JCB has succeeded in its bid to set a new Diesel Land Speed Record, with a new benchmark of 328.767mph.
With overall Land Speed Record holder Andy Green at the wheel, the twin-engined Dieselmax achieved 324.248mph on its first run over the measured mile at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. And when the car posted 333.339mph on its return run (less than one hour after the first), it fulfilled the FIA criteria for a new record. The JCB team thus eclipsed Virgil W Snyder's 235.756mph benchmark - set in 1973 - by some margin.
"This is exactly what we came to do today," said Green. "This is British engineering at its absolute best. We now have the fastest diesel in the world. We have now set two records in only four runs, which is a stunning engineering and team achievement."
JCB's Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford was present in Utah to witness the record. "It's a marvellous achievement for JCB," he said. "I am hugely proud of everyone in the JCB Dieselmax team who have designed and built the car in less than a year and made it a record breaker at the first attempt."
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