Record Breaking Falcon

[MAGPIE]

I thought this was rather impressive....

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 23 February 2006

New Zealand set a new world record today when the Ford-Rockgas LPG Endurance Challenge finished at midday at Powerbuilt Raceway at Ruapuna Park near Christchurch*.

The team, Keith Sharp, Graham Sharp, Anthony Myhre and Mark Babb, from Ford Racing Experience travelled 2451.50 kilometres over a 24 hour period in a dedicated LPG XT Falcon, establishing the world's first LPG endurance record.

In weather conditions that varied from rain and wind to 28 degree sunshine, the team averaged 102.05 kilometres per hour and set interim LPG world records at the 6 hour (620.88 kms), 12 hour (1240.51 kms) and 18 hour (1860.58 kms) marks as they completed 1044 laps of the 2.35 kilometre circuit.

"This is a fantastic achievement for the Ford-Rockgas Endurance Challenge team and highlights LPG as a cheap, clean and user-friendly alternative fuel source," said Mr Keith Sharp, Director of Ford Racing Experience.

"We were extremely impressed with this standard Falcon roadcar " it is as tight and as strong at the end of the 24 hours as it was at the beginning, it simply hasn't skipped a beat, and we haven't even had to pop the bonnet to change the oil. Its reliability is highlighted by the fact we were continuing to set fast lap times in the last hour," said a tired but elated Mr Sharp.

"Ford is proud to be the only company in New Zealand that provides factory-fitted dedicated LPG sedans, wagons and utes. A customer who drives one of our XT LPG Falcons 30,000 kilometres can expect to pay back the LPG option premium within 11 months and can then enjoy savings on fuel costs of up to 20%," said Mr. Don Leong, Falcon Brand Manager, Ford New Zealand.

"The world record reinforces Rockgas LPG as being an intelligent fuel choice for high mileage fleet operators," said Mr Ross Cameron, National Marketing Manager, Rockgas.

Ford-Rockgas LPG Endurance Statistics
24 hours - 2451.50 kms (1044 laps at an average speed of 102.15 km/hr)
18 hours - 1860.58 kms (792 laps at an average speed of 103.37 km/hr)
12 hours - 1240.51 kms (528 laps at an average speed of 103.38 km/hr)
6 hours - 620.88 kms (265 laps at an average speed of 103.48 km/hr)
1 hour - 109.53 kms (47 laps at an average speed of 109.53 km/hr)
11 fuel stops including 3 brake pad changes
5220 brake applications over 1044 laps
4176 gear changes over 1044 laps

* Subject to ratification by Motorsport New Zealand