JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax has set a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) speed record, reaching an average speed of 368.347 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The record in the SCTA’s Blown Gas Streamliner class surpassed the previous record of 348.42 mph, set 16 years ago by the Spectre Streamliner, according to JCB’s press release.

The vehicle was driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, OBE, who holds the world land speed record and is the only person to have broken the sound barrier in a land vehicle.

“It has been an absolute joy to be back on the salt, racing at Speed Week alongside some incredible teams,” Green said. “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 record-breaking run took place during Bonneville Speed Week, which requires teams to make two runs on consecutive days. The official record is based on the average of the maximum speeds reached during both runs, according to JCB.

During its first run, the 32-foot-long twin-engine Hydromax reached 367.141 mph. On the second run, the vehicle reached 369.544 mph, resulting in an average speed of 368.347 mph.

JCB’s next goal is to attempt to the break the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) world speed record.

“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,” JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said. “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.”

The Hydromax team remained at Bonneville following Speed Week to pursue the FIA world record. The company’s test program has completed 44 runs to date, building speed and confidence in the vehicle as the team continues testing hydrogen combustion technology.

The Hydromax is powered by JCB’s production-based hydrogen internal combustion engines., which have been increased toward their full combined output of 1,600 horsepower.

The project builds on JCB’s history of using its equipment and engine technology in high-speed applications. The company’s Dieselmax streamliner set the world diesel land speed record at 350.092 mph in 2006. JCB also holds records for the world’s fastest tractor, which reached 135.191 mph in 2019, and the fastest backhoe loader, which reached 72.58 mph in 2014.

Source: JCB