Buy this book!

The Water Speed Record By Kevin Desmond (Batsford, 1976) having been long out of print, a little book by Fred Harris, edited by Mike Rimmer, is a useful stand-in. It outlines very well, with fine pictures and drawings, the boats used by all the WSR contestants between 1928 and 1978, when the record went from 92.83 to 317.60mph.

Harris reminds us that while 60 drivers have risked their lives for the Land Speed Record and six have been killed, 14 have tried for the WSR and seven have died. These brave attempts are well remembered in this book; Lake Windermere, Loch Lomond, Coniston Water, Loch Ness and Ullswater figure.

Before Donald Campbell set out on that fatal last attempt and the media men had been complaining of delays, Motor Sport reminded them that, in the end, it was Campbell who had to risk his life.

A capital book, fora mere £4 post-free, from F C Harris, 132 Linaker St, Southport, Merseyside PR8 5DF