What's the news?

Yes, you read correctly. On 4th October 2013, two Astra diesels lined up at the entrance of the High Speed Bowl at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire with the aim of cracking 12 World and six National Speed Endurance Records.

When we say "Endurance", we really do mean endurance, as both Astras were pelted around the Bowl at top speed - with their throttles pinned to the carpet - non-stop for a full 24 hours, before finally coming to rest 3,000 miles later. To cap it all off, these Astras weren't modified in order to undertake this challenge; they were run-of-the-mill, production-ready Vauxhall Astras fitted with the company's standard 2.0-litre CDTi engine.

Vauxhall is still waiting to have its record attempts verified by both the FIA and MSA. As it stands, the National 24 Hour Class Record for 1,600-2,000cc forced-induction diesel-powered production cars has been unbroken for 20 years; and no one has ever attempted to set a world record before.

Now as you would expect, driving a car at top speed for 24 hours will take its toll on both the car and the 12 drivers involved. Remarkably, the cars only suffered a total of 22 minutes downtime throughout the entire event outside of regular fuel stops and driver changes.

"We chose the 165hp 2.0 CDTi Astra for its mix of strong performance and economy,' said Simon Hucknall, Vauxhall's PR Manager. "But to be subjected to 24 hours of flat-out driving on the challenging top lane of Millbrook's High Speed Bowl it needed to be ultra-reliable, predictable and safe for our drivers."

As well as the exceptional reliability shown by the powertrains, the success of the event was also aided by Vauxhall's close collaboration with Michelin in order to lower the risk of high-speed blowouts, particularly as the steep banking would put tremendous pressure on one side of the car. Thanks to this, only one tyre change was needed per car as the record attempts were being performed. The tyre changes, refuelling, maintenance and constant monitoring of the duo was done by pit crew that usually find themselves looking after racing cars at the Nürburgring - not taking care of two standard Astras on a track in East Anglia.

In addition to the pit crews, both cars were also under close scrutiny by both the FIA and MSA to ensure they were not modified to give any advantage to the task that lay before them. As such, both governing bodies followed the cars' production from the body-in-white stage right up until the final overall checks; whereupon they installed a roll cage, racing seats and some harnesses for safety and locked them both away until the day of the event.

Anything else?

In a few weeks, Vauxhall will have its answer as to whether or not it has successfully broken its 18 record attempts. Full details will be announced when the FIA and MSA has fully ratified the attempts.