JCB Aims for the
Title of World's Fastest Diesel

JCB will attempt to break the diesel land speed record this summer at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. To reach speeds over 300 mph, JCB built one of the world's most powerful diesel engine based on the same JCB444 diesel engine the company uses in the world's best-selling backhoe loader.

By earning the title of "World's Fastest Diesel", JCB will prove the strength, performance and versatility of the JCB444 diesel engine.

JCB will challenge for the FIA Group III, Class 10 supercharged diesel streamliner record, currently held by Virgil W. Snyder, who set the record of 235.756 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on August 25, 1973.

The DIESELMAX car will be driven by RAF pilot Andy Green, who set the first-ever supersonic world land speed record at 763.035 mph in ThrustSSC in the Black Rock Desert on October 15, 1997.

"It has always been our company tradition that the way to make progress is to push forward with a sense of urgency and to seek new challenges," said Sir Anthony Bamford, Chairman, JCB. "The search for the next innovative step is the cornerstone of our business along with a strong sense of adventure."

JCB DIESELMAX is more than 29 feet long, weighs nearly three tons and is powered by two 750 bhp two-stage turbocharged JCB444 diesel engines driving through separate six-speed transmissions.

Initial vehicle testing will be conducted by Green at the Wittering Royal Air Force station, near Peterborough, England prior to the first salt testing at Bonneville during Speed Week, which runs August 12-18, 2006. The team will make its first attempt to set a new record the following week.

Source: JCB


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