During the last four decades, powerboating has witnessed many epic Endurance races and Marathon events.  Offshore endurance has been headlined by the American classics: the ‘Miami–Nassau’, and the ‘Bahamas 500’; and European challenges such as the ‘Cowes–Torquay-Cowes’ and ‘Viareggio–Bastia–Viareggio’.

Marathon events have included the Round Britain (’69 and ’83) and the London–Monte Carlo ’73, but the economic climate halted any further races until the Italians started the ‘Venice–Monte Carlo’ in ‘90.

This was well supported in the early years, but the high costs associated with a long multi leg endurance challenge slowly reduced the number of competitors.

The scene was set for Fabio Buzzi to take up the challenge with a Venice–Monte Carlo NON STOP event.

A boat was needed to cope with all problems: the variety of sea conditions, the effects of sustained high speeds on the hull, the stress on machinery, the huge weight and size of fuel tanks, the fatigue of crew (especially at night or off watch), the reliability of navigation and technical equipment. If successful the record would be recognised by the U.I.M. (Union Internationale Motonautique), and the boat would be eligible to challenge other existing records and set new ones…and so FB 80’ RECORD! was born.