Jalopnik: World Record

Canadians Start 28,000-Mile Voyage In Veggie-Fueled Van, Attempt World Record

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST

A pair of Canadian environmentalists have embarked on a four-month journey to break the Guinness World Record for "longest journey by a car using alternative fuel" by traveling 45,000 km (27,961 miles) across North America in a Japanese-import Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 van converted to run on waste vegetable oil (WVO/SVO) while doling out green wisdom to school children. The current record is held by an all-German team and their natural gas-powered Volkswagen Caddy, which traveled just 23,697 miles across Europe, but we think the Canadians may just be able to do it. The reasons?

First, they've selected the perfect vehicle. The Mitsubishi Delica is a prime vehicle for such a trip. It's a 4x4 powered by a, we assume, converted 2.5-liter turbodiesel. It sleeps two quasi-comfortably. It looks awesome. As we proved with the algae-powered Vanagon camper, vans are ideal for this kind of work.

Additionally, North America makes a much better place to cruise than Europe. All of those empty miles of open road makes for lots of space to eat asphalt. The proposed route takes them through the Northwest and up through much of Canada before crisscrossing the heartland of the United States and, eventually, making their way through Texas and down into Mexico. Once they make it to Texas we're expecting that they can get enough fuel at the first Whataburger to make it all the way back to Canada. Information on their journey below.

Our Goal

We are working to raise individual awareness of our planet’s current environmental situation and how YOU as an individual control its future.

Face it; the majority of the western civilization population has one role in society: consumer. You (among billions of others) are the driving force for governments and corporations. You "vote" them into power through elections and by purchasing products that determine the market. We are reaching a critical point in time when you as an individual must decide if you are a part of the solution or against it.

Daily, the average consumer is bombarded by environmental issues in the media. One buzz word, "global warming," is repeated countless times, over and over, along with the pressure for you to do something about it. The solution to global warming is then conveniently presented to you in the form of a product. The solution to global warming is not in a product, not within your governments hands, nor is it a developing technology. The solution to global warming and all other connected environmental issues depend on your behaviour. We hope to capture your attention. In turn you will save money, act towards a solution for a healthier planet, and live a healthier mental and physical existence.

How will we possibly reach so many people? A massive public display. We plan on breaking the current world record for "Longest Journey by Car on Alternative Fuel." Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) will power our vehicle across Canada, the US, and possibly Mexico. We will be visiting sustainable initiatives along the way and will then deliver what we know and learn on sustainability through public discussion, lectures in schools, radio and television media broadcasting, newspaper and magazine publications, websites, podcasts, internet broadcasting, video documentary, and possibly a TV series. We are preparing to drive more than forty-five thousand kilometres by car on alternative fuel using WVO to surpass the current world record of 38,137 kilometres.

(Thanks to James for the tip!)

[Source: Driven To Sustain]

Hypermiling Couple Sets World Record With 90 MPG Drive Around Australian Coast

Mark Arnold — Wed, 28 May 2008 09:20:00 EDT

Remember when we drove a European-spec Honda Civic 2.2 i-CTDi on a 100-mile road trip? We did pretty well, averaging 72 MPG. While we were throughly impressed, it was nothing compared to earning two spots in the Guinness Book Of World Records. Helen and John Taylor, a British couple, earned their two spots of fame in the record book of record books while Down Under in their little Peugeot 308 HDi. The first record was for "longest distance on a single tank," set by traveling 1192 miles on just 60 liters of diesel fuel — just 15.8 gallons. The other record, "highest mileage for a journey," was set by completing 9,062 miles at an average of 90.75 MPG. So how did they do it? What magical modifications were made?

Actually, the car was stock. Stock as in standard, from the factory, without any modifications besides the sponsors' stickers. That is, unless you count the extra weight of the couple's luggage as a modification. But that 90 MPG figure is in Imperial gallons. In US gallons, the figure is just 75.6 MPG. Still, it's figures like this that make us scratch our heads and wonder what all the fuss of government-mandated fuel economy standards, panic of rising gas prices, and hybrid hippie hype is all about. If things were really as bad as they're often made out to be, couldn't we all just be driving ~~90 MPG~~ 75 MPG French hatchbacks? Or are those Freedom hatchbacks? Oh, wait — you have to drive under 30 MPH the entire way? Well, screw that noise. Pass me the keys to the Hummer.
[ABG via TreeHugger]

1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Sells For $10,976,000 Setting World Record As Most Expensive Car Ever

Mark Arnold — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:40:00 EDT

How much would you pay for the car of your dreams? Well, the official record for the highest price anyone ever paid for any car anywhere was just recently set when a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT short-wheelbase California got hammered down at auction for €7,040,000. Converted to 'merican dollars, that's about $10,976,000. That is a lot of money, there's no need for us to add any fancy exaggerative adjectives here.

We honestly don't know how to feel. Sure, there's been multiple millions spent on the likes of everything from Bugattis to Cobras before. Just last year there was even some guy that paid $9,300,000 for a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM. But this little California clearly takes to a new level. Sure, we'd probably drop some coin on the car of our dreams if we actually had the means to, but $11-million? Really? We're guessing there's probably been more paid for a vehicle in some shadowy private sale, or that a some robber baron back in the day bought some gold-plated motor carriage for a higher inflation-adjusted price, but this sale is still quite remarkable given today's economy. The other thing that gets us is the winning bidder was some British radio DJ, Chris Evans. There's just something about morning radio guys that makes us— well, we've never heard his jockeying firsthand, so we'll reserve judgment lest we be judged. We'll also dismiss any conspiracy theories that this was all just a massive publicity stunt by Ferrari to stir up public interest for their new California, though it does make you wonder. Oh well, maybe we're just jealous that we don't have multiple millions with which to realize our own fantasies of owning one of James Coburn's cars. (h/t Kyle) [CarScoop]

AMS Mitusbishi Lancer Evolution VIII Makes 1130 HP

Mark Arnold — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:45:00 EDT

AMS claim this is the world's most powerful Evo, and they've got the dyno sheets to back it up. This Mitsubishi monster supposedly makes 1130 HP, and that's not at the flywheel, but at the wheels. And we're told it's "true" power, no nitrous-oxide assistance, just a motor built up big as can be and 51 PSI of boost. With all that power sent to four wheels, this thing just wants to jump right off the chassis dyno. This begs the obvious question — what kind of acceleration should you expect? How about a 1/4-mile run of 8.56-seconds at about 170 MPH. But don't think this was all some crazy JDM tuning. Nope, this car lives in the one and only true land of excessive power — the good ol' US of A.

[AMS Performance via VWvortex]

Guinness Verifies Shelby SuperCars' Production Speed Record

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:45:29 EDT

Sorry Bugatti. The dark-beer company that's been tracking the best, fastest and biggest — ever since the company's managing director, Sir Hugh Beaver first argued over which was the fastest game bird in Europe — Guinness World Records has verified the SSC Ultimate Aero as the "Fastest Production Car." As we reported recently, Driver Chuck Bigelow, 71, took SSC's Ultimate Aero for two passes on highway 221 in Washington state, the first at 257.45 mph, the second at 254.92 mph, for an official record speed of 256.19 mph. That supersedes the Bugatti Veyron's still-unofficial time of 254 mph, as noted by Car and Driver and Top Gear's James May. Will Bugatti respond, or will the time stand until Koenigsegg or McLaren get serious about taking a run at 270 with a new pair of cars? Watch for an arms race on a flat stretch of road near (or not so near) you. [Source: Shelby SuperCars]

Too Many Ferraris Crowd Silverstone, Guinness Notes Record

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:15:00 EDT

With the exception of the current "fastest production vehicle in the world" chase, is there a record Ferrari isn't interested in? The cats from Maranello herded 385 prancing horses onto the track at Silverstone; everything from vintage iron like a 250 GTO up to the latest and most fabulotastic 599 Fiorano. Ferrari estimates it was sixty million quid worth of machinery, while Guinness certified it as the most Ferraris in one parade. Now watch. Ferdnand Piëch is going to buy 400 308s and tour the 'Ring with them. Seriously, just watch. Press release from the Fezzas after the jump. – Davey G. Johnson

FERRARI SETS NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD WITH 385 FERRARI

CARS WORTH £60 MILLION TO CELEBRATE FERRARI'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

Ferrari and the Ferrari Owners Club GB joined forces at Silverstone on Saturday 9 June, 2007, to set an incredible new Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Parade of Ferrari Cars', with an astonishing parade of 385 Ferrari cars, more than triple the previous record. With road and race cars from every decade of the Prancing Horse's proud and unique heritage, Ferrari owners from the UK and all over the world joined together to create an amazing spectacle to celebrate Ferrari's 60th Anniversary and the Ferrari Owners Club GB's 40th Anniversary.

With several rare and extremely valuable cars in the Guinness World Record parade, ranging from a 250 California Spider and a 275 GTB/C through to the ultra-desirable 250GTO and the ultra-exclusive FXX, as well as several examples of Ferrari's iconic supercars, the F40, F50 and Enzo, a conservative estimate of the value of the cars in the parade on Saturday would be in excess of £60 million - a perfect number to mark the company's anniversary year.

Massimo Fedeli, Managing Director of Ferrari GB Ltd, said: "What an amazing sight... We are proud to have the support of so many Ferrari owners today in setting a new Guinness World Record. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Owners Club, our Sponsors and everyone who has been working behind the scenes for months to achieve this fantastic record."

Peter Everingham, Secretary of the Ferrari Owners Club GB, was equally effusive: "I'm so proud to have been asked by Ferrari to help set a new Guinness World Record. What our members achieved here today on the Club's 40th Anniversary is quite remarkable - with over 1000 Ferrari cars from every era here this weekend. We have so many enthusiastic owners, and I want to thank them for their support as we couldn't have achieved this without them. I'm sure this one will take some beating."

In order to comply with the Guinness World Record's rules for such an attempt, the cars must all travel over a minimum 2 mile distance, no more than two car lengths apart, and must be counted at

the beginning and the end of the parade. With a starting grid of Ferrari cars stretching from Becketts all the way to Copse on the Silverstone Circuit, the cars completed one full lap and covered a distance of 3 miles, driving two abreast around the entire circuit.

At the head of the parade was a 599 GTB Fiorano driven by Bruno Senna, nephew of three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna, driving in the Ferrari Challenge as a guest driver this weekend, and a specially-liveried 612 Scaglietti which was driven by PC Paul Atkin who recently joined the Ferrari 60 Relay as it toured around the UK. Behind the lead cars were a fleet of Fiorano Ferrari F430 cars driven by Ferrari GB's VIP guests and sponsors who all had the unique opportunity to participate in setting a new Guinness World Record. Then came the extensive stable of Prancing Horses from the Ferrari Owners Club GB which made up the bulk of the 385 cars on track on Saturday.

After double-checking her count, both at the start and the end of the parade, Nadine Causey, Adjudicator for the Guinness World Record, presented Massimo Fedeli and Peter Everingham with a Certificate to mark the occasion.

Ferrari's 60th Anniversary worldwide celebrations culminate on 23 June when the Ferrari 60 Relay baton, which has been carried around the world by enthusiastic Ferrari owners from every country, arrives in Maranello, Italy, the historical and present home of the Prancing Horse.

More Details On The Possible World Record Ferrari Party At Silverstone

Ray Wert — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:45:00 EDT

We told you last month about Ferrari's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the "Largest Parade of Ferrari Cars" this upcoming weekend at Silverstone, the historic former air base turned racetrack in the UK. We've now received (via press release) the following list of expected Ferrari entries:

* 20+ pre-1973 V12s, including two 250 GT SWB, a 250 GTO and a 275 GTB/C, as well as several Daytonas, 250 GT Lussos and even a 330 GT
* 20+ examples of Ferrari's iconic F40s, F50s and Enzos
* 10+ examples of the beautiful Dino
* 40+ examples of each of Ferrari's mid-engined 355, 360 Modena and F430
* 20+ modern V12s, including several 550 Maranello, 575M and 599 GTB Fioranos, accompanied by several 456 GT and 612 Scaglietti models
* Several other examples of Ferrari's incredibly diverse heritage, including Testarossas, Boxers, Mondials, 308s, 328s, 348s and more

Although we're disappointed we won't be there, it does get us thinking about whether we'd be able to create other Guinness world records for like, the largest number of Caminoizations on a single website. No? Well — we can dream, can't we? But in all seriousness if any enterprising Jalopnik reader across the pond is interested in some citizen ~~indentured servitude~~ journalism and wants to help us out with some reporting, we'd obviously not be unhappy to have some hot pictures and verbiage to drop on the Jalop this weekend. Full press release after the jump. – Ray Wert

Ferrari Racing Days [Silverstone.co.uk]

OVER 300 FERRARI CARS TO TAKE PART IN ATTEMPT TO SET NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD AT FERRARI RACING DAYS, SILVERSTONE
8-9-10 JUNE

Ticket Hotline: 08704 588 320

More than 300 Ferrari cars are anticipated to attend Ferrari's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the "Largest Parade of Ferrari Cars" at Silverstone on Saturday 9 June.

Some of the cars entered include:

* 20+ pre-1973 V12s, including two 250 GT SWB, a 250 GTO and a 275 GTB/C, as well as several Daytonas, 250 GT Lussos and even a 330 GT
* 20+ examples of Ferrari's iconic F40s, F50s and Enzos
* 10+ examples of the beautiful Dino
* 40+ examples of each of Ferrari's mid-engined 355, 360 Modena and F430
* 20+ modern V12s, including several 550 Maranello, 575M and 599 GTB Fioranos, accompanied by several 456 GT and 612 Scaglietti models
* Several other examples of Ferrari's incredibly diverse heritage, including Testarossas, Boxers, Mondials, 308s, 328s, 348s and more
* Bruno Senna, nephew of three times World Champion Ayrton Senna, and already a winner in his own right in GP2, will be driving one of the lead Ferrari cars in the Guinness World Record attempt

In addition to the Guinness World Record attempt, the Ferrari Racing Days event will feature the UK round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli with over 60 equally matched Ferrari F430 Challenge cars jostling for position on one of the fastest F1 Grand Prix circuits, and the ultra-exclusive FXX which will be making its only official UK appearance. It will be an action-packed weekend of Ferrari festivities which will appeal to Ferrari clients and the ever-faithful Tifosi.

Bruno Senna to race in a Ferrari at Silverstone

Bruno Senna, aged 23 from Sao Paolo in Brazil, will also star as a guest driver with the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB. His uncle, three-times F1 world champion Ayrton Senna, once said, "if you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew" and so far in GP2 Bruno has lived up to the billing, with victory in only his second race at Barcelona. From the very beginning of his motor racing career, Bruno has shown a strong and ambitious personality and he doesn't fear the comparison with his late uncle, saying, "If I am worse, the same or better than my uncle, only time will tell."

Massimo Fedeli, Managing Director of Ferrari GB Ltd , said, "We are very proud to welcome Bruno Senna to the Ferrari Challenge for our home round at Silverstone. The team are incredibly excited about Bruno's potential as he has already demonstrated his race-winning credentials after only a very short time in motor racing. Ferrari Racing Days is also the focus of Ferrari's 60th Anniversary celebrations in the UK, and we are sure the fans will appreciate the opportunity to see a Senna in a Ferrari for the first time."

Bruno will be driving a Ferrari F430 Challenge which carries a special livery with echoes of the Brazilian flag. He will be competing alongside the teams' other star drivers, including Nathan Kinch and Jamie Constable who race under the Team Vertu Racing banner and welcome the opportunity to race alongside a certain star of the future and World Champion in the making.

Ferrari GB's Motorsport Director, Enrico Bertaggia, enthused about Bruno's potential: "Bruno is one of those drivers who has the eyes of a champion - he races to win. His determination and ability behind the wheel means he will be a serious contender for a podium at Silverstone."

Ferrari's 60th Anniversary

Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone is the UK focus of Ferrari's 60th Anniversary and, quite appropriately, will also feature the Ferrari Shell Historic Championship in which classic road and race Ferraris compete in three different categories to relive the golden era of motorsport. Ferrari's customer motorsport division, Corse Clienti, are also supporting several Ferrari clients who will be demonstrating a range of famous and historic F1 cars from the company's illustrious racing past.

The Ferrari Racing Days will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of the Ferrari Owners Club in the UK, with an incredible display of at least 40 examples of the iconic F40 supercar which remains one of Ferrari's most memorable performance cars. With Ferrari owners from all over the UK invited to participate in the Ferrari Racing Days and the Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary, it is expected that Silverstone will see the largest gathering of Ferraris in one place in 2007.

There will be VIP parking available for Ferrari owners who purchase tickets through their local Official Ferrari Dealer. For details of your nearest Official Ferrari Dealer, please visit www.ferrari.co.uk

Commemorative programmes will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.

Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary

The Ferrari Racing Days will also be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of the Ferrari Owners Club in the UK, with an incredible display of 40 examples of the iconic F40 supercar which remains one of Ferrari's most memorable performance cars. With Ferrari owners from all over the UK invited to participate in the Ferrari Racing Days and the Ferrari Owners Club's 40th Anniversary, it is expected that Silverstone will see the largest gathering of Ferraris in one place in 2007.

Royal Navy "Black Cat Helicopter Display Team"

The Royal Navy "Black Cat" Helicopter Display Team, the Royal Navy's elite display team will be thrilling crowds with an incredible aerobatic display with two Lynx Helicopters from 702 Naval Air Squadron. The team's title "The Black Cats" comes from a combination of the Lynx wildcat featured on the 702 Squadron badge. The carefully choreographed, all new display for the 2007 season fully utilises the precision and aerobatic capabilities of the Lynx and the display features high-speed crosses, close formation work and opposing manoeuvres.

Summary of Motor Sport Activity for Ferrari Racing Days at Silverstone:

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is a race series dedicated exclusively to the Ferrari F430 Challenge which Ferrari clients can enter in a series of races at some of the most demanding and prestigious race circuits in Europe. In 2007, the F430 Challenge car is entering its second season of competition with an endurance race format that promises to offer dramatic action as the 60+ equally-matched 490hp V8 Ferraris jostle for position at every corner.

The F430 Challenge is a race-prepared version of the F430 road car - both feature Ferrari's acclaimed F1 "paddle-shift" gearbox and carbon-ceramic brakes, but the race car also features a full GT-spec roll-cage, Lexan windscreen and air jacks and centre-locking wheels for quicker wheel changes. The F430 Challenge race car also runs on 19" tyres which were specially developed by Pirelli for this championship. The F430 Challenge reaffirms the very close link between Ferrari's competition and road car departments.

FXX

For the fortunate few, Ferrari invited 29 of their most loyal and passionate clients to purchase an FXX and join the company as a "Client Test Driver". With only 29 FXX manufactured (plus one for Michael Schumacher), the FXX development programme is one of the most exclusive technological test-beds available to clients. Their use is exclusively restricted to race circuits around the world - the car is not homologated for road or race use. The FXX forms a critical part of Ferrari's commitment to research and development, with many of the innovations developed as part of the FXX programme being evaluated for potential use on future Ferrari road cars.

Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge

With an unrivalled heritage of important and iconic competition cars, the Ferrari Shell Historic Challenge is the perfect arena for historic Ferraris from every decade to be enjoyed in their natural environment - on the race track. The series is a stunning showcase for the proud history of competition Ferraris spanning 60 years, with unique cars such as a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Vignale, a 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB California Spider, a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione, and a 1980 Ferrari 512 BB Le Mans racing on track now just like they did when they first left Maranello.

F1 Clienti

The pace of development in the world of F1 motor racing is relentless, and, for many teams, cars from previous seasons are often relegated to spend their retirement in a museum collecting dust - but not so with Ferrari. After two years since they saw active competition, a select number of Ferrari F1 cars are offered for sale to Ferrari clients who wish to live out every boy's fantasy of being a Formula One driver.

These cars are professionally supported and lovingly maintained by the same Ferrari personnel who were part of the team during the car's racing career. The F1 Clienti stable includes cars from several decades of Ferrari's unparalleled F1 racing success, with examples of Ferrari's F1 cars previously driven by seven-times World Champion Michael Schumacher, and Niki Lauda's 1975 Ferrari 312T still providing a spectacle for Ferrari fans to enjoy many years after the car's official retirement from competition.

For further information about Ferrari Corse Clienti activities visit: www.ferraricorseclienti.com

Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic

The Ferrari Owners Club's Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic series is open to production Ferraris built prior to 1990. The championship is split into three classes:

Group 1 - V12

Group 2 - V8

Group 3 - V8 and Flat-12 Ferraris that have been lightly modified within the limits defined by the regulations.

For further information about the Pirelli Ferrari Formula Classic visit: www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk

World's Longest Scalectrix Track!

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:15:00 EST

What goes down when you put a bit too much wonga in the pockets of a couple of yobs and then let 'em loose? Why, they drop 10,000 quid on building the world's longest Scalectrix track at Dunsfold Airfield (is there a more famous 747 in the world besides Air Force One or Pan Am 103?) and invite the people from Guinness to officiate. The racing action isn't exactly heart-in-throat-inducing, but what we wouldn't give for that amount of track and a couple of scantily-clad corner marshals. The mind? It boggles. – Davey G. Johnson

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RIP, Speedy: World's Fastest South African Killed in Accident

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:26:21 EDT

Johan Jacobs, the "World's Fastest South African," was killed when his jet-powered dragster flipped over and disintegrated at 300 miles per hour. The accident happened on a trial run, a day before he was to make a run at the a land speed record he set this past March, at 316 mph. He'd been hoping to set a world record for acceleration over one mile. [Thanks to Haje for the tip.]

Attempt at land speed record ends in death [Fast Car]

Loaded Up and Truckin': Australian Sets Tractor-Trailers Record

Davey G. Johnson — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 14:04:31 EST

Australia in the '00s seems to us, watching from afar, like America in the 1970s. RWD cars, mad hoonage, that peaceful easy feelin', and truckin'. Mad truckin'. Retired semi-driver John Atkinson hitched his Mack prime mover up to 113 loaded trailers and towed the whole train 382 feet. The gross vehicle weight? 2.87 million pounds. Where's Hal Needham when you need him?

Aussie sets new world record with Mack [eTrucker via Rideroom]

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