The Champs: In memory of Donald Campbell, Aussie takes water speed record

Warby had nerves of steel! 

Australian Ken Warby, became the fastest on water after he cracked a new official record of 464.46 kph (288.6 mph)  at Blowering Dam, Tumut, in 1977. He had another go at his own world-shattering record at Blowering Dam 1978.

Forty five  years later, his time on the clock of 511.11kph (317.6mph) still stands.

Warby was born and educated in Newcastle, NSW, and he “shot to fame after he first broke the water speedboat record” said an obituary.

“He had a wonderful and charmed life,” said a long-time friend.

He just had nerves of steel; he was just focused.
 

With his winning boat in the background, Warby throws a protecting arm around his trophy.
 

He interest in sport began a teenager. He became captivated with Englishman Donald Campbell (see full story below).

Back to the Warbys. Speed also run deep runs in the family. Over the past decade his son David, was behind the boat Spirit of Australia 2.  He is attempting to break Warby's world record with improvements to hull design and safety.

Ken Warby died on February 21, 2023. He was 83.

<< Frank Morris. Taken from radio and news reports on the day he died.

Main: The finish line is coming up and Ken Warby is now champion of the world!
 

World Environment Day 5 June 2023         

Every action matters! What can we do to restore our planet? VERDICT: It’s been over 60 years since the “plastic bag controversy” hit us hard. I know. I was part of the brigade of reporters who wrote the stories that lead to the sombre warnings. We inherited the plastic bag problem for 60 years, and the job is ONLY half done. What will be the eventual outcome?

The Champs: Donald Campbell set world records for speedboats 

Main: Donald Campbell’s is seconds away from crashing and killing himself in Bluebird 2.
 

He is preparing at the starting line for the big event. Little did know what was in store.
 

Donald Campbell would have had 8 world speed records to his credit had he not crashed. He was the one who said, “ You never know, this time could be the last.”

World water speed record holder, Donald Campbell (above), and his jet-propelled speedboat Bluebird, will attempt to raise his world record of 225.63 mph to a gut-stopping 250 mph in July or August 1957.

Campbell has chosen Lake Canandaigua in New York State.

To achieve this remarkable feat, Campbell will have depend on two factors: the exactness of the meteorologist’s reports and a tranquil lake.

In 1950, Donald Campbell’s father, Sir  Malcolm Campbell, held the water speed record, but this later was wrested from England by Stanley Sayers of Nevada, USA, whose speed skiff, Slo-Mo-Shun, recorded the fantastic speed of 178.5 mph.

Half a decade sped by when Campbell Jr stepped into the picture. He snatched away the coveted title by conquering the speed to 216.2, thus make it somewhat difficult for the opponent.
 

Bill Smith standing beside the mangled Bluebird 2 after it had been dormant since 1964. 
 

This event was held on Lake Mead, Nevada, USA.

Not being satisfied with his newly established record breaking feat, he journeyed back to England and erected headquarters at Lake Coniston, situated prominently on the Scottish border.

On the first run, the jet-propelled Bluebird 2 thundered into the straight to consummate the speed of 286 mph.

But on his return run, the craft was severely buffeted in the unsettled wash from the previous run, setting a speed of 164 mph; revealing an average speed of 225.63, thus overpowering the treacherous “water barrier.”

Campbell’s racing pit was staffed by men who had a superb knowledge and understanding of this aquatic sport; all supplying valuable information which has accompanied Campbell throughout his series of record attempts.

(Donald Campbell was killed instantly when Bluebird 2 crashed in 1964, at Lake Coniston, UK. He was 36. The carcass of Bluebird 2 was irreparably damaged. The boat had rested at the bottom of the lake since 1964. Bill Smith, a few years later, had hauled Bluebird 2 to a surface and restored it like new. When Bluebird 2 was several trial run, more than 1000 people clapped and cheered. The team said Bluebird 2 was destined for a museum.)

<< Frank Morris and credit to Sports Pars, 1957, St George Call newspaper.

The Champs: Jockey Billy Cook “blazed a trail”

Main: Billy Cook blazed many a trail.
 

One of Australia’s most respected and popular jockeys, Bill Cook, “blazed the trail” for many other of the nation’s leading hoops that were to ride in England.

In his colourful and illustrious career Cook won two Melbourne Cups – Shipton in 1941 and Rainbird in 1945 – and a Caulfield Cup in 1930 on Amounis. He also booted home winner in a score of  other major classics, including 4 Derbies, 2 Sydney Cups and 3 Metropolitans.

Cook, or “Cookie” as he was affectionately called by the racing public, made a habit of rewriting the record books.

He was the first jockey to ride 100 winners in a Sydney season.

In 1939-40, he created a long-standing record on 123 winners and 3 dead-heats. And, in 1951, rode five successive winners at a Randwick meeting. It is  a little wonder that punters tagged him “The Champ.”
 

Billy Cook won two Melbourne Cups, the first was on the three-year-old Skipton in 1941.
 

In 1949, he arrived in England unannounced and with very few prospects. He was an immediate sensation.

In only two month ago, Cook landed 43 winners, finishing in second place behind Sir Gordon

Richards in the jockeys premiership. And for this effort, he gained several riding commissions from the from the late King George VI.

Cook was a magnificent hand-and-heels rider and had an uncanny judge of pace.
His son, Peter, was a leading apprentice. By 1960, he was one of the top-ranking jockeys riding in Australia. 

<< Frank Morris used material from the Hall of Champions, Sport House, Sydney. 
 

Ken Warby, record breaker