The reigning “fastest man on Earth” set a new world land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats thanks to a 32-foot car built by construction-equipment giant JCB. Piloted by 62-year-old Wing Commander Andy Green (also known for being the only person to break the sound barrier on land), the hydrogen-powered, twin-engine JCB Hydromax demolished the original FIA-officiated hydrogen benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004.
According to project leader Ryan Ballard, JCB Engineering Director, “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.”
Image courtesy of JCB
You read that right — a digger engine. The same engine that powers excavators, tractors, and backhoes was reworked by a team of engineers to power the Hydromax to 400.623 mph on the first run, then 412.135 mph, averaging 406.320 mph to set a new world record.
As much as this is a testament to the driver’s willpower and (obviously) speed, it’s also proof that things can be reimagined and reworked to accomplish more than someone could ever expect. (Feel free to use that the next time you need to offer encouragement to someone you know … and you’re welcome!)
Image courtesy of JCB
I suppose it’s no surprise that the Guinness World Record holder for the fastest construction vehicle also belongs to JCB, in this case a GT Backhoe loader that topped out at just over 72 mph. Granted, that one that used a Chevrolet V-8, but nonetheless it’s still a JCB.
JCB also built the Fastrac, which became the world’s fastest tractor in 2019 with a 135.191 mph run. How much more do you think you’d get done on the job site if you had a backhoe that went 72 mph and a tractor that achieved 135? I don’t know if productive is the word to use, but it feels like an entertaining thought.
