Digger breaks own speed record

Hits 350mph and still not in top gear

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Science, 24th August 2006 10:18 GMT

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JCBDieselmax broke its own speed record for a diesel-powered vehicle yesterday hitting an average speed of 350 miles per hour - and the team still hasn't made it into top gear.

At the Bonneville Salt Flats, JCBDieselmax got to 365.8mph on its first run and 335.7mph on the return run, giving an average of 350.1mph. This breaks the world land speed record for a diesel vehicle of 328mph, which the team set on Tuesday.

Driver Andy Green said: "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!"

A spokesman for the team said they were very pleased with the result and were now on their way home.

In other news, JCB chairman Sir Anthony Bamford, while celebrating the team's success, told the FT that he would be interested in buying Jaguar if Ford was prepared to split it from Land Rover.

Bamford told the pink paper: "If they can separate Jaguar out [from Land Rover] then I'd like to buy it. The little car [X-type] needs to go. The S-type is critical and the XJ is a very good car but it needs a re-skin.

"We've been in business for 60 years and I can see a long-term future in Jaguar."

Ford is currently considering what to do with Jaguar, but Bamford said he has not spoken to anyone at either company yet.

Diesel sports cars anyone?