I think the past records and this record are diminished if all it takes is a rental car with a big tank.
One guy with a rental car and a gasoline credit card owns the record now.

Aren't these records more about planning/strategy and maybe the luck of how many cops you run into?

It sounds like this guy planned better. Also the fact that he did it solo probably gave him a huge advantage over the group runs, since I understand that the group runs attract a lot of unwanted attention which you wouldn't get on a solo run.

This is like saying "I set a new race lap record" but you rented the track solo when the weather was perfect and there were no other cars that you were racing against.

It seems too simple to me.

Planning is make rental car reservation.
Race prep is rig up a spare tank.
Figure out gas stops.
Drive like hell.
Remove tank return rental car.

I've seen some shoddy tires on rental cars, I'd want to start on new tires. :)

Having owned and loved a TDI sportwagon, and enjoyed the range it afforded, I still don't see any way that a fully loaded (fuel and/or people) example can accelerate/run/decelerate in a way to achieve the avg of 100+ MPH. Just maintaining that speed would be a challenge much less the other 2 issues. Also, good luck renting one in the US.

Poor Stijn....just can't stand the idea it was done in a Mustang. Must be terrible to have Mustang derangement syndrome.

Records were made to be broken, but I really have no desire to even drive from coast to coast, let alone try it non stop. Has to be physically draining, and that's putting it mildly. I give kudos to those who attempt it, those who set new records, and a special shout out to Brock Yates who dreamed up the whole crazy thing during the dark days of a national 55 mph speed limit.

Way back in the days of the group runs, PCAer Dan Rowzie (sp?) Attempted it in an RSR...gave it up after being beaten to death by the track suspension being used on public highways. There is a group picture of entrants taken atop the roof of the red ball garage that made it as the cover photo of an old Car & Driver...that's Dan in a black jacket standing near the white RSR. Tried to find the pic, but I'm bad at searching...

I don't even care if it was done with a Porsche to be honest..
it's a test of driving and avoiding arrest... not so much the machine.

178kph average is peanuts compared to endurance racing.. so that on it's own isn't a big deal at all.
178kph on public roads is a big deal, simply because it's illegal and dangerous to others on that public road.

My 120D has 400nm torque.. stock.. chipped they easily pull 500nm..
There are similar Vdub TDI's out there..

Obviously none of that is rentable in the US, or even in Europe were you can typicaly only rent low end econoboxes... that wasn't the point i was making

Found it! Have to confess that the event and the record has always been fascinating to me.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1592845972.jpg

The average car of the current era is far superior in performance and economy and reliability and safety that the very top cars of the 1970s. Not many cars of the 1970s can run 120 across the desert of the southwest for hours on end and not break down. Now it is expected to be no problem.

Can't argue with that. Today's computers have changed car manufacturing dramatically. I mean, the closer engine tolerances alone. Back in the day we were told by Porsche that a 911 consuming a quart of oil in 600 miles was "normal". Also, the days of European cars being more reliable than the mass produced USA products are pretty much over because of these manufacturing changes.

Porsche used to literally be hand made...the cars pushed from station to station, with skilled craftsmen at each one. Today? Porsche learned a lot from the Japanese, the use of robotics, etc. Not much difference between how a Porsche is made and how a Toyota or a Ford is made. Much of the difference is in the cost of materials used, how many paint coats, etc.

(edit) Just for Stijn...a video on the specs of the soon to arrive Mach 1 Mustang. ;)

Might give him a clue why just a regular rental car Mustang GT set a new coast to coast record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd1Yst4qPng

3 years earlier.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/columns/a15143608/the-cannonball-baker-sea-to-shining-sea-memorial-trophy-dash-archived-feature/

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod...s-original.jpg

Ahhh, memories. "PRDA" Polish Racing Drivers Assn. When a good time was held by all who entered.

Who in their right mind would enter a cross country race in a MGBGT? :eek:

Yeah, it would slow you down a bit, being followed by a large truck full of spare parts and mechanics.

"The parts FALLING off my MG are of the finest British manufacture"

"We were slowed a bit because we could only drive during the daytime because we couldn't get the lights to work."

Not that bad a choice for the speeds they were going, all joking aside.