The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced that it will officiate a new hydrogen land speed record attempt led by JCB on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The British manufacturer will target a new benchmark using hydrogen internal combustion engine technology in the newly developed JCB Hydromax vehicle.

The project will see JCB return to Bonneville 20 years after its Dieselmax car, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, set the FIA world diesel land speed record of 350.092mph in August 2006, a record that still stands today.

Green, the fastest man on earth and the only person to have broken the sound barrier on land, will once again drive for JCB, this time at the wheel of the 32-foot JCB Hydromax.

The vehicle will be powered by two production-based JCB hydrogen combustion engines, producing a combined 1,600bhp. The project forms part of JCB’s wider hydrogen programme, developed over five years through a £100 million investment in hydrogen internal combustion engine technology.

Testing will begin in the UK before the team travels to Bonneville SpeedWeek, the world’s leading land speed racing event, where competitors from around the world gather to pursue speed records on the Salt Flats. The team will then remain at Bonneville to pursue officially recognised world records under FIA regulations.

The attempt brings together two organisations with significant heritage in world record competition. The FIA has overseen and recognised world land speed records for more than a century, ensuring attempts are conducted in accordance with established sporting, technical and timing procedures.

JCB has also built a strong record-breaking engineering pedigree. In addition to the 2006 FIA world diesel land speed record with Dieselmax, the JCB Fastrac tractor was recognised as the world’s fastest tractor in 2019 at 135.191mph, while the JCB GT set the world record for the fastest backhoe loader in 2014 at 72.58mph.

H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “This is a historic moment for speed, technology and innovation. JCB’s return to the Bonneville Salt Flats for the hydrogen-powered land speed record attempt is a defining chapter. It is an effort that pushes the boundaries of aerodynamics, engineering excellence and human bravery, while showcasing what is possible when ambition and innovation come together.

“From Bluebird to ThrustSSC and the new JCB Hydromax, the FIA has a proud history of certifying these historic moments. These vehicles inspire the innovators, scientists, and engineers of tomorrow. This hydrogen-powered vehicle will not just attempt to break a world record, but it will shape the future of high-speed sustainable motoring altogether.

“This world record attempt represents the pinnacle of human achievement on land and has the potential to redefine what is possible in motorsport and automotive technology.”

Malcolm Wilson OBE, FIA Deputy President for Sport, said: “The FIA has been responsible for the recognition of world land speed records for more than a century, and that responsibility remains an important part of our role as the global governing body for motor sport.

“JCB’s return to the Bonneville Salt Flats is an exciting moment, not only because of the company’s previous success with Dieselmax, but because this project demonstrates how record attempts can continue to push the boundaries of engineering and innovation. Hydrogen combustion is an area of real interest across the mobility and motor sport sectors, and the JCB Hydromax provides a powerful example of how motor sport can be used as a test bed for innovation.

“We are pleased that the FIA will officiate this attempt and look forward to working closely with the JCB team as it targets a new hydrogen land speed record.”

JCB Chairman Lord Anthony Bamford said: “Britain has a proud heritage of setting speed records and, as a British company, I’m excited to challenge for a new one using hydrogen. This is not just about speed – it’s about showcasing the world-class engineering talent we have here in the UK and the robustness of our new hydrogen engines.

“JCB Dieselmax was always a bit of an outrageous idea – but it proved a point. Putting an advanced engine into a land-speed car showed the world what it could do in a way a digger never could. It’s the same thinking with hydrogen today. If you’re serious about emissions, you have to be serious about hydrogen – and a land-speed project is the perfect way to prove it.”

ENDS

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sven Good, Road Sport Communications Manager: Sgood@fia.com

About the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.