Monday 12th October 2009

'World's Fastest Defender' Shoot-out

239bhp TD5 Hardtop clinches title against mightier V8 muscle

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Bruntingthorpe proving ground was the scene for a battle that pitched 27 Landies head-to-head in a tussle for the title of 'The World's Fastest Land Rover Defender' last month.

239bhp TD5 handles like a Clio racer...

The contest organised by Land Rover Monthly magazine was not a simple drag race, but included straight line acceleration tests and timed sprints around short circuits.

In spite of a significant power disadvantage against some of the V8 entries, the title went to a TD5 Hardtop with a 239bhp diesel engine - thanks in large part to a set of Porsche Cayenne-spec Michelins, according to the vehicle's owner Charlie Fawcett.

"We are obviously very pleased to have won this event as we were up against some much more powerful opposition, including supercharged V8-powered vehicles," he said. "In the end though, the Michelin tyres really made a difference as we were able use every one of our 239bhp to easily win both of the timed circuit sprints, and the overall title.

so here's a Clio to redress the balance

"At times we had so much grip that the car was cornering on two wheels and our driver said it reminded him of his Clio race car in the way it turned into corners." Perfect for the school run, then Charlie.

The winning Defender was tuned by Charlie's own Thirsk-based tuning outfit Twisted Performance, where the 'World's Fastest' gong will presumably have pride of place.

[No 1]

Would be good to have some more information on this. I love Landies and own several (including a Tuscan race engined 110" and a 6 wheeler) and I'd love to see how the different vehicles compared.

Well done to Twisted though. They're getting lots of publicity at the moment having taken the same 90 around the Nurbugring this month, the article for that is in Land Rover Owner

[Graham]

I dont care how fast it is I still want the v8.... If the td5 in my disco ever goes bang ( tuned to 200bhp currently) then a v8 is going to fill the gap

[HellDiver]

Wonder where my Dad's old 2.25 petrol SIIA Lightweight would have fared? Bigger carbs, 109 wheels and a Fairey overdrive regularly saw the speedo going right round past 80 and hit the stopper pin at 0.

[Bish]

Love it! Have the same myself.............





With a real Landy!

Edited by Bish on Monday 12th October 14:21

[Tiny12]

Be interesting to see what tyres the other Landies were on…or if the other drivers/owners looked at the Michelins and thought “why didn’t I think of that”

A fine handling 90…that has to be close to my ultimate four wheeled vehicle…

[The Wookie]

Pfft! My Landy only puts out 30 less than that bog standard

BMW 2.8's FTW

[Mars]

No 1 said:

Would be good to have some more information on this. I love Landies and own several (including a Tuscan race engined 110" and a 6 wheeler) and I'd love to see how the different vehicles compared.

Well done to Twisted though. They're getting lots of publicity at the moment having taken the same 90 around the Nurbugring this month, the article for that is in Land Rover Owner

Got any info on the 6-wheeler? I read a website last week about a couple who embarked on a round-the-world trip in a 6-wheeler. Bloody marvellous stuff, but the power transmission from the middle diff to the rear diff looked a bit lashed-up to me (although I acknowledge it lasted their entire journey, apparently not troubling them at all).

[infradig]

The Wookie said:

Pfft! My Landy only puts out 30 less than that bog standard

BMW 2.8's FTW

Good work,I'd forgotten they even existed! Did you get it from the place in Bedford (sorry forgot the name) or did you import it yourself?
This is why I love PH,one comment on a thread makes me realise the diversity of enthusiasts and cars out there--sorry gush over!

[munk]

Without sounding like a killjoy, isn't the idea of the world's fastst Landy Defender like having the worlds best offroad Ferrari? I appreciate the work and all, but is it just not missing the point somewhat?

That said; I'd love to have a go in it- sounds truly crazy!!

[Lefty Guns]

I'd be more than happy with a series 3 lwb with a v8 making about 150bhp. Not fast but good for towing and won't struggle with hills when fully loaded



Landies, you gotta love em.

[Trusty Steed]

Seen this running in LRM. didnt know it had taken place, the next issue should be a good read! I should have entered by 110D/C. Fiddled about with by a Mr J Fearn. Good for 105Mph. Doesnt sound much but its very intersting bouncing down the A38 scaring all the other road users!!

One life - Live it!!

[No 1]

Mars said:

Got any info on the 6-wheeler?

www.redtrail.co.uk - it's a working vehicle rather than a toy.

[Trusty Steed]

No 1 said:

Mars said:

Got any info on the 6-wheeler?

www.redtrail.co.uk - it's a working vehicle rather than a toy.

Has this been in LRM. Seen something very similar in the last few issues?

[No 1]

Yes, it's in this month's LRO, along with Twisted Performance's 90 at the 'ring.

Nothing like free publicity.

[No 1]

Yes, it's in this month's LRO, along with Twisted Performance's 90 at the 'ring.

Nothing like free publicity.

[was8v]

This is nuts, surprised it didn't topple over a-la- Merc A class elk test with all that power and grippy tyres!!!

Any videos of the event????

[OllieWinchester]

No 1 said:

I love Landies and own several (including a Tuscan race engined 110" and a 6 wheeler)

WTF? More details please, that is insane...

Edited by OllieWinchester on Monday 12th October 21:32

[Papa Hotel]

Wolf FFR, 170kph on the Autobahn between Moenchengladbach and Herford. One of the most frightening drives of my life.

Edited by Papa Hotel on Monday 12th October 23:02

[E-B]

Nice Papa H,
170kph in a 110 Wolf FFR is good going (was that with Radios?). We'd occasionally get up there while rallying our Armed Forces Rally Team Wolves on the British Rally Champs. I guess it must have been well run in. Although we did trial a 'Super Wolf' in Iceland one summer on the Rally Reykjavic, tweaked pump, bigger intercooler (i think i was spec'd by Penman Eng) and that had packed a bit more grunt. I only managed to get a paltry 97mph in mine as i was delivering it from Middle Wallop to the Rollcage builders in Wales.

Nice to see someone developing that TD5 engine though.

[sniff diesel]

Spotted this one with a PH sticker at the Ring back in August, anyone off here?: