Eight time Italian World Formula I Champion Guido Cappellini has set a new speed record for Formula 1 by powering his Mercury powered Dac catamaran to 158.1mph (256,25kph) in two combined runs on Lake D'Iseo in northern Italy
Eight time Italian World Formula I Champion Guido Cappellini has set a new speed record for Formula 1 by powering his Mercury powered Dac catamaran to 158.1mph (256,25kph) in two combined runs on Lake D’Iseo in northern Italy.
The native of nearby Como, broke the all-time mark set by Great Britain’s Allan Marshall of 145.90mph (234.80kph) in 2002 which stood for almost three years. Cappellini, who with the cooperation of his main sponsor Tamoil put together a pair of runs through the 1 kilometer course on the north side of the lake under idyllic weather conditions.
With the guidance and officials of the Italian Motor boating Federation, Guido made two official runs. The first timed out at just over 160mph (258kph) while his return run toward the western end of the lake was slightly slower at 157mph (253kph). However the combined performance was sufficient to set a new official world record.
“The opportunity that Tamoil has given me for this record breaking attempt is very important in my career”, stated Guido Cappellini. “They put in a great effort off the water with the receptions and the public relations work necessary to get the word out to the world press. I hope I’ve repaid this by setting the new speed record which gets my team back on the winning road to success in the 2005 world Formula I championship. All in all, I am very pleased with the result.”
The Tamoil Team now heads for the opening round of the Formula I series, the Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao, over the weekend of May 21 and 22.
Like Windermere, Lake D’Iseo, on which Guido set the new world record normally has a strict speed limit of 12mph (20kph) at all times!
