Rover revs up record speed run

The MG Rover Group has applied to the Guinness Book of World Records after its specially built MG ZT-T station wagon, codenamed X-15, reached a top speed of 225.609mph (360.9 km/h) at the recent Bonneville Speed Week in Utah.

The idea to challenge the existing record came last year, when Nick Stephenson, deputy chairman of MG and Rover owner Phoenix Venture Holdings, and Rover design director Peter Stevens, of McLaren F1 fame, decided to build a 200mph station wagon derived from the upcoming MG ZT-T V8.

Stephenson was also an accomplished drag racer in Britain. Their reasoning was four-fold: to leverage MG's Bonneville history, which dates back to 1951 and a string of records; to demonstrate the strength and safety inherent in the MG ZT range; to halo the introduction of some exciting new V8-powered MG models; and to support engine development work for the planned ultra-high performance versions of MG's XPower SV sports car.

"This is not just about setting world records," Stevens said. "This is about testing MG's vehicles to their limits, in some of the most extreme conditions you can find in the world.

"The added challenges of meeting strict technical and safety regulations, which are set by the Southern California Timing Association, make our achievement of 225.609mph all the more satisfying."

Famous racing names such as Stirling Moss and Phil Hill have set records driving for MG in the harsh and challenging environment of the Utah salt desert.

Daily temperatures of more than 38C, the high altitude and the low grip surface of the smooth salt have always meant that high-speed record breaking at Bonneville is never easy.

Last year, MG Rover approached the legendary, California-based So-Cal Speed Shop to build and run the car.

Custom car specialists So-Cal are professional land speed racers, well known for their Bonneville achievements in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Roush Performance developed the powertrain, a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre Ford SVO V8 with electronic fuel injection that developed 566kW (765bhp).

Bonneville veteran Pat Kinne clicked off an initial licensing pass of 207mph on the Bonneville short course, backed up with a blistering 223mph pass on the long course.

Some minor pitch-attitude tweaking saw the ZT-T make a final run at 225.609mph (306.9 km/h).

"Bonneville and record breaking is a very important part of MG history," said Stephenson.

"Reaching 225mph with our ZT-T is part of our future, because it signals the direction for further high performance models."

Said So-Cal President Pete Chapouris: "Having a world record would be the icing on the cake. However, we are totally ecstatic with the performance of the MG ZT-T, which exceeded our goal of a 200mph estate by a comfortable margin."

Said Stevens: "We had high hopes that the X-15 would perform as predicted, but in a competitive situation, exaggerated by the harsh environment of Bonneville, you can never be certain.

"Not only are we tremendously pleased with the outright achievement, but that this form of extreme performance testing has demonstrated the capability of future powertrain and chassis developments."

The Bonneville MG ZT-T V8 used a standard MG ZT-T estate body shell with roll cage. The fuel tank was relocated to the rear of the vehicle for speed safety. Modified equipment and components included: custom transmission tunnel; Flame Out fire systems; custom subframe incorporating Morrison cross-member, struts, A-arms and Flaming River rack and pinion steering; Morrison ladder bars; Wilwood discs and hubs; Aldan Eagle coil-over shocks; eaders by John West Fabrications; dry sump oil system; carbon fibre intake manifold; K&N air filter; fuel management by EFI; data acquisition by PI Systems; Roush water pump; Meziere electric water pump; Weldon fuel pump; Lakewood scattershield modified by Roush; Quarter Master starter; eight-inch Quarter Master clutch; Jerico five-speed manual transmission; Winters heavy duty Champ quick change; 11-inch Currie drums; Taylor Made wheels: 15x4.5 front, 15x5.0 rear; Goodyear Eagle land speed tyres: 25x4.5x15 front, 28x4.5x15 rear; custom built exhaust; Mobil fuel and lubricants; Autometer instruments; Jaz race seats; DJ harnesses and window nets; Chute Metal Race parachute.