Airrex Diesel Heaters Power a Scottish Rally Workshop
A professional rally team in Scotland heats its workshop with three Airrex diesel infrared heaters, the oldest in use for ~12 years. Fuel consumption is extremely low and noticeably lower than their previous noisy, smelly diesel blowers. Reliability is described as “fantastic,” with minimal maintenance needed. The heaters are also transported to international rally events to keep service areas warm. In the Scottish Borders, where cold, damp winters are a part of daily life, a professional rally team has built a workshop environment that keeps pace with the demands of world-level motorsport. Their facility in Kelso includes several work areas: the main workshop, a dedicated transmission and engine rebuild room, and a paint shop. Much of the building is insulated, helping maintain stable temperatures during intensive winter workloads. The team runs a full rally car programme, building, preparing, repairing, and rebuilding modern machines that compete in championships across the world. Reliability, precision, and properly controlled working conditions are essential — both for the crew and the cars. Twelve Years with Airrex Infrared Heaters The workshop operates three Airrex diesel infrared heaters, the oldest of which has been running for around 12 years, still performing without issues. According to owner Dommy Buckley, Airrex stood out immediately: “They’re a class apart. Very economical and so clean burning. You can’t get better.” The heaters are used seasonally but continuously throughout the winter, from October to April, non-stop every day. The team even transports their diesel heaters to colder international rally events in France, Finland, and Norway, relying on them to keep service areas warm in harsh outdoor conditions. Stable Heat from a Space Heater — Even with Doors Opening The workshop features a gable-top roof with a high peak, which can easily lead to rising heat loss. To compensate, the team uses a small air-blower fan to push warm air back down to the work area. Together with Airrex’s infrared heating technology, it keeps the space warm and consistent even when doors are constantly opening. According to owner Dommy Buckley, “It works a treat.” Fuel Efficiency That’s Hard to Believe Fuel consumption is one of the first things people ask about — and it’s also where the workshop has seen one of the biggest differences. When talking about it, Buckley can’t help but laugh: “It’s like nothing! Honestly… we’re a spreadsheet-free environment, but it’s easy to work out they’re efficient.” Airrex diesel infrared heaters are designed to use far less fuel than traditional blown-air diesel units, and the team sees this daily in both their running costs and overall comfort. Before switching to Airrex, they relied on older heaters that Dommy remembers all too well: “Terrible, noisy, smelly prehistoric machines.” The contrast was immediate. With Airrex, fuel use dropped sharply, the exhaust smell disappeared, and the workshop environment became quieter, cleaner, and far more pleasant to work in. Maintenance and Reliability of Their Diesel Heaters While the team has occasionally used a Service Kit, most of the maintenance today is handled by Rex Nordic’s Darren, whose expertise has made the whole process effortless. As Buckley puts it: “Darren’s skills are much better and easier to just get him to do it!” Reliability is another area where the heaters have stood out. When asked to summarise their performance over more than a decade of use at the workshop — and on the road — Dommy doesn’t hesitate: “F A N T A S T I C ……” The heaters require minimal attention, deliver consistent heat regardless of the environment, and have become a trusted part of the team’s operation. Dommy has recommended them widely: “I’ve recommended them to a lot of people. All spaces — they work anywhere, really.” From insulated workshops to temporary outdoor service zones at international rally events, Airrex diesel infrared heaters have proven to be dependable partners wherever the team goes. Motorsport Workshop (Scotland) Type: Rally car workshop Structure: Mostly insulated, gable-top roof Heating: Three Airrex diesel infrared heaters (oldest ~12 years) Usage: Daily from October–April Previous heating: Noisy, smelly, blown-air diesel units Fuel use: Very low (“like nothing”) Reliability: Excellent, trouble-free Maintenance: Minimal; serviced by Rex Nordic technician Extra use: Taken to rally events abroad