Rainer Zietlow set his fifth world driving record by connecting the city of Magadan (Russia) to Lisbon in just six days. There were more than 16,000 km.
Last week we had a conversation with Rainer Zietlow, a friendly German who has dedicated his life to breaking driving records. “My life is breaking records!”, That's how he introduced himself to the audience waiting for him at one of the Volkswagen dealerships in Lisbon. And by the way, it's not a bad conversation starter…Zietlow's latest record linked the city of Madagan (Russia) to Lisbon
Rainer Zietlow and his Challenge4 team set their 5th driving world record by covering nearly 16,000 kilometers in six days. The challenge started on July 1st in the city of Magadan, Russia, and ended on July 7th in Lisbon. Rainer Zietlow and the Challenge4 team drove a Touareg through seven countries: Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal.
Amidst some laughter, Zietlow confessed that the hardest part of the journey was on Russian territory: “driving in Russia is a matter of faith. You have to believe that nothing bad is going to happen and, oddly enough, it usually doesn't. Cars seem to shrink (laughs)”. Another challenge was to “survive” the bumpy roads of the easternmost part of Russia, “in less than 50 km we drilled six times. We had to opt for tires in Kevlar. Heavier but the only ones able to withstand those conditions”.
16,000 km non-stop
The “Touareg Eurasia” adventure also featured a Volkswagen Touareg. The German SUV was practically unchanged, having only received a safety roll, new seats and a larger fuel tank. Of all the challenges, the biggest one was mechanic “in Russia the fuel is of terrible quality! But thanks to the additives we used, the Touareg performed beautifully,” said Zietlow.
As usual, this record also had a social aspect. Rainer Zietlow once again supported the SOS Children's Villages association, with 10 cents for every kilometer travelled. Next record? Not even the self knows. But it won't stop here...
The records broken by Rainer:
- 2011: Argentina – Alaska: 23,000 km in 11 days and 17 hours
- 2012: Melbourne – St. Petersburg: 23,000 km in 17 days and 18 hours
- 2014: Cabo Norte – Cabo Agulhas: 17,000 km in 21 days and 16 hours
- 2015: Cabo Agulhas – Cabo Norte: 17,000 km in 9 days and 4 hours
- 2016: Magadan – Lisbon: 16,000 km in 6 days
