Caltex powers Guinness World Record of World’s fastest 1,000m climb
LAST week, Caltex Philippines — marketed by Chevron Philippines, Inc. (CPI) — proudly announced one of its recent and most unique achievements: powering the car of professional rally driver, Natasha Chang, with Caltex fuel with Techron in her quest to nail the Guinness World Record for the fastest ascent of Doi Chang Mountain Road, located in the province of Chiang Mai in Thailand.
Doi Chiang Dao is a 2,175-meter mountain well known throughout Thailand for its high-quality singleorigin coffee. Leading up to it is Doi Chiang Mountain Road, which takes visitors along a scenic drive through Lam Nam Kok National Park. Using highly competent fuels, lubricants and automotive fluids in your vehicle while driving up this steep mountain road at speed is very important; as on average, a car engine loses about one percent of its power for every 100 meters that it climbs!
“Caltex partnered with Guinness World Records and set a timing of 6min. 52.692 seconds with Natasha achieving the coveted title, “The Fastest Ascent of Doi Chiang Mountain Road,” by using a 28-year old car.” exclaimed Caltex brand manager Brian Fisher, during the press conference.
“With the world record powered by Caltex with Techron, our campaign encourages drivers to fuel up the same fuel that set a world record, and experience its power in their everyday drive,” he added.
Documenting the achievement as a two-part series of its cable television show
Record Rides, was National Geographic Asia. “As a leading visual storyteller, National Geographic’s programming pillars of exploration, education and science resonate well with the Caltex brand,” explained Fisher of the partnership. “This show will demonstrate how Caltex with Techron fuels can power an engine towards achieving an extraordinary journey,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, officially writing it into the books was the Guinness World Records franchise. Their 63 years of credibility in transcribing global records have deemed them the obvious partner in making this endeavor authoritative. For Caltex, this was a huge win in demonstrating how the fuel, lubricants and automotive fluids of a world-class fuel brand could power record-breaking feats.
In order to invoke the maximum power from an engine, it is important to ensure that there is constant, unrestricted air and fuel delivery into it. This is not achievable if there are large deposits trapped within the intake valves, port fuel injectors, and other crucial parts. And this is exactly what Caltex’s proprietary Techron is meant to address. Techron’s unique formula act as cleaning agents that remove said deposits from the engine’s critical areas, and help prevent them from coming back.
Moreover, Caltex with Techron fuels also contain Clean and Glide technology, which helps to reduce friction between the parts inside the engine to aid in squeezing the most power out of the machine, thanks to reduced energy loss.
“Caltex with Techron is specially formulated to clean and protect engines,” emphasized Caltex product engineering manager Greg Engeler, who was also present at the event. He further encouraged people to feel the difference by fueling up with their brand, since “... this is the same fuel that our customers can experience at their neighborhood Caltex stations.”
Born in the USA to a Jamaican-Chinese father and Puerto Rican mother, Natasha Chang tells that never in a hundred years would she have imagined that she would be given the opportunity to hold this Guinness World Record. She attests to using an old but reconditioned Honda Civic for the challenge, running on 95 RON E10 Caltex with Techron that they had loaded up from the nearest Caltex station in Chiang Mai. The engine oil, coolant, and brake fluid used in the Honda Civic were also all Caltex branded.
Lastly, Caltex Philippines also took this opportunity to introduce their latest brand ambassador in the country – Jose Sixto a.k.a. ‘Ding-Dong’ Dantes. “Dingdong Dantes’ roster of achievements is a testament to his determination to keep on taking new challenges whether in acting, business, or in his personal life... each time beating his personal best!” exclaimed CPI country chairman to the Philippines, Louie Zhang. He adds, “He represents the brand’s personality of being positive, friendly, genuine, and he encourages people to enjoy the journey of whatever they are doing and wherever they are going.”