Iconic British manufacturer JCB has achieved a new land speed record, with its hydrogen-powered Hydromax achieving a top speed of more than 368mph.
The Hydromax clinched a new speed record on the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, clocking a staggering 368.347mph.
Powered by hydrogen, the Hydromax streamliner smashed a record in the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) class.
JCB targeted the SCTA’s renowned Bonneville Speed Week to clinch the record, which is often referred to as the nation’s premier land speed racing event.
It requires teams to make two runs on consecutive days, with judges then taking the average of the maximum speeds achieved.
The Hydromax was driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, who holds the world land speed record, and remains the only person to break the sound barrier on land.
Mr Green was behind the wheel of the Thrust SuperSonic Car, and reached a top speed of 763.035mph, or almost 1,228km/h in 1997.
Commenting on the record, he said it was “an absolute joy” to be back on the salt flats, praising other teams competing at Speed Week.
JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax has broken a new land speed record
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JCB
He continued, saying: “The Bonneville Salt Flats are the home of the World Land Speed Record, where racers get to push the boundaries of physics and innovation.
“This record has given all of us huge confidence in the car, the team and the quality of the engineering. With our first record in the bag, we’re now turning up the power on the engines, aiming to go even faster next week.”
The JCB Hydromax will now go for an outright FIA world record bid, which aims to “write a new chapter in hydrogen-powered motorsport history”.
It is powered by JCB’s own production-based hydrogen internal combustion engines with a combined output of 1,600hp.
Andy Green OBE operated the JCB Hydromax during the drive
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JCB
The 32-foot-long Hydromax reached a maximum speed of 369.554mph, with an average speed of 368.347mph.
This surpasses the previous SCTA record of 348.342 mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010 at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
JCB’s team has already completed 44 runs of the Hydromax on a strict test programme as they “push the limits of hydrogen combustion technology and showcase British engineering to a global audience”.
Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB, said: “To reach 368.347mph is a fantastic achievement for the whole JCB Hydromax team.
The JCB Hydromax will go for an official FIA world record attempt next week
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JCB
“It shows just what JCB’s hydrogen engines are capable of ahead of our outright FIA world record attempt.
“This project is about proving that hydrogen power can perform at the very highest level with zero emissions, and today’s result is powerful evidence of that.”
JCB has a long history of smashing speed records, having clinched the diesel land speed record with the Dieselmax in 2006, reaching 350.092mph.
It has also developed the world’s fastest tractor (135.191mph) with the Fastrac in 2019, as well as the JCB GT achieving the world record for fastest backhoe loader (72.58mph).