Boat strikes with lightning speed

The attempt will take place on Lake Coniston

A boat that could claim the UK's first water speed world record in 10 years will be unveiled on Wednesday.

"Lighting Strike!" will aim to reach up to 100 mph, breaking the current 70.597 mph record that was set in 1995 by a US team.

A group of speed record enthusiasts set up the project in Humberside and will make the attempt on Lake Coniston later this year.

Although Team Lightning Strike has secured sponsorship to build the machine, it is appealing for £25,000 to fund the record attempt itself.

It's great to... make the attempt at Coniston because it has such a history of record-breaking

Phil Evans, Team Lightning Strike

The vessel is being shown to the public for the first time at the National Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby.

Phil Evans, of the team, told BBC News Online the four members are "furiously dieting" to be the pilot to steer the boat on its record-breaking course.

Mr Evans said: "Weight is critical for an electric water speed record, as there is not the power available that comes with the jet-powered vessels.

"So there is competition between us, but of course it is all friendly rivalry."

'Realistic record'

"Lightning Strike!" is an electrically-driven hydroplane that has been built by Grimsby boat builders Farrow and Chambers Ltd.

The team are members of the Speed Record Club.

Donald Campbell: an inspiration to the team

Mr Evans, from Grimsby, said each team member has been associated with other speed record bids, such as Richard Noble's Thrust SSC project to beat the supersonic land speed record, in 1997.

"We all met through our work on land speed records, and about 18 months ago said what would be a realistic record to go for," said Mr Evans.

"One of the most important things for all of us was Donald Campbell's record-breaking career, and so we decided to go for a water record.

"It's great to have permission to make the attempt at Coniston because it has such a history of record-breaking attempts."

The other members include Malcolm Pittwood, of Derby, who holds four endurance land speed records.

Paul Hannaford, from Taunton, Somerset, worked on the project to recover Donald Campbell's Bluebird in 2001, and Novie Dzinora, of Staffordshire, has been involved in five UK electric land speed record attempts.