|  | HSV Maloo R8 Ute in Mobil 1 Drive Around Australia
- 36,000k Drive,
Guinness World Record and Bathurst
18 August 2006
The Guinness world record holding Maloo R8 Ute is now on the fourth 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 12th
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 engine oil will undergo Mobil Oil Australia laboratory
analysis, combined with a total engine review.
“The
drive is now more than three quarters complete and has taken in Northern,
Central, West and North West and South Eastern 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 dealers and stores 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 has been 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
Mobil 1 Drive Around Australia
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