Hydromax gears up for LSR attempt with new Bonneville record

JCB's hydrogen-powered Hydromax car has set a new Bonneville speed record ahead of its FIA world speed record attempt next week.

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twin-digger-engined JCB Hydromax achieved a speed of 368.347 mph on Thursday morning, setting a new record in the Southern California Timing Association's Blown Gas Streamliner class.

“It has been an absolute joy to be back on the salt, racing at Speed Week alongside some incredible teams,” said Green, who also holds the outright land speed record of 763.035 mph in the ThrustSSC and is the only person to break the sound barrier on land. “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 run was a part of the famed Bonneville Speed Week on the salt flats in Utah, and came in the form of two runs on consecutive days, with an average between the two being taken. Wednesday’s run cloaked a top speed of 367.141 mph with Thursday’s being slightly faster at 369.554 mph. JCB Hydromax’s record beat the previous SCTA Blown Gas Streamliner class record of 348.342 mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010.

“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.”

First unveiled back in May, JCB Hydromax is the latest in a line of record-breakers from the British heavy machinery manufacturer, following on from 2006’s diesel land speed record car, Dieselmax, the JCB GT setting the world record for the fastest backhoe loader at 72.58 mph in 2014, and the JCB Fastrac tractor becoming the world’s fastest tractor at 135.191 mph in 2019.

Hydromax used lessons learned from the Dieselmax program two decades ago, and once again utilizes engines from JCB’s production line – two turbocharged four-cylinder units modified to put out a combined 1,600 hp. Following its unveiling, the car went through an extensive testing program in the UK, completing 44 runs at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire before heading to the U.S.

With the Speed Week record now in the books, JCB’s attention now turns to the FIA world land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles which it will attempt to set next week.

“Speed Week 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.”