Tests for JCB vehicle before land speed record bid

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News image — Tests of the Hydromax car were carried out at RAF Wittering

BBC A photograph of the JCB vehicle on a runway. It is a long vehicle with a yellow front with "JCB" on it. The back half of the car is dark green and black with white writing. To the front and back is grass and it is on a grey surface. — Tests of the Hydromax car were carried out at RAF Wittering

A JCB vehicle has entered the next phase of testing as engineers prepare to attempt a new world land speed record with a car powered by hydrogen.

The Staffordshire manufacturer said its Hydromax car had completed its first test runs under hydrogen power at RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire, ahead of a planned record attempt in the US in August.

The 32ft-long vehicle has been built to beat JCB's existing diesel land speed record of 350.092 mph, which was set in 2006 by the firm's Dieselmax car.

Powered by two hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines, producing a combined 1,600bhp, the Hydromax was unveiled at JCB's headquarters in Rocester in May.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford said on Tuesday that the project had progressed rapidly.

"Twelve months ago this car was a set of drawings being discussed by a room full of engineers,"he said.

"Today it is a reality and on wheels, running, and being tested in the UK.

"The team has done a wonderful job to get us to this point. Our focus now turns to the real challenge - setting a world hydrogen land speed record in Bonneville."

This month's tests included shakedown runs, refuelling exercises and pit-stop rehearsals ahead of Bonneville Speed Week in Utah in August, where the record attempt is expected to take place.

The Hydromax will be driven by former RAF wing commander Andy Green OBE, who also piloted Dieselmax to its record-breaking run 20 years ago.

JCB said the vehicle would consume just over two kilograms of hydrogen during a full-speed run and produce 18 litres of water as its only by-product.

A photograph of an engineer kneeling beside the engine of the vehicle — The vehicle has been built with experts at Banbury-based firm Prodrive - which has a motor sport history

Unveiling the project in May, Lord Bamford said he hoped the Hydromax could surpass the speed achieved by Dieselmax and demonstrate the potential of hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines.