On this day in Yorkshire 1953

A flash of brown sped across Waterloo Lake, Park. Leeds, yesterday morning, filling the sir with a pale blue haze and throwing a sheet of spray over the dozen people standing at the water’s edge.

Mr. George Lenegan. of Eccles, Manchester, was out in his 500 c.c. hydroplane mapping out course for the hydroplane racing which is to be held on the lake on August Bank Holiday.

“It is a good surface and are very happy about it,” he said when he finished.

The course Mr. Lennegan has planned is a triangular one of about two-thirds of a mile, chosen for its long “runs” and to suit the Y-shaped lake. With him in his boat Gee Whiss was Mr. Jimmy Gee. of Farnworth, who will be competing in the national hydroplane championships at Ruislip next weekend.

Both are members of the Lancashire Hydroplane Racing Club, whose members are to give the display next month. About 10 of them will take part, and the programme will include races in which speeds of 50 m.p.h. will be reached.

Hydroplane racing — a sport in which 10-foot plywood boats with powerful outboard motors skim across the surface of the water — has found new followers since the end the war. Mr. Lenegan took it up five years ago after deciding it looked more exciting than motor cycling — a hobby had followed for 35 years.

“At least the landing is easier.” he says. “With these boats you have a spill and all you need is a change of clothing. If you have a spill a motor-bike it is often a very different matter.”

Every member of the Lancashire club owns his own boat, which costs about £lOO, although many make their own for considerably less.

Out of 25 racing members only one is a woman.

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