2011 Race to the South Pole: Progress

Siberian Black Ice Race - Update 8

March 2012

Hello,

It is day 8 of the first Siberian Black Ice race.

The weather this morning was clear blue skies and 45 miles per hour wind up to your waist with it blowing the snow across the black ice. What an amazing and unusual sight to see.

The safety team received a call from Team Mercury after their tent had caught fire but they managed to stop the fire in time and are unharmed. They are both well and safely back in Irkutsk and will return home shortly.

The field of racers are slowly moving further and further apart. The first to complete the sprint duration in 33 hours went to Evgeny Glazunov and the second goes to another local Russian participant, Alexander Ulitin, who completed the sprint race in an incredible xx hours.

As none of the racers know where any other of the racers are, this could be a very interesting race…

You can keep up to date with all the news and monitor the progress of each participant, including listening to their experiences live from the ice on the audio blogs, on the Siberian Black Ice Race Progress Page..

Day 8

Day 63, Tony and Racers

January 2012

Tony’s Update:

Hello it is day 63 the 23rd of January and we have spent the day at the South Pole doing a photo shoot. The temperature is dropping at least 2 degrees a day so things are getting tougher. We are approaching the last few days of this section of our time spent in Antarctica and preparations are being made for the return trip. We have had a lot of drifting snow and Bar 100 is temporarily closed, not for long though!!

Day 63

Helen Reaches the Pole!

Racer’s Update:

Most teams are still moving forward at a good pace. Team EBB Paper, although no longer a competing team, are only a day away from reaching the South Pole. Teams Centrepoint and Mission Possible continue to make steady pace together, are in good spirits and are aiming to complete the race within the allocated time.

Team Mercury remain consistent as they have been throughout the whole competition and are now within 2 days of the Pole. At the current standings this would give them second place.

For racers updates visit: http://www.extremeworldraces.com/races/south-pole-race/race-progress/2011-race-to-the-south-pole/

For updates on Helen’s progress: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/diaries/helen-skeltons-polar-challenge-for-sport-relief

Press Release 03/12/10

December 2010

Press Release. For immediate release.

EWR Main Logo

**New Arctic Trucks 6x6 Hilux off-roader created for world’s toughest race**

Ultimate Arctic Trucks AT44 6x6 Hilux to be tested to limits in Antarctica for Historic EWR Centenary Race to the South Pole

Arctic Trucks AT44 6x6

Since 1990, Arctic Trucks have been the world’s leading extreme terrain modification specialists and their 4x4 Hilux has featured in some of the most incredible journeys undertaken in recent years. However, a very special and historic event – the EWR Centenary Race to the South Pole - has required Arctic Trucks to create the all-new AT44 6x6.

With 44 inch tyres, higher load capacity and improved towing ability, extra-large deck for carrying support teams and the extensive equipment required for the competitor’s survival, the AT44 6x6 is now the ultimate off-roader and the only vehicle capable of performing in the world’s last great wilderness.

The hotly anticipated AT44 6x6 Hilux will be tested to its absolute limits in the world’s highest, driest and coldest desert when, on 14th December 2011, 100 years to the day since Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen beat Captain Robert Falcon Scott in their epic duel to the South Pole, the EWR Scott/Amundsen Centenary Race to the South Pole will begin.

Negotiating multiple crevasses, crossing snow bridges and rising to over 3000 metres above sea level, facing winds of up to 80mph and withstanding temperatures as low as -56C: these are just a few of the challenges on offer in the ultimate off-road test on the EWR Centenary Race to the South Pole. Extra large 400 litre fuel tanks and capacity for 8 x 200 litre fuel barrels create an unprecedented driving range, allowing unsupported travel to the South Pole. With substantially more traction, the 6x6 will have greater pulling capacity in difficult conditions. The new drive line of the 6x6 has been designed to keep the exceptional reliability Arctic Trucks are famous for, tested on many successful expeditions to the toughest environments on the planet.

Emil Grimsson of Arctic Trucks;“Creating the 6x6 has been our biggest challenge to date and we are excited by the prospect of being a part of such a momentous event. This is a huge step forward in off-road engineering and will allow us to provide the best possible support for the brave competitors.”

Set in the stunning landscape of the coldest, driest and highest deserts on earth, the EWR Centenary Race to the South Pole is inspired by the 100th Anniversary of the original Antarctic challenge between Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen. Taking place for only the third time ever, the second race in 2009, filmed for the BBC’s “On Thin Ice” documentary series, saw history repeat itself as TV celebrity Ben Fogle and Olympian James Cracknell were narrowly defeated by the Norwegians.

Tony Martin, Race Organiser and MD; “For any off-roader, this is the ultimate test. It is vital to have the right levels of expertise, equipment and support. Arctic Trucks’ 6x6 is the only vehicle capable of performing to these levels in Antarctica - the harshest conditions in the world.”

For further information, race maps, a selection of images and to arrange interviews please contact:
Dan Crofton dan@extremeworldraces.com
Darryl Butcher darryl@extremeworldraces.com

020 7225 6420, www.extremeworldraces.com or check out www.vimeo.co/ewr

AT44 6x6 Specifications: