JCB Hydromax Clinches SCTA Land Speed Record Ahead of FIA Attempt

JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner has clinched a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching 368.347 mph at the land speed racing event. Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the car set the new record in the SCTA Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) class at Bonneville Salt Flats at 8:50 a.m. (MDT) on Aug. 6. The success came as the engineering giant gears up for an official FIA world record attempt next week, company officials stated in a press release.

The run was completed as part of the SCTA’s Bonneville SpeedWeek, which requires teams to make two runs on consecutive days and takes the average of the maximum speeds reached. In its first run, the 32-foot-long, twin-engined JCB Hydromax recorded a speed of 367.141 mph and in its second run, reached a maximum speed of 369.554 mph, giving an average speed of 368.347 mph. The result surpasses the previous SCTA record of 348.342 mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010, marking the first time in 16 years the class record has been broken.

“To reach 368.347 mph is a fantastic achievement for the whole JCB Hydromax team,” said JCB chairman Lord Bamford. “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.”

Green, the fastest man on earth at 763.035 mph and the only person to break the sound barrier on land, said, “It has been an absolute joy to be back on the salt, racing at SpeedWeek alongside some incredible teams. 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.”

“SpeedWeek is one of the most iconic and respected events in world motorsport, bringing together competitors from around the globe who share a passion for pushing the boundaries of engineering and performance,” said JCB Hydromax project leader Ryan Ballard. “We are immensely grateful to the Southern California Timing Association for the professionalism, expertise and enthusiasm with which they organize this unique event. The SCTA’s commitment to land speed racing has created a platform where innovation can thrive and records can be challenged. It has been a privilege for JCB to compete here, and we’d like to thank everyone involved for making us feel so welcome as we strive towards even greater achievements on the Salt Flats.”

JCB Hydromax is powered by two of JCB’s own production-based hydrogen internal combustion engines. With the engines now being turned up toward their full combined output of 1,600 horsepower, the team will look to build on this SCTA record as it prepares for the FIA record attempt next week, noted the release.

JCB’s speed attempt comes ahead of the opening of the company’s new $500 million, one million-square-foot, 400-acre factory in San Antonio, Texas, which will employ 1,500 people, manufacturing machines for the U.S. market.