Rainer Zietlow is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for driving around the world in a Volkswagen powered by natural gas. The accomplished driver has now arrived in Multan accompanied by his three-member team, Florian Hilpert, Frane Yanusiewicz and Falk Gunold.
It is the second leg of his journey in Pakistan. During a six-month period, the team will drive a distance of 45,000 kilometers across five continents. The record tour, which started on October 23, 2006 in Hanover, will take them to 75 metropolises in 40 countries all over the world. The EcoFuel World Tour will finally come to an end on 13th April 2007.
He told newsmen here on Wednesday that he had faced many challenges during the tour. "In Pakistan my tour is an adventure because of huge traffic of decorated and beautiful truck-loads," Rainer said. "This is a lifetime's ambition for me. It is not an easy record to make as no one has ever attempted this before. I am very confident that by implementing some simple driving tips I will be able to set a strong record."
About the journey, he said "drivers will be encountering virtually every type of road, terrain and climatic extreme imaginable, but one thing that would remain constant is Shell as my trusted partner when it comes to fuels and lubricants".
Rainer Zietlow set his eyes upon the EcoFuel World Tour after setting the altitude record for series vehicles. The goal of this tour is to drive around the world in a Volkswagen Caddy EcoFuel running on natural gas. The intention of Rainer Zietlow and his expedition team is to show that this alternative fuel concept is a feasible and globally available technology.
His journey around the world is, therefore, meant to prove that natural gas as a fuel constitutes a full substitute and ecological alternative for petrol and diesel. Starting from Multan, the car will go upcountry reaching Lahore on December 14. The car will leave for India through the Wagah Border on December 15, 2006. Shell Zonal Manager Amer Afghan and Iftikhar Raja also briefed about their company.