A three-man British driving team in a Land Rover Discovery II led by adventurer Mac Mackenney, has smashed the London to Cape Town overland driving record by nearly two days. The 16,000 kmes across 20 countries was achieved in 11 days and 14 hours and 11 minutes. The previous record had stood for almost 50 years.
The London to Cape Town event was one of the last great driving challenges taking the team through some of the most inhospitable areas and difficult road conditions to be found anywhere in the world.
The overland attempt was dedicated to raising funds and generating awareness for Help for Heroes and was supported by Chevron Lubricants, with the company’s Havoline products being used throughout the drive to protect and lubricate the engine.
The three-man team of Mac Mackenney, his brother Steve Mackenney and Chris Rawlings, started from the RAC Club in London’s Pall Mall on Saturday, October 16 and arrived at the AA building in the centre of Cape Town on Thursday October 28.
The attempt had the support of two patrons, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE and Sir Stirling Moss OBE.
Bryn Parry, CEO  and co-founder of Help for Heroes said: “The Max Adventure Team’s record breaking drive from London to Cape Town is a phenomenal achievement. The team has endured cramped, hot, exhausting conditions as well as overcoming numerous mechanical and administrative challenges to achieve this record and to raise much needed funds for our wounded men and women!”
The original 1963 record was set by Eric Jackson and Ken Chambers in a Ford Cortina GT and Eric, who is now retired, said: “I know how difficult the trip is and I have great admiration for Mac and the team and whilst I’d like to have kept the record for a lot longer I am delighted for Mac, Steve and Chris.”