As the 2017 ALD Automotive Fleet World MPG Marathon gets underway, RAC Patrol of the Year Chris Burgess is joining the line-up of competitors looking to prove their eco-driving skills over the next two days.
The 42-year-old from Newbury has been an RAC Patrol for 17 years, and in May he was named as the RAC’s Patrol of the Year – an award made to the patrol that has given outstanding customer service and technical performance throughout the year.
The accolade entitles the winner to a new vehicle with the P1 RAC number plate and it’s this vehicle – a VW Transporter T6 – that Chris is putting to the test in the MPG Marathon challenge over the next two days, setting off from the Forest of Arden Hotel in the West Midlands.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity to put the new van through its paces and get a very accurate idea of its MPG when fully loaded with the 500 parts and tools that we carry to help our members at the roadside.
“The van is a bit special this year as we are celebrating 120 years so it has the anniversary livery as well as the P1 RAC number plate.
“It’s turning into a bit of a tradition for the RAC Patrol of the Year to take part so I’m hoping to do as well as the last two, or better!”
Chris is joined by colleagues from the RAC Fuel Patrol team who are supporting drivers throughout the event.
RAC Business sales director Roger Williams said: “This is the third year RAC Business has supported the MPG Marathon and we’re proud to be involved once again.
“As an event the MPG Marathon is a really key exercise in helping fleets, including our own, understand the real-world fuel efficiency of vehicles in a range of classes, which is data that can potentially help manage fuel costs better.
“In addition it’s a fantastic setting among the Warwickshire countryside, and a great opportunity for motoring industry figures to get together to share experiences and talk about the latest developments in fuel efficiency and emerging technology.”
The event also sees fleet tracking specialist Crystal Ball once more provide live tracking data, via its FleetTracker solution, which is enabling analysis of the routes taken and the methods used by drivers to minimise fuel consumption over the next two days.
To find out more about the event and follow competitors’ progress live, visit www.thempgmarathon.co.uk.
