Quest for the World Water Speed Record

Seattle, WA (August 3, 2001) - A consortium of Aerospace Engineers, Technical Partners and Business Leaders today announced their plans to seek a new World Water Speed Record. The group, formally called "American Challenge" provided details at a 11:00 a.m. press conference held at Seattle's Stan Sayres Memorial Pits prior to the annual SEAFAIR Hydroplane Races.

Seattle has played an important part in speed record history (including Stan Sayers, who set the mile speed record on Lake Washington on June 26, 1950).   Seattle has been the location of many world speed record attempts, home to several race boat drivers and features technology companies that have the resources to design and build a boat capable of setting a new World Water Speed Record.

Several Northwest area technology companies are part of the American Challenge team, including Analytical Methods, Inc. (AMI), SuperGraphics, a division of GM Nameplate, InfoSpace, Marine Hardware, and Uflex USA.

The current World Water Speed Record is 317.60 MPH held by Australia's Ken Warby since 1978.   The pilot of American Challenge will be American and Seattle native Russ Wicks.   On June 15, 2000, Wicks became the fastest man on water in a propeller-driven boat while racing across Lake Washington in an Unlimited Hydroplane.   The event received extensive media attention including coverage by ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX Sports as well as a 30-minute documentary featured on ESPN's Speed World.