!NEW! Opel Gains Multiple World Records After Astra-nomical Attempt

• FIA & MSA confirm that Opel/Vauxhall have set/broken 18 World and UK records
• Astra covered over 3,000 miles in 24 hours on tortuous banked circuit
• Exceptional reliability: Zero down-time for lead record car, despite 125+ mph average

Receiving the trophy and certificates for the 18 records: Volker Strycek, Head of OPC and Opel Motorsport, Alan Gow, Chairman of the MSA and Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director (from left).

Opel/Vauxhall flew into the record books today, after motorsport’s governing bodies confirmed that a recent attempt by two standard Astras to set and break 18 World and UK Speed Endurance Records had been successful. The lead Astra 2.0 CDTI 165 hp in the attempt covered a total of 3002.44 miles at an average 125.101 mph, only stopping for fuel and a single, cautionary change of its Michelin tires.

The two winning Astras make it over the finishing line

In partnership with sister company Vauxhall, Opel attempted two sets of speed endurance records at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, UK: 12 in the FIA’s* 1600-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class, and a further six in the MSA’s* 1500-2000cc forced-induction diesel production car class. All 18 records (see table below) were achieved, with key records such as the World 1-, 6-, and 12-hour broken conclusively, and the long-standing UK 24-hour smashed by 25 mph.

Opel/Vauxhall invited a team of twelve drivers to complete the challenge, comprising nine motoring journalists and three Opel/Vauxhall staff. Each drove a total of four hours, split between the two cars.

Group photo of journalists and Opel team in front of record Astras

Despite circulating the two-mile banked circuit 1,500 times, both Astras proved hugely reliable and consistently quick, with the fastest two-mile lap achieved in 55.453 seconds at an average speed of 131.852 mph, just 2.148 mph below the car’s official top speed – no mean feat, given the steep banking on Millbrook High Speed Bowl’s fifth lane.

“We’re over the moon with today’s news,” said Volker Strycek, Opel Director Performance Cars & Motorsport and team captain of the world record drivers. “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 Opel 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. Last but not least thanks to the whole Opel/Vauxhall team and especially our fantastic pit crew,”said Strycek.

A smiling team captain Volker Strycek meets his pit crew at the end of the race

A trophy presentation was made to Opel/Vauxhall by the MSA’s Chairman, Alan Gow, on the opening day of the Autosport International Racing Car Show yesterday at the NEC (http://www.autosportinternational.com/).

2013 FIA Land Speed Records

Category B Class 9 (over 1,600cc to 2,000cc): Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
10 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:14.629	114,933	184,967
10 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	05:02.551	118.988	191,492
100 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	29:16.907	127,322	204,905
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,392
500 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	02:27:32.572	126,343	203,330
500 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	03:58:41.296	125,686	202,272
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Sunday 06 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance- Miles	Distance- Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
6 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,418	201,842	752,514	1211,055
12 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,440	4831,960

2013 British Land Speed Records

Class E (over 1,500cc to 2,000cc) – Group III: Diesel cycle engine with forced induction

Record	Date	Elapsed time hh:mm:ss.sss	Speed-MPH	Speed-KPH
100 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	47:00.753	127,625	205,390
1000 Kilometers	Saturday 05 October, 2013	04:55:04.596	126,347	202,337
1000 Miles	Saturday 05 October, 2013	07:58:36.097	125,365	201,755	Distance - Miles-	Distance - Kilometers
1 Hour	Saturday 05 October, 2013		128,024	206,036	128,024	206,036
12 Hours	Saturday 05 October, 2013		125,103	201,335	1501,247	2416,023
24 Hours	Sunday 06 October, 2013		125,101	201,331	3002,774	4831,960

New FIA/MSA record holders:

The drivers listed below achieved all the above records collectively

Driver	Publication
Owen Mildenhall	Auto Express
Matthew Prior	Auto Car
Richard Aucock	Motoring Research
Alisdair Suttie	The Scottish Sun
David Finlay	Car Keys
Pere Prat	La Vanguardia
Alexander Lidl	Autozeitung
Carlos Hernandez	LUIKE Iberoamericana de Revistas ('Autofácil' and 'CAR&Tecno')
Franco Nugnes	Omnicorse
Volker Strycek	Opel
Peter Hass	Opel
Simon Hucknall	Vauxhall Motors

*FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile; MSA – Motor Sports Association