World Famous Record Breaking Disco 2
18.12.2015 by Rovertune
Recently one of our customers Mac Mackenney brought his revered and famous Land Rover Discovery 2 back to Rovertune for some minor repairs and modifications. This vehicle (pictured) driven by Mac, his brother Steve and Chris Rawlings broke the World Record for driving between London and Cape Town (South Africa) in October 2010, a distance of 10,000 miles, through 20 countries in a time of 11 days 14 hours 11 minutes, beating the previous record by 1day 18 hours 37 minutes set by Eric Jackson and Ken Chambers way back in 1963. Mac’s new record still stands today and was achieved by driving non-stop and without breaking any local speed limits.
Meticulous planning over many months went into Mac’s record attempt which was in aid of Help for Heroes, supporting the wounded from current war conflicts, a charity supported by Rovertune Ltd.
Rovertune Ltd, together with one of their partners Alive Tuning, was involved in preparing the Discovery for its epic journey using their expertise in vehicle preparation, fuel economy and performance tuning.
Mac Mackenney is one of the UK’s finest and formidable Adventurers covering all aspects of expeditions to both very hot and cold climates and extreme driving challenges. A visit to his company website www.maxadventure.co.uk provides an in depth insight to the challenges he undertakes and includes full details, videos and pictures of the London to Cape Town record drive. Mac has also written many articles for the leading Land Rover magazines.
Rovertune Ltd are proud to be associated with Mac Mackenney and are delighted that he has faith in our ability to ‘build in’ total reliability into servicing and repairing his expedition vehicles.
Below is an extract from the Max Adventure website setting out the role played by Rovertune Ltd prior too, and during the London / Cape Town record attempt:-
“When it came to preparing the vehicle for the record attempt, we needed to talk to a specialist company that deal solely with Land Rovers and in particular, have extensive knowledge of our vehicle, the Discovery Td5.
Not only was it imperative that the vehicle was thoroughly checked over, but also the correct advice given with regards to spares and tools. Rovertune were the ideal company for us to speak to. As independent Land Rover specialists, they can provide us with professional advice based on years of experience.
Before the Discovery was even purchased for the record attempt, it was given a thorough inspection by Rovertune to ensure that it was a sound vehicle to use. A second inspection and then went through the Land Rover again with a fine toothed comb, highlighting any components that need replacing or servicing.
As the vehicle will be converted from air suspension at the rear to coil springs, the vehicle’s management computer needs to be told that is no longer operating on air. With their Autologic diagnostics equipment, Rovertune will reprogram the Discovery for this change.
To undertake this record, the team need to be good all-rounder’s – drivers, navigators, communicators, photographers and mechanics. There is no substitute for being a specialist in your field and during the two-week long drive, Robert Margrave from Rovertune will be on standby 24/7 to assist with any vehicle related problems via the team’s satellite phone.”
Footnote
As can be seen above, Rovertune Ltd was on standby via the team’s satellite phone for the entire duration of the drive both day and night to assist with any vehicle related problems. However, none materialised which is great testament to the pre planning put in by Mac and his team and also the work carried by Rovertune prior to commencement of the drive, which included overcoming some of the most punishing conditions of heat and terrain any vehicle would ever need to undertake.
For more information visit www.maxadventure.co.uk