Regaining the World Water Speed Record for Britain

Technology, history and human endeavour meet in the Quicksilver project – the determined bid that’s under way to regain the World Water Speed Record for Britain. It is 48 years since Britain last held this prestigious international prize, and the laurels won for the nation by Donald Campbell and our previous record-breaking legends are wearing decidedly thin!

Intent on reversing the slump in our water-speed fortunes, dozens of British engineering companies have rallied behind the Quicksilver quest, and this collaboration is enabling considerable progress to be made with the design and construction of the 350-mph, turbofan-powered superboat upon which British hopes rest. The world record stands at 317.60mph, to long-time holder Australia.

The challenge of travelling on water at such breathtaking speed places an exceptional weight of demands upon the Quicksilver team. Its founder and leader – Nigel Macknight – will be presenting for us a dynamic multi-media update on the project’s progress. There will also be dramatic footage of previous water-speed attempts, illustrating the high points and low points of 100 years of water-speed history.