What could be more fitting a tribute to a champion speedboat racer than a memorial on the very spot he broke racing records?

George Sawyer was a hydroplane racer from Laindon who smashed the record on Lake Windermere, racing 103.87 miles per hour, in 1986, aged 58 – and he joined the illustrious K7 club.

Echo: Hydroplane racing legend - George SawyerHydroplane racing legend - George Sawyer (Image: Ken Porter's book Basildon Famous People)

His nephew Mark Remmington and family headed to the iconic lake in the Lake District National Park to spread the ashes of his late uncle and aunt Nina.

They carried out the service of spreading the ashes on August 11 at 10.30am. 

Mark arranged with the K7 club and Lake Windermere Motor Boat Club to visit the spot earlier this month.

“Originally, we thought that we would only be allowed to pour the ashes into the lake from the bank. We actually were able to put both their ashes into the lake at the green permanent marker buoy,” explained Mark.

“This was the marker for the start finish line for all world record attempts when Windermere was the venue for the powerboat and hydroplane world record week. This is where my uncle set his two world records. It is a very fitting final resting place.”

Echo: Iconic spot - where George raced at 103.87 miles per hour, in 1986, aged 58 – and he joined the illustrious K7 club.Iconic spot - where George raced at 103.87 miles per hour, in 1986, aged 58 – and he joined the illustrious K7 club. (Image: Mark Remmington)

The family were invited to stay at the Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club.

Mark said: “I was amazed to see my uncle's name on the prestigious K7 honours board inside the inner sanctum of the racing club. Alongside other members. I never realised just how special his achievements were until I saw his name up on the roll of honours, with such greats.

“My uncle achieved his world records as a private entrant, self funded as just a normal small business owner. He travelled in his camper van towing his boat and toolbox! He just wanted to go fast!!”

Joshua, George's great great uncle, is a carpenter following in the family tradition of wood working, engineering and construction. He was nominated to actually pour the ashes onto the water.

Echo: Maria Higgins, Mark's eldest daughter and her husband Mike Higgins. John Stevens, Carol Stevens, close friends of George and Nina, Mark at the back and Joshua Higgins Mark's grandsonMaria Higgins, Mark's eldest daughter and her husband Mike Higgins. John Stevens, Carol Stevens, close friends of George and Nina, Mark at the back and Joshua Higgins Mark's grandson (Image: Newsquest staff)

George, who later lived in Welbeck Drive , Langdon Hills, got into hydroplane racing in his forties, discovering a joint passion for him and his wife Nina.

Echo: Tribute - Joshua, Samuel and Elliot Higgins, Mark's grandsons, to the rear, Chris Loney, chairman of the Circuit Powerboat Association, John Stevens ex F1 Powerboat Racer, Andy “Yorkie” Stockdale, a mechanic for George in his racing days and MarkTribute - Joshua, Samuel and Elliot Higgins, Mark's grandsons, to the rear, Chris Loney, chairman of the Circuit Powerboat Association, John Stevens ex F1 Powerboat Racer, Andy “Yorkie” Stockdale, a mechanic for George in his racing days and Mark (Image: Mark Remmington)

George’s life story has been documented within Ken Porter’s book Basildon Famous People.

He was also a member of the Motorboat Museum at the Green Centre at Wat Tyler Park where he contributed hydroplanes to the collection.

George sadly passed away on September 29, 2022, aged 94, George passed away, leaving a legacy of a life well lived rippling behind him like the waves made by his beloved hydroplanes.