Airrex Diesel Heaters Keep a Scottish Rally Workshop Running
A professional rally team in Scotland heats its workshop with three Airrex diesel infrared heaters, the oldest of which has been operating for around 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 required. The heaters travel with the team 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 created a workshop environment capable of meeting 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 the winter workloads. The team operates a full rally car programme, building, preparing, repairing, and rebuilding modern machines that compete in championships across the globe. Reliability, precision, and well-controlled working conditions are essential — both for the team and for the cars. Twelve Years with Airrex Infrared Heaters The workshop runs three Airrex diesel infrared heaters, the oldest of which has been in continuous use for roughly twelve years and still performs flawlessly. 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 run every day throughout the winter, from October to April. The team also transports their Airrex heaters to colder international rallies in France, Finland, and Norway, relying on them to warm service areas in harsh outdoor conditions. Stable Heat from a Mobile Heater — Even with Doors Constantly Opening The workshop has a gable-top roof with a high peak, which can easily allow warm air to rise and escape. To counter this, the team uses a small fan to push warm air back down into the work area. Combined with Airrex’s infrared technology, this keeps the space warm and consistent even when doors are frequently opened. According to 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 where the team has seen one of the biggest improvements. 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.” Airrex diesel infrared heaters are designed to use significantly less fuel than traditional blown-air diesel units, and the team experiences this every day in both 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 difference was immediate. With Airrex, fuel consumption dropped sharply, exhaust odour disappeared, and the workshop 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 is now handled by Rex Nordic’s Darren, whose expertise makes the whole process effortless. As Buckley says: “Darren’s skills are much better and easier to just get him to do it!” Reliability is another area where the heaters shine. When asked to summarise over a decade of use — both in the workshop and on the road — Dommy doesn’t hesitate: “F A N T A S T I C ……” The heaters require very little attention, deliver stable 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. All spaces — they work anywhere, really.” From insulated workshops to temporary outdoor service zones at international rally events, Airrex diesel infrared heaters have proved 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