JCB Hydromax clinches SCTA speed record ahead of upcoming FIA world record attempt
JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax made the perfect preparation for its upcoming FIA world record speed attempt by clinching a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The 32ft long Hydromax — piloted by Wing Commander Andy Green — set a new record in the SCTA Blown Gas Streamliner class with a speed of 368.347mph during the Bonneville Speed Week, the world’s most renowned land speed racing event.
The event required JCB to make two runs on consecutive days, taking the average of the maximum speeds reached on each day. The first day’s run saw the Hydromax record a speed of 367.141mph, before a second day improvement of 369.554mph, giving an average speed of 368.347mph for a new SCTA record.
The previous SCTA record was held by Spectre Streamliner, which managed 348.342 mph in 2010.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “To reach 368.347mph is a fantastic achievement for the whole JCB Hydromax team. 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.”
One record down, one to go
Attention will now turn to the upcoming FIA world record bid, where JCB will look to maximise the entire 1,600hp output from the two hydrogen internal combustion engines back at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Preparation has been rigorous, with the JCB Hydromax team having completed 44 runs as part of a strict testing programme to build confidence ahead of the big day.
After breaking the SCTA record, Andy Green said: “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 land speed record isn’t the only activity JCB has going on in the United States, with the company’s new $500 million, one million sq. ft, 400-acre factory in San Antonio, Texas set to officially open. The factory will employ 1,500 people and manufacture machines for the US market.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: JCB