Guinness World Records has recognized Arctic Trucks, the Icelandic developer of extreme modified super jeeps, as being the fastest to cross Antarctica to the South Pole.
During an expedition in December 2010 Arctic Trucks drove two modified Toyota Hilux AT44 Expedition vehicles from Novo to the South Pole, 2.308 km, in just 108 hrs. Their average speed was 21.4 km, which yes, is a new world record in speeding in Antarctica! The old record was actually held by another Icelander who drove his modified 6 wheel Ford Econoline to the South Pole, starting in Patriot Hills.
Conditions during the expedition were very rough with extreme cold, high altitudes of about 3.500 meters (more than 10.000 feet) and the team had to cross previously unexplored fields of crevasses. The expedition was a big success and another proof of the unique capabilities of the modified Arctic Trucks super jeep vehicles.
Hlynur Sigurdsson, Expedition Driver and Mechanic, of Arctic Trucks International, at the Ceremonial South Pole (Photo: Business Wire)
Arctic Trucks has been a leader in modified super jeeps, first developing cars for the Icelandic glaciers, but later vehicles that have been used in expedition where no one thought a car could go. The most famous expedition is when Top Gear's James May and Jeremy Clarkson drove a modified Toyota Hilux from Arctic Trucks to the North Pole. James May later used that exact same vehicle to drive up an erupting volcano. Nothing seems to be impossible for the mechanics at Arctic Trucks.
“There is a fast growing interest from customers who are looking to supplement slower, less fuel-efficient tracked vehicles with faster, lighter and cleaner vehicles. We have great respect for the fragility of Antarctica and our vehicles have opened up new possibilities for scientific research programs to operate more efficiently in this environment.” says Emil Grimsson from Arctic Trucks.
The Antarctic expedition was organized by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society (KNGS) and The Antarctica Company (TAC). Four other expeditions are planned, another one for the KNGS in a modified Toyota Land Cruiser where the team will celebrate 20 years of independence on the South Pole December 16th, as well as the 100 year anniversary of the arrival of Amundsen's and Scott's arrival to the South Pole. One of the other three expeditions planned is a drive from Patriot Hills in a modified Toyota Tacoma, that will be built specially for the purpose of setting a new world record.
Further information: The Arctic Trucks Expeditions
Hjörtur
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