Nigel Macknight
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Nigel Macknight, the initiator of the Quicksilver World Water Speed Record Challenge, is the craft's driver and will be at the controls for all of the trial/development runs, and also for the record bid itself. Originally guided by his mentor, Ken Norris, Nigel followed the same path Norris mapped out for Richard Noble in his preparations to drive Thrust 2 to a new World Land Speed Record in 1981.
Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, Nigel became a professional writer at the age of 21. Tellingly, his first article to appear in print was an account of the record-breaking exploits of Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell with their legendary Bluebird cars and boats.
Nigel began his career writing for popular children's magazines such as Look & Learn and the legendary Eagle comic. He developed a niche writing about technical subjects in a style that was entertaining and accessible to the wider public. He also interviewed many stars of film, TV and sport for children's magazines - dozens of famous personalities ranging from movie actor Jeff Bridges to international motorcycle racing champion Barry Sheene.
Nigel's career expanded into a broader role in magazine and book production, and then publishing. In 1984, he wrote and published what became the definitive book on NASA's Space Shuttle. This was a best-seller, with international sales exceeding 50,000 copies. From this sprang Spaceflight News, a popular monthly magazine Macknight founded in 1985, and edited and published until 1991.
Spaceflight News enabled Nigel to gain wider management and marketing skills, as a large team of correspondents and production personnel were involved, and a range of spin-off products were developed under the SFN brand.
Nigel has written over 250 magazine articles and ten books, the subjects of which have ranged from cruise missiles to Formula 1 racing cars. He has also worked in television, on both sides of the camera, and is an accomplished public speaker.
Not content with an observer's role, he involved himself in many of his subjects, competing in kart racing and Formula Ford motor racing for seven years. He wrote memorable accounts of high-performance flights he undertook with some of the world's top pilots, including NASA test pilot Ed Schneider and British Aerobatic Champion Iain Weston, who was at that time leading the Rothmans aerobatic team. Another article described flights with the RAF's Red Arrows formation display team, including a full display rehearsal in the lead aircraft flown by Squadron Leader John Blackwell.
With his well-developed communication skills, Nigel offers unique insights into life at the sharp end of a World Water Speed Record bid.