Nissan Patrol sets world record

As part of the 'Nissan Patrol Challenge', an ongoing series of fan-inspired challenges that have been held in the Middle East since 2012, a Nissan Patrol Y62 this week became a new holder of the "heaviest object pulled by any production vehicle" Guinness World Record.

The event, held at Sharjah International Airport, UAE, saw an unmodified production Nissan Patrol haul a 170.9 ton cargo plane, inclusive of weight of the plane, fuel and the cargo for over 50 metres, smashing the previous record by 15 tonnes.

The record attempt was supported by Sharjah International Airport and held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Civil Aviation of Sharjah. In order to express its thanks for its invaluable support, Nissan shared this accolade with Sharjah International Airport.

Mr. Samir Cherfan, Managing Director, Nissan Middle-East said: "Today Nissan celebrates another landmark day in the Middle East with its second Guinness World Record in eight months.

"When we began this project we encouraged the people of the Middle East to dream up the next and ultimate challenge for the Hero of All Terrain, Nissan Patrol. The overwhelming response has been the inspiration for today's historic events and we thank all who participated and His Excellency and the Sharjah International Airport for their priceless cooperation.

"The Guinness World Record for Nissan Patrol achieved here motivates us to ensure we deliver 'Innovation that Excites' in everything we do in the Middle East region."

The 'Nissan Patrol Challenge' was launched in 2012 and invited the region's people to share online their ideas for innovative tests for the Patrol, with the chance of winning an once-in-a-lifetime trip to Japan and other prizes.

The result of this successful competition resulted in the Guinness World Record when Nissan Patrol comfortably dragged the Ilyushin Il-76 with a laden weight of 170.9 tons. In keeping with the indomitable Hero of All Terrain's reputation, the Ilyushin Il-76 is known as one of the world's toughest cargo planes, designed to be able to deliver cargo and take-off and land to some of the world's most extreme environments.

Mr Saleh Al Aroud, Chairman of RUS Aviation whose company supplied the Ilyushin IL-76 to be towed said, "A successful company is always pushing the boundaries - making the exceptional appear normal, and setting its own challenges.

"We are pleased and honoured to be part of the Nissan Patrol Challenge in their bid for a Guinness World Record, and delighted that it is being held in the United Arab Emirates - a country of vision, where a positive attitude makes anything possible".

The Nissan Patrol has a rich heritage in the Middle East Region as one of the world's most iconic off-road vehicles and has been in series production since the 1950s.

The first Nissan Patrol in the Middle East arrived in Kuwait in 1956 and since then has built a reputation for being one of the most durable, reliable and capable - and popular - off-roaders on the market.

Images: Nissan