The internet isn't very clear today. Some of us were discussing the cannonball runs of late and I was reminded of those records manufacturers used to set at big oval tracks where they could run their cars flat out for 24 hours and set various records. I remembered Saab did it in the 80's. The internet says Corvette did it in the early 90's with a ZR-1 and averaged something like 175 mph for a full 24 hr day. Apparently VW ran their prototype W12 supercar in the early 2000's to a 200 mph average.
Were they the last ones to set and hold the record? My google-fu appears weak. Seems like something that should be brought back.
Just a guess, but maybe Nurburgring numbers are more fashionable now.
One problem the engineers face now is tires. The cars are so fast and the tracks to use have banking, so loads on tires are great.
A few years back I heard that insiders at IMSA wanted to set a closed course record possibly using a prototype at Daytona or Talladega. It became obvious there was not a left rear tire that would hold up, and fit a prototype.
I can in second place at Joliet after twenty four hours with a four cylinder Mustang. Must be some sort of record.
j_tso
Reader
9/27/20 10:56 p.m.
probably depends on who officiates the record, but the FIA does the ones I hear about.
https://www.fia.com/fia-world-land-speed-records
Looks like nobody has topped the VW W12 yet.
In August 1983, Mercedes broke a bunch of world records at Nardò to promote their first-ever compact chassis: the W201. They ran 190E 2.3-16 Cosworths with manual transmission. The big headline was 50,000 km in 201 hours (W201 ... get it?).
Continuous 6000 rpm for 9 days straight in 104 degree weather. 150 mph average speed (including pit stops every 50 minutes). The cars were mostly stock. Every 8,500 km, they had a longer (5-minute) pit stop to swap rear tires, do an oil/filter change, and check valve clearances. Front tires were swapped at every other 5-minute swap (17,000 km).
Only one of the three cars had a mechanical failure: a broken Bosch distributor arm. According to FIA rules, they weren't allowed to replace it, so the techs were forced to repair it.
In reply to LanEvo :
distributor ARM? is that the cap or is that the shaft? maybe something else?
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
Spiny bit under the cap, also called the rotor.
I love the Nardo story, first time I'd heard that they had to check the valve clearances. What a PITA if the clearances were off on that engine!
rotor, duh. That's what I meant by cap. geez im a mess this morning.
