The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)has confirmed anew provisional World Land Speed Recordfor ahydrogen internal combustion-powered vehicle.
TheJCB Hydromax recorded a speed of 406.320 miles per hour / 653.909 kilometres per houron theBonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.
The record is set over a flying mile / kilometre subject to the ratification by the FIA Land Speed Records Commission.
The FIA has an incredible history officiating World Land Speed Records that spans over 100 years. FIA World Land Speed Records are the only globally-recognised, verified and documented achievements of what is perhaps the purest pursuit of outright speed in all motor sport. Records stretching back to the 1920s are held in the FIA Archives in Valleiry, France.
The JCB Hydromax was driven to this latest record-breaking velocity by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE.FIA regulation required he maketwo runs – one in each direction – over a distance of one mile,with the average speed across the two runs setting the record.Today’s achievement eclipses theprevious FIA-recognised hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph / 298.5 kph set in 2004 by the BMW H2R.
FIA officials worked alongside its Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee of the US (ACCUS), and the local team of experts at Bonneville to oversee the sporting and technical procedures required for an FIA World Land Speed Record attempt, including vehicle scrutineering, safety inspections, timing verification and the independent recording of the performance.
The FIA has collaborated with JCB’s engineering team since the start of the project, sharing the learnings made by the FIA Technical and Safety Department duringits initial exploration of gaseous hydrogen technologies that began back in 2021.While the federation has since switched its technical focus onto thedevelopment of liquid hydrogen storage for motor sport, the safety parameters and data collected by the Technical and Safety Department remainrelevant for categories deploying gaseous H2, including the FIA Extreme H World Cup.
The record also marksJCB’s return to Bonneville 20 years after the company’s Dieselmax, also driven by Green, established the FIA world diesel land speed record of 350.092 mph in August 2006.
As well as now being the fastest person propelled by hydrogen, Green also holds the remarkable accolade of ‘fastest person on earth’, having set the outright FIA World Land Speed Record of 763.035 mph / 1227.986 kph with ThrustSSC in 1997.While the JCB Hydromax was not built to rival the jet-propelled outright record, it has laid down an important marker in the world of motor sport and beyond – hydrogen technology is now at the cutting edge of competition.
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said:
This is a truly historic milestone for motorsport showcasing how innovation, performance, speed, and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Motorsport has always been a catalyst for technological progress pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This new land speed record continues this tradition, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion for the future of sustainable mobility.
For over 100 years, the FIA has proudly played a central role officiating land speed record attempts. I would like to thank our Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, for their support during this record attempt and offer my congratulations to Lord Bamford, Andy Green OBE, and to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement.
Daniel Coen, FIA Vice President for Sport, North America, said:
Bonneville is one of the most iconic locations in motor sport, and it is fitting to see another chapter of Land Speed Record history written here in the United States.
This achievement reflects the strength of collaboration between the FIA, ACCUS and everyone involved, while demonstrating how motor sport continues to push the boundaries of technology and innovation.
President of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, Kevin Miller, said:
Bonneville has an extraordinary place in the history of land speed records. As the FIA’s National Sporting Authority in the United States, ACCUS was proud to support the FIA and the team throughout this record attempt.
Attempts like this depend on the expertise and commitment of officials, timekeepers, marshals and volunteers working together to ensure the highest sporting and safety standards. It has been a privilege for ACCUS to play its part in helping another chapter of land speed record history be written here in the United States.
FIA Land Speed Commission President, Roger Banowetz, said:
It has been an incredible week here on the salt at Bonneville, and my sincere congratulations go to Andy Green OBE, Lord Bamford, and everyone who has been a part of this fantastic project with JCB.
It has been a truly collaborative effort between the FIA, ACCUS and JCB to bring all the necessary elements together, and all of those involved should be extremely proud.
Hydrogen power will surely be an important part of our sustainable future, and as with previous technologies, FIA Land Speed Records are an insatiable target for those wanting to push the boundaries of innovation.
Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman, said:
Twenty years ago we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again — this time with engines powered by hydrogen. This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.
Wing Commander Andy Green OBE said:
Bonneville is the spiritual home of the World Land Speed Record, and Hydromax has just written itself into that history. The car was magnificent, stable, strong and fast. To set a world record with hydrogen, twenty years after Dieselmax, is a privilege.
Source: Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
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