JCB supercar breaks 350mph barrier
The JCB Dieselmax is the fastest diesel vehicle in the world
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Wednesday, 23, Aug 2006 03:21
The JCB Dieselmax has set a new record for the fastest ever diesel-powered vehicle, with the British-designed car travelling at more than 350 miles per hour.
It comes only a day after the vehicle broke a 33-year-old record when Wing Commander Andy Green from RAF Wittering achieved a speed of 328.7mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
Although the results have yet to be ratified by FIA, the international motor sport authority, Wing Cmdr Green was in ecstatic mood after today's run.
"I am so pleased that we have got the car to 350mph, which was always our ultimate goal and that was with a slow start to the second run. There is so much more to come as the car is pulling like a train and we still haven't used sixth gear," he said.
"Today's record proves the potential we have always believed JCB Dieselmax to possess. This is another great result for a wonderful team and a testament to British engineering."
Earlier in the day, the chairman of industrial vehicle manufacturer JCB has said that his company's success in breaking the land speed record would allow the firm to venture into markets previously thought unreachable.
Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Sir Anthony Bamford said that the success of the Dieselmax project, which was powered by two-turbo charged engines, was likely to have a significant effect upon the business' overall health.
"We do make diesel engines, and what better way of showing the world that we make fantastic diesel engines and now the fastest in the world," he told Wake up to Money.
"To me is seemed a very good way of showing the world what we're capable of from an engineering point of view. But also we want to sell our engines into other markets apart from just construction machinery," the chairman explained.
Sir Anthony said that industries such as the marine business and standby generators market were two sectors that JCB could now expand into.