Across the red dirt of the central Australian desert, straight through a high-security military zone surrounded by unforgiving terrain, a missile blasted by, a blur of colour followed by the sweet sound of a wailing V8 engine. What was going on? It was a Guinness World Record attempt, of course – this time for the world's fastest production pick-up truck or, as the Aussies call it, the world's fastest production ute (pronounced 'yoot').
A one kilometre strip had been measured out along a straight, but bumpy, stretch of narrow road through the Woomera Prohibited Area, 500 km north of Adelaide in South Australia. The car, a VZ HSV Maloo R8, boasted a six-litre, V8 LS2 engine pumping out 297 kW at 6000 RPM. Having rolled off the production line in April this year, this muscle car was up for a challenge.

The driver was Mark Skaife, one of Australia's most legendary race car drivers and three-time Australian Touring Car champion. The previous record stood at 248.783km/hr and, for a man about to drive a lot faster than that, Skaife seemed mighty relaxed.

The first flying kilometre, into the wind, was timed at an average of 165.11 mph (265.72 km/h). The second run, in the opposite direction, averaged 172.22 mph (277.16 km/h). The record was smashed – both runs came to an average of 168.66 mph (271.44 km/h). Congratulations to the team at Australia's HSV!

Seems my neighbors were not happy about me dumping used oil in the stream in their backyard.. Ah memories.

First time I Changed a cars oil in my driveway was on my buddies El Crapino. It was also the first time I had negative dealings with the police in my hometown. Seems my neighbors were not happy about me dumping used oil in the stream in their backyard.. Ah memories.