|  | HSV Maloo R8 Ute in Mobil 1 Drive Around Australia
- 36,000k Drive,
Guinness World Record and Bathurst
28 July 2006
The Guinness World Record holding Maloo R8 Ute is now on the third leg of a
36,000 kilometre, five month Drive Around Australia, mapped out by Mobil Oil
Australia to demonstrate the unique qualities of the company’s Mobil 1
synthetic engine oil.
The drive is being undertaken without
once changing the engine oil and, further helping make the drive a real
Australian automotive milestone, the Mobil 1 Ute has also earned a Guinness
World Record as the world’s fastest production ute.
At
the Woomera test facility at the end of June, Guinness World Records confirmed
that the HSV Maloo Z Series R8, driven by Holden Racing Team’s Mark Skaife,
had topped the world land speed record for a ute, formerly held by a Dodge Ram
SRT 10 for the US.
The Woomera test area was chosen for the
world record run. Not only is it an iconic location but it offered an
appropriate safe, private and secure setting for the record attempt to be
conducted under controlled conditions.
Although a significant
highlight, the world record run is just one component in a drive structured to
demonstrate the full range of Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil qualities.
Mobil Oil Australia and its event partners HSV and Repco created the Drive
Around Australia to incorporate a wide range of conditions, including
mountain, desert and stop-go peak hour traffic. Such environments reflect the
real world conditions many motorists face on a daily basis.
Mobil chose to build the world record into the early stages of the drive to
hammer home the message that Mobil 1 provides outstanding performance under
extreme conditions and can therefore be counted on to protect engines under
the much more moderate conditions faced by motorists in their everyday driving.
To demonstrate the unique qualities of Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil, the
Maloo’s engine was sealed by the RACV at the start of the drive on May 12 and
State auto clubs have been on hand during the drive to check and verify that
the engine seals are intact. At the conclusion of the drive, at Bathurst in
October, the Maloo’s mighty six litre LS2 engine will be evaluated for
condition.
“The drive is little more than half way
complete and has already taken in Northern, Central, West and North West
Australia. It has been quite an adventure and embraced many individuals along
the way,” said Mobil Oil’s Peter Westcott.
"It
was always intended that the drive would include stop-overs at HSV and Repco
outlets so that Mobil could conduct valued training programs for vehicle
technicians in isolated areas. The response from the technicians has been
terrific; they really welcomed these special visits, often incorporating a
barbeque with all of the families and kids”, he said.
The Drive Around Australia is inspired by the recent sixteen months Drive
Around the World, which was also supported by Mobil 1.
“We
are lucky, in Australia, to have such a big country that makes it possible to
put on an event few other countries could deliver,” said Peter Westcott. “We
are also fortunate that a driver of such legendary status as Bob Watson was
available to take this drive on. It’s not the first time he has driven around
Australia and I dare say it won’t be his last.
“Expeditions like this have a great history in Australia, going way back to
the Redex Trials and Gelignite Jack in the fifties. In most cases the roads
have improved significantly but there are still many places that put a car
under pressure.
“The concept of not changing the oil over a
long period of normal, sensible driving, which all motorists can relate to,
had obvious appeal, but we really wanted to prove a point about the quality of
Mobil 1 oil. That’s why we built the world record and Bathurst elements into
the drive. It’s got excitement, challenge and fun all rolled into one.
“Our customers relate to challenges like this and we think the drive captures
the spirit of ‘giving it a go’ that is so Australian. Mobil 1 oil has a great
reputation in the market but it is important to reinforce that in ways that
strike a chord with our customers,” he said.
“We’re
very proud to have Holden Special Vehicles and Repco as our partners in this
event. Look out for the Mobil 1 Maloo as it makes appearances at selected HSV
and Holden dealers and Repco stores. The Maloo’s special livery makes it hard
to miss.” Mr Westcott concluded.
Media contact:
John Morrison - AMPR, 03 9537 3311 / john@ampr.com.au
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