- The previous 2024 record reached 152 km per hour on another carrier.
- The goal in Civitavecchia was 160 km per hour to avoid a ski jump crash.
- Wet deck raised safety concerns before the attempt.
Along the stunning Mediterranean coast of Italy, driver Fabio Barone made headlines by setting a remarkable record for the fastest car on a boat. Racing across the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, Barone accomplished something that had never been done before, reports Marine Insight.
Previous Record in 2024
Back in 2024, Barone had already made waves by setting a record with the Italian Timekeepers Federation on another aircraft carrier in southern Italy, where he hit an impressive speed of 152 km per hour. This time, in Civitavecchia, he was determined to push the envelope even further, aiming for at least 160 km per hour before needing to brake to avoid flying off the deck’s ski jump and crashing into a nearby cruise ship.
Concerns Over Wet Deck
Race Engineer Alessandro Tedino expressed some concerns about whether the new record was within reach. After the naval vessel had spent the night at sea, the crew discovered that the flight deck was still wet in the morning. They scrambled to dry it off, aided by the sunny weather. Tedino noted that if the deck had stayed wet, achieving maximum speed and braking would have been impossible and extremely dangerous.
Spectacle for the Crowd
The event was nothing short of thrilling for the spectators. As the iconic ‘Top Gun’ theme song played across the deck, Barone’s team was brought up on the ship’s portside elevator, where they were welcomed by naval officials, VIPs, and journalists. Children with Down Syndrome, honoured as the day’s mechanics, had the special task of unveiling Barone’s Ferrari SF90 by pulling off its cover. Barone then took the car for a spin around the deck to warm up the engine before positioning it at the end of the 236-meter flight deck.
Achieving the Record
Once the signal was given, Barone took off down the deck, zooming past the crowd and coming to a stop in mere seconds. The audience erupted in cheers, though many were left wondering if the record had truly been broken. The official timekeeper quickly confirmed that Barone had reached a staggering 164 km per hour, officially marking it as a new speed record on a ship. Barone celebrated by raising his arms in triumph, embracing his team, and sharing the moment with the media.
A Pianist’s Concentration
Reflecting on his achievement, Barone said that concentration was crucial. He explained that he used his body in sync like a pianist to accomplish the feat. His team now plans to submit the certified result to the Guinness World Records.
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Source: Marine Insight
