Overland World Record Arctic Expedition using Taco

another youtube update. Scheduled to take off tomorrow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BniK1BBlq_I&feature=share

 

And they're off!


Below are two entries from their facebook page:

1)
"It's all systems go....we have officially started our attempt at the world record for overland speed from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole at 1030 Chilean time (1330 GMT) on 12 December 2011.

The weather is less than desirable due to low contrast (it's windy and overcast), but the vehicle is in great shape, the team is excited and energized. Here goes nothin'…

To the Pole!"

2) (most recent entry)
"The weather is certainly working against us today. What started out as a little overcast has turned into complete white-out conditions. So that means we are left to drive completely by GPS, and at a much slower speed because we can't see large bumps, etc. The good news, according to Kieron, is that at least we aren't going to run into... any trees!

We're hoping that the weather breaks after we get out from the mountain range we're near (those being Patriot Hills, I guess.) So we are generally heading east at the moment to get around the mountains, and when we do that we'll turn south and then keep going that way. Hopefully the weather is clear on the other side.

More when I know something...

Oh, it's also worth noting that while our communication link is generally one way and can't read your comments while we're out here, we've been told by our people in London that there are many, many comments of support. We thank you for those, please keep 'em coming. We're definitely feeling the positive vibes and can't wait to read them all when we return."



and...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwVhFeiP-rQ&feature=share

 

yeahhhhh

 

gues this attempt is over
long travel for the south pole 2.0???

 

no never give up! never surrender! besides who needs LCA's anyways

 

are they really using stock LCAs for that beast?!

 

that's what it looks like doesn't it? i don't understand why either. i mean it seems like they built that monster with quite a pocket and seems that everything has some sort of upgrade

 

What a bunch of liars! Lol. That sure looks like a stock arm.

 

i love the rachet mod!

 

DAM I REALLY WANT TO TAKE IT FOR A RIDE

 

Yeah seems its getting popular

 

you could tell they didn't have "long travel" in the first post when you looked at the pictures on their site. my gues is that being from a different country, some terms have slightly different meanings. we define long travel as longer than stock arms. they most likely define long travel in a more literal sense as in a suspension that simply has more travel than stock (aka: "mid-travel" to us)

 

they are currently trying to get another arm.....



"Apparently not all wishbone breaks are good luck. Fortunately in this case, though, it was only the truck that suffered from this particular break. As I've mentioned, we are all doing fine. The tent is up, we've had some freeze dried grub-in-a-bag, and a good long sleep (especially Kieron, who despite having slept for nearly 14 hours last night, is back at it already again today).

We also have co...nfirmation that the tractor train that is going to give us a lift is about 4 hours away right now. Then it'll be about a 10 hour drive back to Union Glacier with Polar in tow (well, not literally. It'll be on a flatbed of some kind.)

The gears are all moving now to see what can be done to get a replacement part shipped in. We tried to get one on the cargo flight that was coming in this morning from Punta Arenas, but the Toyota dealership didn't open before the flight took off. Now we're trying a few other options, working feverishly on every front to get it sorted. All the three of us out here can do for now is wait, really.

But don't count us out yet. I have a feeling Polar vehicle may yet live up to her name."

 

Wow are they really stock LCA ? If thats true those stock arms are one tuff cookie. Considering ammount of extra weight and the size of tires they handled. Plus that looks like the same side they hit when rim cracked. Surprising it did not broke off back then.

 

Well that says a lot about how much faith they had in the stock ones! even tho they did fail.

I want to know more about this "bio-fuel" they are using.

 

nothing really new, but another small update


"For those of you that have been asking for an update here goes.....

'Polar' was picked up by the tractor train yesterday and taken back to Union Glacier. Behind the scenes we are making good progress sourcing the replacement wishbone. No one said making history was easy but everyone everywhere is pulling together to make this happen. What great team work!

Follow our reports in real-time at expeditiontothesouthpole.com"

 

was hoping for a new video today..... guess they been busy!

 

that shock looks small too....