Latest news with #hydroplane
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Donald Campbell's Bluebird returns to Ullswater 70 years on
The return of Donald Campbell's Bluebird to the spot where the adventurer set his first water speed world record 70 years ago is "humbling", his daughter clocked 202.32mph (325.6km/h) aboard the hydroplane at Ullswater, in the Lake District, in 1955 and the craft has been on show near Glenridding Pier for the day to mark the Campbell said her father had shown resilience to set the record at a time when many experts believed a boat could not reach such a speed without breaking died in 1967 when Bluebird somersaulted on Coniston Water, also in the Lake District, as he attempted to push one of his subsequent records past 300mph (480km/h). Reflecting on the record's anniversary, Ms Campbell said: "It's really humbling after all these years [to see the interest in] what my father achieved, and to see that he still has a such a huge following."I have to pinch myself each time and say what a legacy he has left for me, my family and our nation."Looking at doing 200mph on water 70 years ago, it almost seems inconceivable."For him to have gone on and broken further records, I always say he must have had a heart of absolute steel."Donald Campbell's Bluebird: The battle back to ConistonTracy Hodgson, director of Coniston's Ruskin Museum which normally houses Bluebird in a dedicated wing, said the event was an opportunity to see a "very special piece of British high-speed motoring history".She added: "Ullswater will always be a special place in the Campbell story, and we are honoured to be able to display Bluebird K7 at Glenridding Pier close to where she was first launched 70 years ago."The event was held in partnership with Ullswater Steamers, which provides cruises on the anniversary commentary was used on selected sailings, giving people the opportunity to see two buoys marking out the measured mile used to set the Ruskin Museum is aiming to run Bluebird again on Coniston Water at some point next year when it will be piloted by Australian Dave Warby, son of the late-water speed world-record holder Ken craft's wreckage was recovered from Coniston Water in 2001 and rebuilt by a team of engineers on was handed over to the Ruskin Museum last year following the resolution of a years-long ownership row with the man who led its restoration. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Carvana Supports Jimmie Johnson's Childhood Dream at Seattle's Seafair Festival
Seven-time NASCAR Champion to Pilot Legendary "Blue Blaster" Hydroplane in Special Exhibition on Aug. 1 SEATTLE, July 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, is proud to support seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson as he takes on a new kind of ride: piloting the historic Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" hydroplane in a special exhibition at Seattle's Seafair Festival on Aug. 1. Johnson's upcoming exhibition is more than four decades in the making. In 1979, 4-year-old Jimmie was celebrating his birthday at the hydroplane races in San Diego with his dad when his favorite boat, the Blue Blaster, broke down near the shore. The boat's driver, hydroplane racing legend Bill Muncey, welcomed fans toward the vessel, and Johnson's father carried him into the water to sit on its deck. A photo from that day, rediscovered years later, captured the moment without anyone realizing its future significance. Now, 46 years later, Johnson will return to that same boat, but this time in the driver's seat. With coaching from 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer and support from the Muncey family, Johnson will pilot the fully restored hydroplane across Lake Washington in a one-time exhibition that honors the boat's legacy and a personal memory for Johnson. At nearly 30 feet long and 5,600 pounds, the Blue Blaster remains one of the most iconic boats in hydroplane racing history. "We're excited to support this one-of-a-kind exhibition that fulfills a boyhood dream for Jimmie and shares the joy, excitement, and nostalgia of seeing the Blue Blaster hydroplane in action with the Seattle community," said Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton. "Our partnership has always been about taking on new challenges and showing up for a community of passionate fans, and this exhibition reflects the kind of spirit Carvana is excited to be part of." Carvana, which has proudly served Seattle car buyers and sellers since 2021, will be on site at Seafair to connect with fans and the broader community. Attendees who sign up for Carvana's free Value Tracker tool will receive a branded seat cushion. The Carvana Value Tracker allows customers to monitor their car's value over time, helping them make informed decisions about when to sell or trade in. For behind-the-scenes content and highlights from the day, follow Carvana Racing on Instagram and X. About Carvana Carvana's mission is to change the way people buy and sell cars. Since launching in 2013, Carvana has revolutionized automotive retail and delighted millions of customers with an offering that is fun, fast, and fair. With Carvana, customers can find a car, get financing, trade in, and complete a purchase entirely online with the convenience of delivery or local pickup as soon as the same day. Carvana's unique offering is powered by its passionate team, differentiated national infrastructure, and purpose-built technology. For more information, please visit About LEGACY MOTOR CLUB LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series with the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, "The King", serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition. To keep up-to-date with the latest news, information, and exclusive content, follow LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ on Facebook, X, Instagram and at View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: Carvana Communicationspress@
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
17th annual hydroplane race in Brockville, Ont. faces wind delay
Hydroplane boats racing on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ont. June 28, 2025. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa). The 1000 Islands Regatta is taking place in Brockville, Ont. this weekend, marking the 17th annual hydroplane race on the St. Lawrence River. Described as Formula 1 racing on the water, teams travel from all over North America to each location. But the reality of a sport like hydroplane racing is that conditions need to be favourable, and strong winds Saturday in the city of 1000 islands have forced a delay in the festivities. Hydroplane boats Hydroplane boats racing on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ont. June 28, 2025. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa). Hydroplane boat Hydroplane boats racing on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ont. June 28, 2025. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa). Hydroplane boat Hydroplane boats racing on the St. Lawrence River in Brockville, Ont. June 28, 2025. (Jack Richardson/CTV News Ottawa). More details to com
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Auction of a Lifetime to See Jimmie Johnson Drive the Blue Blaster Hydroplane
Got to hand it to the folks at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America for coming up with unique auctions to help support the Hall of Fame and its mission of honoring racing greats. The latest such auction to raise funds for the Hall of Fame is a hydroplane experience featuring, get this, one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time, Jimmie Johnson. The highest bidder in a current no-reserve charity auction over at Bring a Trailer (Bring a Trailer and Autoweek are part of the Hearst Autos media group) and a guest will get a prize package that includes: A VIP experience at the 2025 Seattle Seafair unlimited Hydroplane races on Aug. 1. Ticket to an exclusive reception with seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 11-time APBA Gold Cup champion Chip Hanauer. Opportunity to watch Johnson pilot Bill Muncey's Atlas Van Lines "Blue Blaster" hydroplane at speed on Lake Washington. The Jimmie Johnson/Chip Hanauer/Blue Blaster hydroplane experience is offered by the Daytona, Florida-based Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (MSHFA) with the help of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum in Kent, Washington. The entire winning bid, including the Bring a Trailer buyer's fee, will be donated to the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. Click HERE to bid on this experience. Bidding ends on Tuesday, July 1 at 2:36 p.m. There's more to Johnson's trek to be part of the hydroplane show and a chance to run the Blue Blaster than meets eye. It's more a twist of fate, as Johnson has a history with the hydroplane that goes back four decades. As a youngster from El Cajon, Calif., Johnson would watch the hydroplanes with his dad, Gary, from the beach on Fiesta Island, near San Diego. In 1979, the Blue Blaster was one of the stars of the show, but this time the boat broke down in the race and drifted near the beach. Fans, including Jimmie and his dad, waded out to the boat, and Jimmie's dad got permission through a nod from team owner and Southern California native Bill Muncey to sit the young lad on the boat. Somewhat miraculously, years later, a photo resurfaced from that day, and Johnson's mom confirmed to the Hydroplane Museum that the youngster sporting a yellow hat on the deck of the boat was her son. Fast forward to Johnson's 2024 induction into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. There, the Muncey family and Hanauer shared the story of the little boy on the deck of the Blue Blaster and invited Johnson on behalf of the Hydroplane Museum to drive the now-restored and speed-ready hydroplane. On August 1, you and a guest could get a front-row seat for the next chapter in the saga of Jimmie Johnson and the Blue Blaster.
