JCB has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle, hours after the chairman of the British engineering giant warned that doing business in Britain could be "a hell of a lot better". The company's 1,597bhp Hydromax machine reached an average speed of 406.320mph on Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats, with driver Andy Green securing a third world record.
Record-breaking runs
The record-breaking attempt required the Hydromax to complete two runs in opposite directions along a 10-mile course within an hour under FIA land speed record rules. Its speed was calculated from a measured mile on each run.
Green recorded 400.623mph on his first run before reaching 412.135mph on the return. The two speeds produced an average of 406.320mph, equivalent to 663.267kmh.
Chairman's remarks
Before the official record was confirmed, JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford spoke to GB News Reporter Ben Leo at the Bonneville Salt Flats about the significance of the attempt and the future of British engineering. As he watched the vehicle hurtle across the salt flats, Lord Bamford said: "God, it is positively thrilling. My God, it's going quick, isn't it?!"
"Definitely British engineering at its best, yes. And it is showing British engineering, particularly with hydrogen as a fuel, showing it's very, very possible. No emissions, zero emissions, and all it is is basically water, H2O. That's what powers that engine. Internal combustion engine - they're not old fashioned, that is cutting edge."
Lord Bamford also argued that hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines deserved greater consideration amid concerns over the impact of petrol and diesel engines on climate change. He said: "British engineering can do this sort of thing, and this is on a world scale. If emissions are the real cause of global warming, this has zero emissions and should be looked at far more seriously than it has been."
Criticism of UK economy
The JCB chairman was also questioned about why he had remained "loyal to Britain" despite the company's international success. Lord Bamford explained: "I was 29 when I took over, and this has been going 80 years. A family company, British, but we're all around the world. I live in Britain, I am English, but we're a world company. I've travelled the world, lived overseas, I lived in America for two years, and my children were all born in America while we were here."
However, when asked whether Britain remained "still a good place for business", Lord Bamford gave a more critical assessment of the country's economy. He said: "Yes and no. It could be a hell of a lot better, but that's a different subject. And I wouldn't try and be over political, but we are in a real mess. And it is not just socialists, it is the Conservatives. They didn't do so much in the 14 years that they were in power as well."
Future prospects
The remarks came before the Hydromax completed its record-breaking runs. Ahead of the result, Lord Bamford said he hoped the vehicle would break the 400mph barrier. He said: "I have no idea what speed we hit. I know that one was 401mph or something like that, and it looked pretty damn fast to me there, very quick. And what they have to do, they have to average it out of the two to get hopefully over 400mph."
The Hydromax ultimately exceeded that target, recording an average speed of more than 406mph across the two runs. The achievement adds another world record to the career of driver Andy Green. Lord Bamford was also optimistic about JCB's prospects after the record attempt. When told that the "future of JCB looks bright", he agreed. He concluded: "Our future is very bright and it's a bright yellow."
