Found this on the news feed today. If you're not an Apple News person, the article came from Road & Track magazine.
https://apple.news/Ah8bMPnH4SFSNI8ci0WJdGg
Thank you for posting this. Great article.
Best of luck to Andy Green and the rest of that team.
Hydrogen as an internal combustion fuel was first run at Bonneville in 1981... 1 liter turbo motor in a 1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato... Went about 70 MPH... Driver Johnboy Gowetski...
Just a little history for all y'all :cheers:
FIA record in the bag!
406.320mph (subject to confirmation ...).
https://www.jcb.com/en-GB/campaigns/jcb-hydromax/
From the link:
JCB Hydromax: The power behind our new land speed record.
20 years on from the JCB Dieselmax breaking the world diesel land speed record at an incredible 350.092mph, JCB Hydromax has set a new world land speed record of 406.320mph.
The team returned to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah for the record attempt, where the car recorded the average speed 400.623mph in its first run, and 412.135mph on its second run. This gave an average of 406.320mph – the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled.
The speed also exceeds the 303mph hydrogen fuel cell mark – making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history. Let's delve into the detail behind this record-breaking vehicle.
Quote from: WOODY@DDLLC on August 12, 2026, 06:42:54 AMhttps://www.jcb.com/en-GB/campaigns/jcb-hydromax/
From the link:
JCB Hydromax: The power behind our new land speed record.
20 years on from the JCB Dieselmax breaking the world diesel land speed record at an incredible 350.092mph, JCB Hydromax has set a new world land speed record of 406.320mph.
The team returned to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah for the record attempt, where the car recorded the average speed 400.623mph in its first run, and 412.135mph on its second run. This gave an average of 406.320mph – the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled.
The speed also exceeds the 303mph hydrogen fuel cell mark – making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history. Let's delve into the detail behind this record-breaking vehicle.
Well..Ferguson Racing went 397mph with a single American motor :cheers:
When did this happen, who timed it?
Not in speed week results.
JL222
As a guess, they stayed on and had FIA timekeepers on hand?
Tim (the Keyboard Racer :huh:)
That is scooting right along.
Good job, JCB!
Driver Andy Green reported wheelspin in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. Since the car has plenty of
power, it could probably go faster with some added downforce to provide more traction. This could
be done using aerodynamics, or ballast. I could easily imagine this car exceeding the existing
wheel-driven record speed some day, and would love to be there to see it happen.
Quote from: tallguy on August 12, 2026, 08:58:34 PM...
I could easily imagine this car exceeding the existing
wheel-driven record speed some day, and would love to be there to see it happen.
Good luck with that!
I think JCB have achieved their objectives and Hydromax will never run again. I'd love to be wrong though ...
Quote from: JAL AKA JL222 on August 12, 2026, 02:51:52 PMWhen did this happen, who timed it?
Not in speed week results.
JL222
From the JCB website, https://www.jcb.com/en-GB/explore/insight/news/
JCB's hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner today clinched an SCTA speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats – reaching 368.347mph at the world's leading land speed racing event.
Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the car set a new record in the Southern California Timing Association's (SCTA) Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) class at Bonneville Salt Flats at 8:50am today (MDT), recording a speed of 368.347 mph.
The success came as the engineering giant gears up for an official FIA world record attempt next week.
The run was completed as part of the Southern California Timing Association's (SCTA) renowned Bonneville Speed Week, regarded as the world's premier land speed racing event, which requires teams to make two runs on consecutive days and takes the average of the maximum speeds reached.
With the SCTA challenge behind it and valuable data gathered, the JCB team is now focussing on next week's outright Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) world record bid, where the JCB Hydromax will attempt to write a new chapter in hydrogen-powered motorsport history.
JCB Hydromax is powered by two of JCB's own production-based hydrogen internal combustion engines. With the engines now being turned up towards their full combined output of 1,600hp, the team will look to build on this SCTA record as it prepares for the FIA record attempt next week.
Bonneville Speed Week is the world's leading land speed racing event, run by the SCTA, which governs and verifies official class records at the event. Following Speed Week, the JCB Hydromax team is remaining at Bonneville to pursue officially recognised world records under the FIA, the global governing body for motorsport. The JCB Hydromax team has been running to a strict test programme, completing 44 runs to date, building speed and confidence in the car as they push the limits of hydrogen combustion technology and showcase British engineering to a global audience.
JCB's speed attempt comes ahead of the opening of the company's new $500 million, one million sq. ft, 400-acre factory in San Antonio, Texas, which will employ 1,500 people, manufacturing machines for the US market.
The week after Speedweek,
British engineering giant JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax.
The car recorded the average speed 400.623 mph in its first run this morning across the Bonneville Salt Flats, and 412.135 mph on its second run, giving the average of 406.320 mph - the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled.
Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twin engined, 32-foot car completed the two runs required under FIA rules - one in each direction within an hour - comfortably beating the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004. The record is subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport.
In doing so, JCB Hydromax surpassed the 350.092 mph world diesel land speed record set by JCB Dieselmax — also driven by Green, on the same salt, in August 2006. Twenty years on, JCB has beaten its own benchmark with an engine that produces no CO₂ at the tailpipe.
The speed also exceeds the 303 mph hydrogen fuel cell mark — making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history.
The record - set in the Category A, Group XIV - Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record - was set using two of JCB's own production-based hydrogen digger engines, producing a combined 1,600 bhp and manufactured at the company's engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, UK. They are the same engines now powering JCB machines and equipment rolling off production lines in the UK as part of the company's £100 million hydrogen programme.
I'm wondering how hydrogen is all of a sudden approved for Gas class when rule 1.U clearly states Hydrogen is in Fuel class!? That record is 470.
Sid
Quote from: PorkPie on August 13, 2026, 11:10:22 AMWell..Ferguson Racing went 397mph with a single American motor :cheers:
When did this happen, who timed it?
Not in speed week results.
JL222
...I would say...this looks like 397 mph.... :friday
Yeah...You think :? where do you think I came up with 397mph?
Read post 150 and figure out whom I was referring to. Everyone else did.
Pork Pie don't sort out my reply. Post the whole content.
JL222
Quote from: JAL AKA JL222 on August 13, 2026, 02:33:07 PMQuote from: PorkPie on August 13, 2026, 11:10:22 AMWell..Ferguson Racing went 397mph with a single American motor :cheers:
When did this happen, who timed it?
Not in speed week results.
JL222
...I would say...this looks like 397 mph.... :friday
Yeah...You think :? where do you think I came up with 397mph?
Read post 150 and figure out whom I was referring to. Everyone else did.
Pork Pie don't sort out my reply. Post the whole content.
JL222
Pork Pie..... Gone in 60 sec
Quote from: kiwi belly tank on August 13, 2026, 11:41:05 AMI'm wondering how hydrogen is all of a sudden approved for Gas class when rule 1.U clearly states Hydrogen is in Fuel class!? That record is 470.
Sid
Yeah...who changed the definition of gasoline to include hydrogen when hydrogen has so much more stored energy?
Was this voted on by the SCTA/BNI board?
Not in 2024 rule book, in 2025?
JL222
Quote from: JAL AKA JL222 on August 14, 2026, 12:57:18 PMQuote from: kiwi belly tank on August 13, 2026, 11:41:05 AMI'm wondering how hydrogen is all of a sudden approved for Gas class when rule 1.U clearly states Hydrogen is in Fuel class!? That record is 470.
Sid
Yeah...who changed the definition of gasoline to include hydrogen when hydrogen has so much more stored energy?
Was this voted on by the SCTA/BNI board?
Not in 2024 rule book, in 2025?
JL222
As reported elsewhere by MRK:
QuoteThe SCTA/BNI made special accommodations for it. See page 16 of the 2026 rule book :cool:
SCTA ruled hydrogen needs oxygen to burn.
Thus it is un-oxygenated, therefore, gas.
Sam
#6062
Quote from: JAL AKA JL222 on August 14, 2026, 12:57:18 PMQuote from: kiwi belly tank on August 13, 2026, 11:41:05 AMI'm wondering how hydrogen is all of a sudden approved for Gas class when rule 1.U clearly states Hydrogen is in Fuel class!? That record is 470.
Sid
Yeah...who changed the definition of gasoline to include hydrogen when hydrogen has so much more stored energy?
Was this voted on by the SCTA/BNI board?
Not in 2024 rule book, in 2025?
JL222
2026 Rule Book has a new addition under Section 1, 1.U. Fuels, 2nd Paragraph, Bold Black print.
From the internet,
Search Assist
The SCTA designated the JCB Hydromax to compete in the Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS) class, which is for vehicles with engines exceeding 500 cubic inches in displacement. This classification allows the car to showcase its hydrogen combustion technology while adhering to specific racing regulations.
ua.news
agg-net.com
SCTA Class Designation for JCB Hydromax
The JCB Hydromax was designated to compete in the Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS) class by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA). This class is specifically for vehicles with engines exceeding 500 cubic inches in displacement.
Class Specifications
Class Name Engine Displacement Requirement
Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS) Over 500 cubic inches
Purpose of the Designation
Showcase Hydrogen Technology: The class designation allows the JCB Hydromax to demonstrate its hydrogen combustion technology in a competitive environment.
Adherence to Racing Regulations: Competing in this class ensures that the vehicle meets specific SCTA racing regulations, which are crucial for maintaining safety and fairness in the competition.
This classification is part of the SCTA's efforts to promote innovation in land speed racing while allowing teams to push the boundaries of engineering and performance.
ua.news
agg-net.com
From SCTA BNI FACEBOOK
SCTA Southern California Timing Association
July 12
·
It has come to our attention that there has been some confusion regarding the classification of hydrogen as a gas.
Hydrogen was submitted as a proposed rule change at the most recent Rules Committee meeting. During that meeting, a request was made for additional clarification, so the vote was postponed until the necessary information could be provided. After the requested information was distributed to the Rules Committee and Club Representatives, the Reps and Board voted at its following meeting to approve the rule change, reclassifying hydrogen from the Fuel category to the Gas category.
Sunoco serves as the official gas and fuel supplier for our events; however, they do not supply hydrogen. Because of this, we secured an alternate supplier, Oneh2, to meet the needs of competitors requiring hydrogen. Under SCTA procedures, race teams have 45 days to submit a special equipment inquiry. This year, the only team that submitted was JCB, so there was no operational need to publish a general event hydrogen supplier.
We would also like to remind everyone that SCTA and BNI are volunteer-driven organizations. Our volunteers dedicate countless hours throughout the year to organizing safe, successful, and enjoyable events for all racers, crews, and spectators. We recognize that not everyone will agree with every decision or always have access to the same information. We welcome questions and constructive discussion, and we ask that all conversations remain respectful and professional. By working together and communicating with courtesy, we can continue to make our events successful for the entire landspeed racing community.
Keith Pedersen
SCTA President
Heather Black
BNI Chairman
Quote from: desotoman on August 13, 2026, 08:37:37 AMFrom the JCB website, https://www.jcb.com/en-GB/explore/insight/news/
...
The record - set in the Category A, Group XIV - Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record
...
Kinda surprised by this but I think they have the class wrong here. Group XV is for hydrogen reciprocating engines whereas XIV is for fuel cell engines, whatever those are.
Tim
Who summited the rule change allowing hydrogen in fuel class.
JL222
Quote from: JAL AKA JL222 on August 14, 2026, 02:47:46 PMWho summited the rule change allowing hydrogen in fuel class.
JL222
I suggest you contact your SCTA club president. They should have received all of the proposed rule changes that were submitted in 2025.
Quote from: kiwi belly tank on August 13, 2026, 11:41:05 AMI'm wondering how hydrogen is all of a sudden approved for Gas class when rule 1.U clearly states Hydrogen is in Fuel class!? That record is 470.
Sid
Yup, the 2025 rule book clearly lists hydrogen in 1.U but, it must have been argued that it was classified incorrectly and moved to the "Event Gasoline" description. I stated earlier in this thread that accommodations were made. Could it be that the AA/BFS record was out of reach or was there a price put on an injection of notoriety that influenced the rule change. Regardless, it's done.
Anyone know if the JCB streamliner engines used direct fuel injection?
it's a
intake-manifold fuel injection
a direct fuel injection didn't work...
if JCB could get the engine running with a direct fuel injection, it would a great improvement...
To add to what has already been posted. This subject was brought up at the Rules Committee meeting at the end of 2025. There were 30 people present representing all the clubs and committee chairs. There are minutes avaliable if you would like to view the voting record.
It is true that the SCTA asked the rules committee to visit the issue with hydrogen and it was decided that there are no oxygen bearing molicules in hydrogen like there are in Methanol or Nitro Methane etc. Thus the dicision to put it in the gasoline cleass.
You can disagree with the choice, but the process was above board.
As a personal note, I have always felt the the AA/BGS record was soft. A 1,400 hp big block should easliy go over 400 mph. So quit crying and build something.
:dhorse:
:clap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNj5bxRGwKo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en064ihvhh4
Quote from: Dynoroom on August 15, 2026, 12:10:49 PMTo add to what has already been posted. This subject was brought up at the Rules Committee meeting at the end of 2025. There were 30 people present representing all the clubs and committee chairs. There are minutes avaliable if you would like to view the voting record.
It is true that the SCTA asked the rules committee to visit the issue with hydrogen and it was decided that there are no oxygen bearing molicules in hydrogen like there are in Methanol or Nitro Methane etc. Thus the dicision to put it in the gasoline cleass.
Methanol has no oxygen bearing molecules unlike approved racing gas.
Sid.
When I think of alcOHol, I remember the OH. O represents oxygen. Please be informed that methanol does,
in fact, include oxygen (an element).
The JCB Hydromax streamliner hit Malibu beach last weekend to show off the technology of a hydrogen powered, 400mph vehicle. Check out the clip in the link below...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpltp757nyQ