Lee Taylor.


Bonneville's Women of Land Speed Racing

Bonneville's Women of Land Speed Racing

Author: “LandSpeed” Louise Ann Noeth

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing

Published: 2021-07-12

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 1467107131

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At Bonneville, record holders must first earn the right to present themselves on the starting line. This requires passing rigorous safety and technical checks for driver, rider, and speed machine. Gender is inconsequential. Through the years, more than 200 women have made the cut and donned fireproof clothing and helmets. Dozens have set land speed records--35 in excess of 200 miles per hour, six above 300 miles per hour, and one deaf female racer who roared past 500 miles per hour. Equally impressive are the women who helped propel the helmeted gals into glory. Few know how many women are skilled fabricators, mechanics, crew chiefs, and all-round land speed racing experts, all working out on a brutal, merciless, and barren sodium-soaked playa. And for decades dedicated volunteers have not only put down that all-important starting line but erected a speed village that inspired tens of thousands to visit, taunting the timing lights run after run. Since 1949, women have played an integral part. Without question, land speed racing has more women actively participating and setting records than any other segment of motorsports in the world.


The History of Speed

The History of Speed

Author: Martin Roach

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2020-10-29

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 1471189333

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'A special treat...The pictures and stories combine to provide a rich texture to telling the difficult story of why we chase speed like an addiction.' Valerie Thompson, the world's fastest female motorcycle racer Ever since we built machines that could transport us, there has been a desire to find ways to make them go faster. For some, going faster isn't enough - they want to be the fastest. This book celebrates those who have built the machines and driven them at ever greater speeds. This is The History of Speed. Bestselling motorsport writer Martin Roach tells the extraordinary story of those who have come to be obsessed by speed. From Camille Jenatzy, 'the Red Devil', who became the first man to drive at over 100kmh in 1899, through the golden age of Malcolm Campbell and his Bluebird, and on to the modern era of jet- and rocket-propelled cars, we have gone faster and faster. But this book is not just about these record-breakers, Roach also looks at the technology, the engines and the inventors who helped progress in speed at all levels, from Formula One to the supercars from the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes that are eagerly snapped up by collectors, rarely to be seen on the road. Accompanied by some of the most stunning images of the cars and those who made and drove them, Roach tells a wonderful story of innovation and invention. He talks to some of the great drivers to find out what inspires them to risk their lives, and finds out from engineers how they developed their ideas. Along the way, we hear some remarkable tale and anecdotes, but also find out how the pursuit of speed can also have its costs, with many tragic heroes and heroines falling along the way. If you've ever thrilled to the roar of a sports car engine, of loved the feel of the g-force as you accelerate away, or even looked on in wonder at a powerful engine, The History of Speed is a book that you will not want to miss out on.


The World's Fastest Boats

The World's Fastest Boats

Author: Nick Cook

Publisher: Capstone

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 54

ISBN-13: 9780736805698

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Discusses the history and development of some of the world's fastest boats, describing the specific features and specifications of such vessels as ice boats, catamarans, hydrofoils, and jetboats.


Land Speed Records

Land Speed Records

Author: Don Wales

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2018-03-22

Total Pages: 65

ISBN-13: 1784422525

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The Land Speed Record is a fascinating story of human endeavour – of man and machine battling time to be the fastest. Since 1898 many have dreamed of being the fastest on earth, first with electric, then steam, then petrol, moving forward to the jet car, and into the present and future with rocket power. The glory years of the record are studded with iconic names such as Malcolm and Donald Campbell, Henry Segrave, John Cobb, George Eyston, and more recently Craig Breedlove and Richard Noble. The next race is on for 1,000mph with the latest British attempt by Bloodhound SSC. In this colourfully illustrated introduction, using many photographs from the Motoring Picture Library at Beaulieu, Malcolm Campbell's grandson tells of the brave drivers and powerful machines that have propelled themselves into the record books.


Speed

Speed

Author: Guy Martin

Publisher: Random House

Published: 2014-01-02

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 144813255X

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Guy Martin, lorry mechanic, motorcycle racing legend and favourite of the Isle of Man TT, lives for the buzz he feels racing his bike round terrifying bends at 200mph. Nothing, he claims, can match it. Or can it? Guy is about to find out ... Guy faces four dangerous and thrilling speed record challenges, pushing the boundaries of speed, and his body, to determine just how fast one man can go. Together with the best of British engineering and design, scientific research, ground breaking technology and a Gold-medal-winning athlete or two, Guy attempts to pedal a bicycle over 100mph by using the slipstream of an articulated lorry; build the world’s fastest human-powered aircraft; hydroplane a modified motocross bike across a two kilometre lake and become the fastest man on a toboggan. Tying in with the Channel 4 television series, Speed offers the inside track – the feats of engineering, the science behind the speed, the history of the challenges and Guy’s adrenaline fuelled, jaw-dropping attempts to break the records. How do you create an aeroplane frame that’s super light but safe enough to crash? What should you fill your bicycle tyres with if common air will explode under the heat of 100mph speeds? And why is the shape of a peregrine falcon the ideal model for a toboggan? Exploring aerodynamics, surface tension, friction, gravity and ground effect, Guy discovers how and why things go really fast.