JCB DIESELMAX BECOMES WORLD’S FASTEST DIESEL AT 328 MPH (529.099 KPH)

23 Aug 06. JCB DIESELMAX yesterday became the world’s fastest diesel-powered car, as Andy Green set a new FIA international record of 328.767 mph (529.099 kph) on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah and beat the existing record by almost 100 mph. The JCB team will make a further attempt to raise the record today.

Running at daybreak, when course conditions were at their most suitable, Green achieved 324.248 mph (518.797 kph) on his first run. Under FIA regulations, he made his return 333.339 mph (533.342 kph) within one hour, giving an average of 328 mph and securing a new land speed record. The previous mark, set by Virgil W Snyder at Bonneville in the Thermo King Streamliner on August 25 1973, was 235.756 mph (377.205 kph).

Sir Anthony Bamford, JCB Chairman, who witnessed the record run on the Salt Flats, said: “This is a marvellous achievement for JCB and a wonderful tribute to British engineering. 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 record breaker at the first attempt.”

Stepping from the car, Green said: “This is exactly what we came here to do – 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.”

“To have built the world’s fastest diesel is a stunning achievement for the whole JCB DIESELMAX team, and the car performed superbly,” commented a delighted Dr Tim Leverton, Project Director.

“Our goal was to set an official FIA record in excess of 300 mph and we have achieved that, and more. The success is a tribute to everyone who has worked so tirelessly and with such passion to make JCB DIESELMAX a world beater.”

JCB DIESELMAX was born from Sir Anthony’s vision and desire to showcase the extreme performance of the JCB444 diesel engine which normally powers the company’s backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers.

Stop Press: as we went to Press JCB announced that they had beaten the record again today and set a speed of 350mph (365 in one direction 335 the other)