LONGEST LAND ROVER PROCESSION – WORLD RECORD CONFIRMED

[Tom Mc]

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 28th MAY 2005

Yes, it has finally been confirmed by Guinness World Recordsâ„¢ - a new world record has been achieved for the Longest Land Rover Procession.

Set at Towcester Racecourse, Northamptonshire, England 18th April 2004, it has actually taken two long years to establish a record.  Organiser Tom McGuigan explains - “I first contacted Guinness World Recordsâ„¢ way back in April 2003, the record attempt itself took place April 2004 and it was eventually verified and accepted late May 2005.

Not surprisingly, folk have been getting somewhat impatient of late wondering what happened to the 2004 record claim – especially as we completed another attempt in April 2005 without even knowing if the first was a success!  Thankfully it has all come good and each and every one of the 260 participants in the inaugural procession is now officially a world record holder!"

Tom continued, “Please allow me to thank Office Manager’s Kate Nelhams and Terry Weirzan who dealt with the mountains of paperwork, all the Marshals who had the thankless task of staffing the gates for hours on end or sitting by a dual-carriageway while the rest of us had fun in the convoy, 4x4 journalist Laurie Wright who braved driving wind and rain to gather the vital photographic evidence required to back our claim, and last but not least Event Manager Mark Woollatt - without whom the event would not have taken place at all. Others in the past have tried and failed to establish a world record, it is due solely to these dedicated enthusiasts that we have succeeded on this occasion – THANK YOU ONE AND ALL”.

The criteria for establishing a world record are exceedingly complex, but basically the procession has to be ‘a minimum of two miles long’ with ‘no more than two vehicle lengths between each vehicle’. Comprising of virtually every type of Land Rover model ever produced (leaf sprung Land Rover Series I to III, Range Rover, 101 Forward Control, 90, 110, 130, Freelander, Discovery, etc.) all decked out in flags, bunting and an amazing collection of cuddly toys, the 2004 procession comprising 260 vehicles actually stretched over three miles - truly a joy to behold.

Now you have set a record, will you try to break your own record total next year?  Ã¢â‚¬Å“You bet!” said Tom.  Ã¢â‚¬Å“In actual fact, I believe Dutch enthusiasts are already talking about challenging the record this October, therefore we will have to have another go next year in order to keep the record on home soil”. 8th – 9th April 2006 are the dates for your diary, www.national4x4show.com or 01406 493144 / 07958 216266 the contact points for entries, camping and trade information.