- A professional rally team in Scotland heats its shop with three Rex Nordic diesel infrared heaters, including one that has been running for about 12 years.
- Fuel consumption is extremely low, far lower than the team’s previous loud, smelly diesel blowers.
- Reliability is described as “fantastic,” with almost no maintenance needed.
- The heaters travel with the team to international rally events to keep outdoor service areas warm.
In the Scottish Borders— where cold, damp winters are the norm— a professional rally team has built a shop environment capable of supporting world-class motorsport work. Their facility in Kelso includes multiple work zones: the main workshop, a dedicated transmission and engine rebuild room, and a paint booth. Much of the building is insulated, helping maintain consistent temperatures during heavy winter workloads.
The team runs a complete rally car program, building, preparing, repairing, and rebuilding modern race cars that compete in championships across the world. Reliability, precision, and controlled working conditions are essential for both the crew and the cars.
Twelve Years with Rex Nordic Infrared Diesel Heaters
The shop uses three Rex Nordic diesel infrared heaters, the oldest operating for roughly 12 years and still performing without issues. According to owner Dommy Buckley, Rex Nordic 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 run daily throughout the winter, from October to April. The team also brings their heaters to international rallies in France, Finland, and Norway, relying on them to keep service areas warm in harsh outdoor conditions.
Stable Heat from a Mobile Heater — Even with Doors Constantly Opening
The shop has a gable-top roof with a high peak, which naturally causes heat to rise. To counter this, the team uses a small fan to push warm air back down into the work area. Combined with Rex Nordic’s infrared technology, the setup keeps temperatures stable even when doors are frequently opening and closing. According to Buckley, “It works a treat.”
Fuel Efficiency That’s Hard to Believe
Fuel consumption is usually the first question people ask— and it’s also where the team noticed the biggest change. Buckley laughs when he talks about it: “It’s like nothing! Honestly… we’re a spreadsheet-free environment, but it’s easy to work out they’re efficient.”
Rex Nordic diesel infrared heaters are engineered to use far less fuel than traditional blown-air diesel heaters, and the team sees the difference daily, in operating costs and in overall comfort.
Before switching to Rex Nordic, they used heaters Dommy remembers all too well: “Terrible, noisy, smelly prehistoric machines.” The difference was immediate. The fuel consumption dropped dramatically, the exhaust odor disappeared, and the shop became quieter, cleaner, and much more pleasant to work in.
Maintenance and Reliability
While the team has occasionally used a Service Kit, most maintenance today is handled by Rex Nordic’s Darren, whose expertise makes the whole process effortless. Buckley says: “Darren’s skills are much better and easier to just get him to do it!”
Reliability is another strong point. Asked to summarize more than a decade of use — both in the shop and on the road — Dommy doesn’t hesitate: “F A N T A S T I C ……”
The heaters require very little attention, deliver consistent heat in any environment, and have become a trusted part of the team’s operations. Dommy recommends them widely: “I’ve recommended them to a lot of people. Any space — they work pretty much anywhere, really.”
From insulated shops to temporary outdoor service zones at international rally events, Rex Nordic diesel infrared heaters have proven to be dependable partners wherever the team goes.