H-1 Limitless drivers’ most important purpose is to win boat races. There are some who’ve made it their purpose to maintain the drivers protected. I need to introduce you to John Walters.
“By the point i used to be 9 years previous,” mentioned John Walters, “it was my purpose to develop up and drive an infinite hydroplane.”
That is precisely what John Walters did — Leaving a legacy within the sport.
“I can say very proudly that i’m the primary man to ever win a race in a turbine-powered hydroplane,” mentioned Walters.
However the place there’s pace, there is a want for security. Walters was the Security and Technical Director for the Tri-Metropolis Water Follies.
Throughout his time behind the wheel, Walters discovered in regards to the risks of the game the laborious method.
“I spent the great a part of 14 months out and in of harbor view [hospital],” mentioned Walters as he went on to clarify the laundry record of accidents.
Regardless of the bodily hurt, he was one of many fortunate ones.
“In all honesty,” admitted Walters, “it was very uncommon a driver survived a extreme accident.”
Again when the boats had open cockpits, the hazards of the game had been laborious to disregard.
“Within the racing world, it’s deemed as black Sunday once we misplaced 3 drivers in at some point.”
Walters was referring to the President’s Cup in 1966. A loss of life within the H-1 Limitless world hasn’t taken place since 2000, due to the leaps and bounds within the security protocols.
Walters can construct them, drive them, and is now taking care of the subsequent era drivers.
“It’s my mission to see what occurred,” mentioned Walters, “what we did incorrect, and what we might do higher to forestall anybody else from going by means of a few of the issues that I did.”
He says whilst you cant forestall crashes, the principles and rules are in place with security in thoughts.
“In order know-how modified,” defined Walters, “because the engineering modified, and as security gear turned extra out there, I can fortunately say we have now made crashes extra survivable.”
So households and spectators can benefit from the pace with out the prevalent risks that after existed again within the early days of Hydroplane Racing. Walters — as soon as on the forefront of racing is now one of many driving forces behind the security of the game.
The H-1 Limitless circuit completed up its 2021 calendar in San Diego on September 17-19.
