Lubricants major Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd and OVERDRIVE, India’s No. 1 Car & Bike magazine, announce the successful completion of the Gulf OVERDRIVE Endurance Xtreme Challenge 2008. Riders Karanbir Singh and Pankaj Trivedi rode their way into the Limca Book of Records by successfully completing the run from Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost tip to Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable road up in the Himalayas, in 5 days, 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Karanbir and Pankaj traversed a distance of about 3,800 kms across 9 Indian states and 22 cities, and in the process demolished the existing record of 7 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes. The bikers accomplished the feat on Hero Honda Karizmas protected by Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30, the new 4 stroke engine oil from Gulf Oil with Pentatec Advantage.
A true test of endurance under extreme conditions, testing the endurance of the riders, bikes, components and lubricants, the Gulf OVERDRIVE Endurance Xtreme Challenge 2008 was flagged off at Kanyakumari on 27 May 2008 evening. Karanbir and Pankaj rode non-stop for 27 straight hours and reached Hyderabad at 2 am on day two. A few hours of sleep later the determined riders were on the road again riding under the scorching sun of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, braving day time temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. Another short nap and the bikers found themselves battling their way through unruly trucks, busses and cattle across India’s treacherous state highways en route to Jammu & Kashmir. Transitioning from the scorching sun to the biting chills of the mountains is no mean feat; the determined riders navigated their way through gruelling mountain roads before arriving at Khardungla on the morning on June 02, 2008.
Karanbir Singh, OVERDRIVE’s motorsport ink-man has been a Team TVS and Team Yamaha rally team rider. His participation in four Raid de Himalayas (the world’s highest motorsport event) brough rich experience of the terrain and extreme climatic conditions in the hills. He personifies the adventurous spirit of OVERDRIVE besides lending his expertise to the challenging expedition. Pankaj Trivedi of India Outdoors fame is a world record holder and a successful adventurer, he recently rode from London to Marsimik La. He brought his mountaineering and biking experiences to the expedition.
Hero Honda facilitated the challenge with two Hero Honda Karizma Motorcycles, spares and support.
The expedition was unique in its own way considering that such a long distance was traversed in a short span of 5 days, 5 hours and 45 minutes battling tough and treacherous roads under extreme climatic conditions. This posed a tough challenge and demanded a reliable performance from all the components supported by effective lubrication under gruelling conditions of continuous high speed-non stop operation at extreme temperatures. Under these arduous conditions, Gulf Pride 4T Plus 10W-30 effectively provided a reliable performance offering a safe, comfortable ride and ensured smooth & successful completion of the expedition in record time.
Mr. R. Varadarajan – V.P.Sales & Marketing while congratulating the riders mentioned that successful completion of the expedition signifies the values f the Gulf Brand – ENDURANCE, CARE, COURAGE, INSPIRATION & YOUTH.