- Record runs set under FIA competition rules
- Brembo brakes – and tyre spikes – to stop on the ice
- 12km track – even a Jeep needs space to stop!
LAKE BAIKAL, Russia – A Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has set a speed record for sport utility vehicles on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal in Russia.
The Russian Automobile Federation has confirmed that the Trackhawk scored a flying-start speed of of 257km/h over a measured kilometre and an average speed from stationary of more than 100km/h.
The maximum speed on ice according to GPS trackers was 280km/h, set on ice tyres studded with ice spikes – specifically Latitude X-Ice North 2+ 111T XL, according to Jeep.
The Trackhawk therefore backed up its claim as the world’s most-powerful mass-produced SUV with its 530kW, 6.2-litre, V8 engine. Despite its impressive dimensions, the Trackhawk can reach 100km/h in 3.7sec and has a maximum speed of 290km/h.
Jeep says participation in this event placed a serious load on the braking system due to the specifics of the Baikal ice. The surface, in sunlight, is covered in a grip-reducing film of water. However, even in such conditions, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk demonstrated excellent results when braking thanks to its Brembo braking system.
Traction came from Jeep’s Quadra-Trac on-demand all-wheel-drive which includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential, single-speed active transfer case, and a Selec-Track system with five dynamic modes – Auto, Sport, Track, Snow and Tow.
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”That choice,” Jeep says, ”allows the driver to choose a setting that ideally meets any requirement and ambient conditions – including ice-driving.
”Unnecessary items were removed from the Trackhawk before the high-speed run and it was checked that the fuel level was sufficient.”
Each run was conducted under regulations set by the Russian arm of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and dictated that the timing gates should be passed in both directions, with the judges calculating the average result.
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The total course length was 12km to allow for acceleration and braking, Additionally, the absolute maximum speed achieved in each run was included in the official Book of Records of Russia.
The first Baikal Ice Festival Speed Days were held in 2011. Since then more than 20 such records have been set on the ice in various categories. Every run is traditionally conducted on natural bare ice and preparation of the route is limited to the removal of obstacles (packed snow, ice hummocks).
Achievements are recorded by licensed judges from the Russian Automobile Federation using timekeeping equipment approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
