Diesel . . . It's not just for tractors ! ! !
Discussion
New Zealand Diesel Speed Record Attempt
An attempt to set a new speed record for diesel vehicles will take place at Goudies Road Rerewhakaitu on Saturday 29th July in a Volkswagen Jetta TDi.
Driver Maurice O’Reilly purchased the 2001 Gull Volkswagen Jetta from the VW factory assisted team that has driven this car to successive podium finishes at the Nurburgring 24 Hour Race in Germany. The Jetta is one of 2 prototypes build by Volkswagen as part of their motorsport development program.
The Jetta is powered by a turbocharged 1900cc TDi engine producing a modest 170kw. However, the secret of diesel performance is torque and this engine has plenty to make it a serious performer. Coupled to a 6 speed transmission the torque is able to keep the car accelerating strongly in the higher ratios to very impressive speeds. The prototype engine must use very high quality fuel and it is fortunate that Gull Petroleum import Diesel to the best European standard. Volkswagen TDi is the same world leading technology used by Audi to win the recent Le Mans 24 Hour.
The objective of challenging the speed record is to demonstrate that when used in new generation engines, Diesel is a serious performance fuel. In NZ diesel is principally associated with trucks and tractors whereas in Europe over 50% of new cars sold are diesel. The largest racing classes at Nurburgring and many other European race events are also diesel powered.
New Zealand Diesel Endurance Record Attempt
An attempt to set a new 24 hour endurance record for diesel vehicles will take place at Manfeild Race Circuit Feilding on Monday 7th/8th August in a Volkswagen Jetta TDi.
The current records for 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours were set in 1996. The challengers believe that the new generation TDi engines are more powerful and economical giving every chance of success.
Four drivers will sequentially pilot the Gull VW Jetta throughout the 24 hour period. They are car owner Maurice O’Reilly, Wayne Moore, Paul Goatley and Eberhard Rattunde. Eberhard is the senior VW Special Projects diesel engine developer at the VW factory in Wolfsburg Germany. The engine in the Gull Jetta challenger is one of his special endurance race developments.
Maurice is a life member of Tauranga Mount Car club who are managing the event. He has ad a long career in motorsport driving most classes of vehicle including GP single seaters. He was the Bruce McLaren Champion in 1995. Maurice now specialises in driving with international teams in 24 hour endurance events around the world.
For more information …
Maurice O’Reilly
mauriceATtaurangaDOTcoDOTnz
An attempt to set a new speed record for diesel vehicles will take place at Goudies Road Rerewhakaitu on Saturday 29th July in a Volkswagen Jetta TDi.
Driver Maurice O’Reilly purchased the 2001 Gull Volkswagen Jetta from the VW factory assisted team that has driven this car to successive podium finishes at the Nurburgring 24 Hour Race in Germany. The Jetta is one of 2 prototypes build by Volkswagen as part of their motorsport development program.
The Jetta is powered by a turbocharged 1900cc TDi engine producing a modest 170kw. However, the secret of diesel performance is torque and this engine has plenty to make it a serious performer. Coupled to a 6 speed transmission the torque is able to keep the car accelerating strongly in the higher ratios to very impressive speeds. The prototype engine must use very high quality fuel and it is fortunate that Gull Petroleum import Diesel to the best European standard. Volkswagen TDi is the same world leading technology used by Audi to win the recent Le Mans 24 Hour.
The objective of challenging the speed record is to demonstrate that when used in new generation engines, Diesel is a serious performance fuel. In NZ diesel is principally associated with trucks and tractors whereas in Europe over 50% of new cars sold are diesel. The largest racing classes at Nurburgring and many other European race events are also diesel powered.
New Zealand Diesel Endurance Record Attempt
An attempt to set a new 24 hour endurance record for diesel vehicles will take place at Manfeild Race Circuit Feilding on Monday 7th/8th August in a Volkswagen Jetta TDi.
The current records for 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours were set in 1996. The challengers believe that the new generation TDi engines are more powerful and economical giving every chance of success.
Four drivers will sequentially pilot the Gull VW Jetta throughout the 24 hour period. They are car owner Maurice O’Reilly, Wayne Moore, Paul Goatley and Eberhard Rattunde. Eberhard is the senior VW Special Projects diesel engine developer at the VW factory in Wolfsburg Germany. The engine in the Gull Jetta challenger is one of his special endurance race developments.
Maurice is a life member of Tauranga Mount Car club who are managing the event. He has ad a long career in motorsport driving most classes of vehicle including GP single seaters. He was the Bruce McLaren Champion in 1995. Maurice now specialises in driving with international teams in 24 hour endurance events around the world.
For more information …
Maurice O’Reilly
mauriceATtaurangaDOTcoDOTnz
Esprit said:
It's hardly a rocketship car is it? The old record must be pretty damned slow! I'd have thought that there'd have been better cars out there to try it in as well. *shrug* good luck to him.
I think Maurice is more keen on the 24 hour thing but sponsors tend to like the speed events. Saves them freezing their nuts off at 3am in Fielding.
There are no doubt some Audi, Merc or BMW Diesel's that would be faster (and I don't mean a R8
) but a record is a record. The record for a lap around Pukekohe in a XTR² is probably 1:40 ish
Edited by Kiwi XTR2 on Wednesday 26th July 06:01
New record set at 230 odd ks, beating the old diesel record by about 40 ks apparently.
Id imagine theres hundreds of diesels who have been faster than 190 ks before :haha:
They reckon they have a good chance at the overall endurance records cause they wont have to stop for fuel so often
Id imagine theres hundreds of diesels who have been faster than 190 ks before :haha:
They reckon they have a good chance at the overall endurance records cause they wont have to stop for fuel so often
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