Whether it’s on asphalt, sand, mud or water, we’re fans of any manner in which gearheads go straight and go fast, and while we’re mostly about contemporary land-based drag racing here, there are few things on earth more thrilling to watch than drag boats. So when the guys at Kahn Media shot us over this new video they put together featuring the world record-holding Problem Child” Top Fuel Hydroplane, we were all about it.

For those unfamiliar with this form of drag racing, and Top Fuel Hydros in specific, these incredible machines sport the very same 8,000 horsepower, supercharged, nitro-burning, 500 cubic inch Hemi engines as a Top Fuel Dragster or Funny Car. In fact, the Problem Child team has an association with the Kalitta Motorsports NHRA team, which certainly pays dividends with the close crossover in parts and technology. The “Problem Child” boat, owned by “Fast” Eddie Knox, is the reigning Lucas Oil Drag Boat Series Top Fuel world champion and holds the 15 quickest 1,000-foot elapsed times in history, including the current 3.396, 258.26 mph national records. The boat has been quicker yet, however, having recorded a 3.36 last season and a speed of over 260 mph. On water, folks.

The video seen here depicts the “Problem Child” team and its fearless pilot (or passenger, perhaps) Darryl Ehrlich as they competed at the recent Lake Irvine Classic in Irvine, Calif. as the team marched to another event crown, this time clicking off a 3.42 at 253 mph on the choppy lake surface. Watch as the peaceful tranquility of the national anthem being sung turns to all of hells fury as Ehrlich takes his hands loose from the holding rope, pulls the canopy shut, and lets the monster eat!