JCB sets new world land speed record

Consumer Editor

4 minute read|19th Aug 2026

JCB, the British engineering giant, has set a new world land speed record of 406.32 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in northwestern Utah, USA.

The hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax recorded 400.623 mph in its first run, and 412.123 mph on its second run – with the average taken as the new record.

Driven by Wing Commander and world-renowned driver Andy Green OBE, the two 10-mile runs required under FIA rules - one in each direction within an hour – easily surpassed the previous hydrogen-powered benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004.

JCB have now claimed the Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 FIA World Flying Start Land Speed Record using two of its own production-based hydrogen engines.

Built at the company’s Foston factory in Derbyshire, the pair generated a combined output of 1,600 bhp.

The 32-foot long Hydromax also surpassed the diesel land speed record – also held by JCB – of 350.092 mph. Green was also behind the wheel in 2006 for this achievement.

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford 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.”

President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, continued: “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.”

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Famous motorsport world records

Here are 10 of the famous motorsport world records:

Absolute Land Speed Record – Andy Green. 763.035 mph on 15 October 1997. The only person to ever break the sound barrier
Highest Formula 1 top speed – Valtteri Bottas. 234 mph at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in 2016
Fastest Le Mans 24 Hours lap time: Neel Jani. A 3min 16.887sec lap set in a Porsche 919 in June 2015
Longest distance set at Le Mans 24 Hour: 3,360 set at 2010 event
Most Formula 1 World Titles: 7 titles, tied between Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher
Highest Isle of Man TT top speed: Peter Hickman. Hit a speed of 136.358 mph in 2023
Most Isle of Man TT wins: Michael Dunlop broke the record in 2024 to claim his 29^th victory
Most MotoGP Wins: Valentino Rossi. 86 wins over a 14-year career
Highest speed ever recorded at MotoGP: 229mph set by Jorge Martin in Italy in May 2026
Highest average speed at the World Rally Championships: Matti Latvala. Achieved 77.94 mph at Rally Finland in August 2015

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