While Wicks' accomplishment is great, what is truly amazing is that Roy Duby set the 1962 record in an open-cockpit, mostly-wood boat running a WW2 Allison aircraft engine. Wicks beat him by only 5 MPH in a turbine-engined boat with modern technology, a boat that is almost more jet fighter than boat.
I was a crew member on the Miss US 5 in 1962-3. Roy Duby told me that he was 230 mph on his record run in the Miss US 1 and he went through the timing markers crooked because you can't change direction too easily at that speed. He was asked if he wanted to try again, and he said "No. I didn't see where I was going last time." He accepted the results at 200.419 mph. Duby had eyes like an eagle and could see a fly at 100 yards, but he couldn't focus up close and wanted me in the shop to line up die marks using my much younger eyes. He broke his neck in an earlier hydroplane race and that probably saved his life because he didn't race again. Only did testing and special runs. He lived into his 90s.
No way. Topping out around 180 to 190 on race course. Anyway to set a straightaway record takes two runs, in opposite directions. Usually need a few miles runup before you hit the traps then slow down time. When the Bud set the kilo record it was going 229 when the rudder fell off
@@denniscashell2407 wrong. October 1979. Boat was estimated at 215 to 226 at time of crash. Chenoweth said he saw 220 on speedometer just before accident. Instead of arguing look it up
Dufus. Thats top speed. This was average speed over 1 mile I direction, then the same mile the other direction. No top fueler would even have enough fuel onboard for one run.
While Wicks' accomplishment is great, what is truly amazing is that Roy Duby set the 1962 record in an open-cockpit, mostly-wood boat running a WW2 Allison aircraft engine. Wicks beat him by only 5 MPH in a turbine-engined boat with modern technology, a boat that is almost more jet fighter than boat.
Roy Duby used a Rolls-Merlin engine in the record run.
I was a crew member on the Miss US 5 in 1962-3. Roy Duby told me that he was 230 mph on his record run in the Miss US 1 and he went through the timing markers crooked because you can't change direction too easily at that speed. He was asked if he wanted to try again, and he said "No. I didn't see where I was going last time." He accepted the results at 200.419 mph. Duby had eyes like an eagle and could see a fly at 100 yards, but he couldn't focus up close and wanted me in the shop to line up die marks using my much younger eyes. He broke his neck in an earlier hydroplane race and that probably saved his life because he didn't race again. Only did testing and special runs. He lived into his 90s.
If I'm correct, the Miss Budwieser Dave Villwock record was for a kilometer distance not a measured mile like the record Russ Wicks set.
Yes I agree with others only 206 MPH with a modern highly advanced machine should have been more like 250 MPH. Big deal
Ah, good old Russ Wicks. Where is he today?
Good question - does anyone know?
Plz, miss Budweiser was hitting 240+ in mid 1980's
No way. Topping out around 180 to 190 on race course. Anyway to set a straightaway record takes two runs, in opposite directions. Usually need a few miles runup before you hit the traps then slow down time. When the Bud set the kilo record it was going 229 when the rudder fell off
@@dwlopez57 go back and look, she was making runs for the speed record, got a clean run, then flipped going for the second run.
@@denniscashell2407 in 1979 the boat blew over, but I'll guarantee you it easnt going 240 at least for more than a split second
@@dwlopez57 it was mid to late 1980's . definitely not the 70's
@@denniscashell2407 wrong. October 1979. Boat was estimated at 215 to 226 at time of crash. Chenoweth said he saw 220 on speedometer just before accident. Instead of arguing look it up
5 mph more after 30 years so what
It is the record for a propeller driven boat. It really wasn't that great of a boat.
But its not the world water speed record is it ;-)
Nope - it is not!
Certainly isn't.
Big deal top fuel hydros do that in 1/8 mile
Dufus. Thats top speed. This was average speed over 1 mile I direction, then the same mile the other direction. No top fueler would even have enough fuel onboard for one run.