‘Fastest man on water’ dies aged 83

Australian powerboating nice and world file holder Ken Warby has died aged 83 after a current well being decline.

Warby is most famous for being the “fastest man on water” after he designed and constructed his boat Spirit of Australia in his yard, and set the world pace file of 463km/h on Blowering Dam in southern NSW, in 1977.

He returned the following 12 months to set one other file, reaching 511km/h.

That 1978 effort continues to be the Unlimited World Water Speed Record as of right this moment.

Warby stays the one particular person to ever design, construct, and drive a ship to a vast water pace file, and was the primary Australian to carry a vast pace file.

He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1978 for his service to powerboating, and was one of many first 200 inductees into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Warby additionally raced in dragsters, vehicles and vehicles on tracks in Australia and the US.

Most not too long ago, he was constructing a brand new boat, Spirit of Australia II, alongside his son David.

“Ken will be greatly missed by his family and Team Warby Motorsport,” a consultant mentioned in an announcement.

“His knowledge and Australian sense of humour can never be replaced.”