World speed attempt today
By
FRANK DUGGAN
Peter Knight, the 55-year-old Christchurch grandfather who this morning at lake Ruataniwha will attempt to become the fastest man in the world in a propeller-driven boat, never has time to fear for his life as he reaches speeds of up to 300 km/h (180 m.p.h.). “It’s only after you get out of the boat and think about what you have done that puts doubt through your mind,” said Knight yesterday as he prepared for his second attempt on
the American Kent McPhail’s world record of 170.024 m.p.h. set just outside Seattle in 1979. Knight made his first attempt on the record at Lake Ruataniwha on October 12 and after an encouraging first run averaging 166.939 m.p.h. had to retire halfway through the second run when The Boss . struck a submerged object. Now The Boss has a new motor, a 460 Chevrolet, capable of 12,000 revolutions a minute. However, Knight has settled for a lower ratio in today’s attempt.
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Press, 7 December 1985, Page 80
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165World speed attempt today Press, 7 December 1985, Page 80
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