JCB DIESELMAX became the world’s fastest diesel-powered car, as Andy Green set a new FIA international record of 328.767 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah and beat the existing record by approximately 100 mph.

Running at daybreak, when course conditions were at their most suitable, Green achieved 324.248 mph (518.797 kmh) on his first run. Under FIA regulations he made his return 333.339 mph (533.342 kmh) within one hour, to secure the new record, giving the average of 328.767 mph (526.027 kmh). The previous mark, set by Virgil W. Snyder at Bonneville in the Thermo King Streamliner on Aug. 25, 1973, was 235.756 mph.

Stepping from the car Driver Andy Green said, “This is exactly what we came to do today — we now have the fastest diesel in the world.

“We have now set two records in only four runs, which is a stunning engineering and team achievement.”

“To have built the world’s fastest diesel is a stunning achievement for the whole JCB DIESELMAX team, and the car performed superbly,” said Tim Leverton, project director.

“Our goal was to set an official FIA record in excess of 300 mph, and we have achieved that, and more. The success is a tribute to everyone who has worked so tirelessly and with such passion to make JCB DIESELMAX a world record beater.”

“This is a marvelous achievement for JCB. I am hugely proud of everyone in the JCB DIESELMAX team who have designed and built the car in less than a year and made it a record breaker at the first attempt,” said Anthony Bamford, JCB’s chairman, who witnessed the record run on the Salt Flats.

JCB DIESELMAX was born from Bamford’s vision and desire to showcase the extreme performance of the JCB444 diesel engine, which normally powers the company’s backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers.