Goodyear eco-challenge ends in Oz

With all the news recently of 'green' passenger car tests, it should be noted Goodyear Tyres has sponsored a worldwide eco driving challenge since 1999. In addition to proving the worth of the brand's rubber over long distances to remote areas, the aim of the "eco mission" was also to report on various issues at places of environmental significance.

The first event in North America took in 12,000km, then ten countries and 9400km across Europe the following year, and five countries in North Sahara covering 7300km in 2001.

Those treks were completed driving a first-generation Toyota Prius. By the time of the second-generation model, the team -- consisting of Japanese driver Kiichiro Yokota (pictured) and support crew -- took part in the Beijing-Ulaanbaatar International Eco Challenge in 2005 and 2006 covering 2711km and 3413km respectively.

In 2007 the team crossed nine countries and 13,715km from Beijing to Paris. According to Goodyear it was the first Eurasia continent crossing made in a Prius. The team reported on the status of the Silk Road, saying it was "transforming rapidly, shaken by resources developments and the change in political situations."

The Prius wore Goodyear's Eagle RV tyres incorporating early 'hybrid' rubber layer technology. In this case, the term hybrid refers to the structure of the tyre which incorporates an over-layer and edge layer, and non-vibrating rubber for low rolling resistance.

In 2008, Kiichiro and crew took on South America and 14,269km on Eagle RV-S Hybrid tyres. The team members proved theirs and the Prius' "adaptation to height" by travelling through the Andes Mountains at 4562m. Goodyear's RV series uses what it calls 'Bio-TRED': composed of "Bio Filler" made of natural corns, water-repellent silica and natural rubber.

For this year's event the third-generation Prius made the trek around Australia, also shod with Goodyear Eagle RV-S tyres. This time the journey was called 'Eco Camp' due to its focus on environmentally friendly outdoor recreation and camping. Starting from the Opera House, Kiichiro and the seven-man crew spent a month (July to August) travelling 13,494km to places like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane and animal shelters in Perth, Adelaide and Kinglake. The team also visited recent bushfire zones including Beechworth and reported on Australia's Flying Doctor Service based in Alice Springs.

We met Kiichiro at last month's Tokyo motor show, in attendance for Goodyear's Japan operations. The aging yet youthful hippy is head of Team ACP and its eco-quests, and in 1979 raced the Paris-Dakar Rally.

Australia's drought-affected regions were a focus for Kiichiro, but he's most impressed by efforts made to take care of our beaches.

"Even on a remote beach, there were signboards with environmental protection rules and many volunteers were seen cleaning the beach," he said.

"It was not only on the shores but also in the wilderness of the outback and the forests that my impression of high standard didn't change."

See the map, pictured, for the Eco-Camp tour of Australia and the road trip schedule, below. And if you're fluent in Japanese, visit team-acp.co.jp

Eco-Camp Australia legs
Port Kembla - Sydney 81km
Sydney - Ballina 740km
Ballina - Brisbane 190km
Brisbane - Roma 473km
Roma - Barcaldine 594km
Barcaldine - Winton 656km
Winton - Camooweal 592km
Camooweal - Tennant Creek 181km
Tennant Creek - Arice Springs 510km
Arice Springs - Yulara 454km
Yulara - Warakurna 340km
Warakurna - Tjukayirla  486km
Tjukayirla - Laverton 300km
Laverton - Kalgoorlie 347km
Kalgoorlie - Perth 598km
Perth - Albany 430km
Albany - Esperance 473km
Esperance - Fraser Range 308km
Fraser Range - Cocklebiddy 340km
Cocklebiddy - Eucla 270km
Eucla - Fowlers Bay 215km
Fowlers Bay - Ceduna 297km
Ceduna - Cowell 370km