God bless and welcome my friend and mentor, ken warby!

[Instigator]

https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/val...-over-40-years

[LakeFever]

Rip to a legend. Courage of that kind is truly rare

[racer]

May he RIP. I got to spend time with Ken multiple times the first being the LA boat show when his boat was on display.

[rock]

One of a kind and a true legend. RIP.

Rock

[Instigator]

A post I did on another site.

My Ken story, and one that I love.

Sorry, it’s long but is pure Ken!

20 yrs ago I was putting on an OB only, go fast rally when I learned the hosting town gave grants to events that put heads in beds (hotels) and I had a buddy in that town.

I had to put together a request/application for the Tourism board meeting to vote on at their next meeting.

I already knew Ken (from his pulling his boat to our first rally and handing out Fosters beer and telling stories!) and he had committed to the 2nd rally at its new location, an hr from his house.

I next day aired our app package to the board the day before their meeting, assuring that info would be fresh on their minds, day of meeting.

Included in that packet was info about Ken and his record and that he would be in attendance at our rally.

My local bud called me that day before to say they had never allowed an applicant at the meeting but asked if I could attend!
3 1/2 hr drive but I of course said, sure.

My buddy said the articles about Ken really had their attention.

I said, Ill be there, I have a plan and I’ll see you in the morning.

Hung up with him and called Ken!

W/less than 24 hrs notice, Ken agreed to go w/me to that meeting!

I was/am in sales and still learned a ton from the guy!

Ken had a huge, 4 door one ton dually truck sitting in his driveway that he towed his boat with.

I was driving a 40 mpg car and told Ken to hop in.
He said, no, Ill drive, pointing to the truck.

Told him, my car gets 40 mpg, I’ll drive.

Ken, in his thick Aussie accent says, no Gator, Ill drive.
(He knew me as Instigator on another boating site and ALWAYS called me Gator)
He then repeats himself while pointing to the graphics on the cap of his truck which, in huge print says, “KEN WARBY, WORLDS FASTEST MAN ON WATER, AT 317 MPH”!
Lesson #1!

In the truck I said we were early and I’d buy him breakfast if he wanted to stop somewhere.

He declined and said he wanted to get there early.

We did.

This was a tiny town in Kentucky w/a tiny office that was their “tourism board”.
Ken parked his huge fkg truck right in front of their door!
The tourism board had to walk around his truck to get to their meeting!
Lesson #2!

The board asked me to bring more info on Ken Warby.
I brought Ken Warby!

I met Ken when he was in a good place in his life.
Health wise, financially etc.
I knew it and knew how lucky I was.
He was having a blast!

He was probably 70 at the time and as the OP wrote he was a bad ass!
I wouldn’t have screwed with him.

Truly larger than life!

He volunteered for and worked the booths at our boat shows promoting our rally!

He hosted my friends and I for our first meeting, in the bar under his house!
He had a display of all the newspaper articles reporting his record, from all over the world!
They covered the entire bar!

Probably 50% in a foreign language!

God bless you my friend.
You have taught me much.

I love you and will miss you forever!

[MODVP22]

God speed, THEE fastest man on water

[northoftheborder]

What a great story Instigator.

Thank you for sharing.

[altamate]

Great story about a true legend, RIP

[Baker343]

Sounds like a grateful man who shared stories and beers with friends. Thoughts and prayers to his loved ones.

[Forkin' Crazy]

[Instigator]

Ken used to really enjoy towing his new boat around to show it off and tell stories.
And he was a talented story teller!

For fun, he put a lifelike, mannican, in full jet fighter outfit including helmet (like Ken wore) in the boat, at the wheel.
It looked real!

Said it was a hoot seeing the kids faces when passing him on the road!

[89LASER]

You were truly blessed meeting him. My condolences to you and his family.

[hellbents-10]

RIP to a true legend!

[Dave Strong]

RIP Ken

Dave

[powerabout]

RIP Ken
I remember as a teenager watching his speed attempts on tv.
Couldnt get it to where he wanted it so they worked out they needed to shorten the rudder.
Got the gas axe out and cut a few inches off, cleaning it up with the angle grinder and out they went again....