JCB Hydromax sets world record at 406 mph

The Hydromax team celebrate with JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford (center) after the world record was awarded by FIA. (Photo: Becky Schultz)

After breaking the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) record in the Blown Gas Streamliner class (AA/BGS, 500+ cu. in.) with a run of 368.347 mph last week, JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph today at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The car recorded the average speed of 400.623 mph in its first run this morning, and 412.135 mph on its second run, giving the average of 406.320 mph – the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever traveled, the company stated. The speed also far exceeds the 303-mph hydrogen fuel cell mark.

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twin engine, 32-ft. car completed the two runs required under Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) rules – one in each direction within an hour – comfortably beating the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004. 

The Category A, Group XIV - Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record* was set by the Hydromax using two of JCB’s production-based hydrogen engines, which generated a combined 1,600 bhp. The engines were manufactured at the company’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, UK, and are the same engines now powering JCB machines and equipment rolling off production lines as part of the company’s £100 million hydrogen program.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford speaking following the Hydromax’s record run. (Photo: Becky Schultz)

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford has led JCB’s hydrogen engine project and came up with the idea of a hydrogen world land speed record bid early last year. The record run coincides with the 20th anniversary of the JCB Dieselmax setting the world diesel land speed at 350.092 mph on the same site and with the same driver in August 2006.

“Twenty years ago, we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again — this time with engines powered by hydrogen,” Lord Bamford stated shortly after the successful run. “This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.”

JCB Engineering Director Ryan Ballard, who is leading the project, added, “This record belongs to the engineering team which took a hydrogen digger engine and made it the fastest of its kind on earth. This has been an amazing challenge from the outset of it being set in February last year. We came here fully prepared, and the car delivered.”

*The record is subject to official ratification by the FIA, the global governing body for motorsport.