Thursday, October 13, 2011

  Fastest overland journey to the South Pole: KNGS sets world record (Video)

REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- During an expedition organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society (KNGS) and The Antarctica Company (TAC), two Arctic Trucks Expedition AT44 vehicles crossed 2308km of the Antarctica High Plateau from Novolazarevskaya station (Novo) to the South Pole in 108 hours (4.5 days) - setting the new world record for the Fastest overland journey to the South Pole from Novolazarevskaya Station, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).

  Photo: Hlynur Bjarki Sigurdsson, expedition driver and mechanic of Arctic Trucks International at the Ceremonial South Pole. All Photos courtesy of Arctic Trucks ( enlarge photo )

  The Guinness world record for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole from Novolazarevskaya Station was 108 hours and was achieved by members of the Kazakh Geographic Society in Antarctica.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the Fastest solo, unsupported and unassisted journey to the South Pole, set by Christian Eide (Norway), who completed a solo and unsupported trek to the South Pole in a record time of 24 days 1 hr 13 min.

  The expedition was organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society (KNGS) and The Antarctica Company (TAC).

  The core expedition team consisted of Konstantin Orlov and Stanislav Makarenko from KNGS, Andrey Myller from TAC and Hlynur Sigurdsson from Arctic Trucks.

  They drove 2,308 kilometers from Novo to the South Pole in only 108 hours across rough terrain at extremely low temperatures. Long distances had to be covered without the chance to refuel, Fréttabladid reports.

  The two Arctic Trucks vehicles used for this round trip were both Arctic Trucks Expedition AT44 models. Arctic Trucks designs and builds these vehicles based around the Toyota Hilux 3.0 liter turbo diesel.

  The purpose-built AT Expedition vehicles, based around a Toyota Hilux platform, traveled at an average speed to South Pole of 21.4km/h and average fuel efficiency of 2.2km/per liter, with only a single refueling stop on the way.

  An unofficial improvement on the record itself was achieved for the return journey, which was faster still at only 3.5 days, averaging 27.5km/h.

  No comparable speed or fuel efficiency has ever been recorded for high plateau expeditions in Antarctica.

Photo: The trucks used were based on the Toyota Hilux platform and traveled at an average speed of 21.4km/h and used 2.2km/liter of fuel. The trucks used have a 3.0L turbo diesel under the hood. ( enlarge photo )

  Arctic Trucks built vehicles have now clocked over eighty thousand kilometers on the plateau, proving new benchmarks for speed, range, reliability and fuel efficiency for overland travel in this area.

  "This route to the South Pole is extremely challenging. Our vehicles are operating at altitudes up to almost 3500m, in ultra-low temperatures and in very difficult snow conditions. The vast distance is a challenge in itself, with up to 1500km between fuel depots. We are delighted to celebrate this new world record with the team, which also marks a growing recognition of the power of Arctic Trucks solutions for expedition use," commented Emil Grimsson, Executive Chairman of Arctic Trucks.

  Arctic Trucks have been involved in all sorts of adventures; its employees have accompanied the crew of British television series Top Gear to the North Pole, and took them to the eruption site on Fimmvörduháls last year, driving on hot lava.