Last updated 09:38, Tuesday, 25 November 2008

A LAKES woman has smashed British and world water speed records on Coniston Water.

MAKING A SPLASH: Helen Loney in action during her record-breaking sessions on Coniston Water submitted picture

Helen Loney, 27, hit an average speed of 125.8mph in her Formula One race boat Crescendo during Coniston Records Week.

It beat the previous speed of 115.1mph.

The following day, she set a new electric outright water speed world record.

She clocked a speed of 76.8mph driving Firefly, her electric three-point hydroplane, on Coniston Water.

But she is not resting on her laurels.

The Electric Record Team driver is now aiming to break the 100mph barrier in the near future.

The delighted record holder said: “There is a lot more speed left in the boat.

“We just need to make a few alterations to the rigging and we hope to run again in the New Year.”

She has been a member of Windermere Motor Racing Club for more than six years.

She has also competed at events on Barrow Docks.

She says she bought the Formula One race boat, Crescendo, so she could practice driving at speeds in excess of 100mph in training to drive the prototype electric boat.

The team is sponsored by Agni Motors, PDS Engineering, Capita Symonds Ltd, DHM, Exide Technologies, West Systems, Lunar, South Cumbria Construction Ltd and Cherry Concepts.

Coniston is the spiritual home of record-breaking, thanks to famous drivers such as the late Sir Malcolm Campbell and son Donald Campbell.