Official: MSN Cars helps Vauxhall set multiple world records!

Vauxhall has become an official World Speed Record holder after the FIA and MSA confirmed an average speed of more than 125mph in its 3,000-mile 24-hour speed trial event.

The news also means that MSN Cars contributor Richard Aucock has become a World Speed Record holder – he was one of the drivers in the team of 12 that piloted the two cars around Bedfordshire’s Millbrook Proving Ground late last autumn.

Chasing a World Speed record: 125mph for 24 hours in a Vauxhall Astra!

Amazing world record-breaking cars

Two identical Vauxhall Astra 2.0 CDTi 165 SRi models were used for the speed endurance challenge, competing in the FIA 1600-2000cc turbodiesel production car class AND the MSA 1500-2000cc turbodiesel production car class.

12 World FIA records and six British MSA records were attempted – and Vauxhall achieved all 18 of them, with key highlights including the World 1-hour, 6-hour and 12-hour records and the UK 24-hour record. This has stood for more than two decades – and Vauxhall beat it by 25mph!

The firm set a new 24-hour World Speed record too – the reason it there was no record to beat was because nobody had been able to complete it before…

“We’re over the moon with today’s news,” said Simon Hucknall, Vauxhall’s PR Manager. “This was an important test for the Astra, and it proved that a car with the qualities that most motorists are after – exceptional reliability, a good performance/economy blend and long-distance comfort – can be found at their nearest Vauxhall showroom.

“But the attempt was also a success thanks to the stamina and skill of our driving team, who performed faultlessly through the attempt.

“The team’s ruthless adherence to FIA rules, Michelin’s great support and Millbrook’s efficiency and experience with speed attempts completed the picture and turned an audacious attempt into an unqualified success.”

MSN Cars’ Richard Aucock drove for a total of four hours in the record attempt, which saw the cars circle Millbrook 1,500 times. “It was a super challenge to be a part of and I’m delighted we successfully set so many new records,” said Aucock.

“It wasn’t easy, driving the Astra consistently flat out for two hours at a time though… by the end of each run, my right foot was actually aching from being pinned to the floor for so long!

“Full credit to the cars, though – they never missed a beat. The guys up at Ellesmere Port that built them should be very proud indeed. The 125mph record-breaking car actually had zero downtime: apart from driver changes and a tyre change, it ran at maximum speed for the entire 24-hour period… impressive stuff!”

By motoringresearch.com