What You Need to Know
• British driver Andy Green aims to break his own land speed record in Wendover, Utah.
• Green previously set the diesel-powered car record at 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) twenty years ago.
• He will attempt to achieve a new record with the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax car this week.
British driver Andy Green, the first person to break the sound barrier in a car, is set to attempt a new land speed record in Wendover, Utah, this week. Two decades ago, Green established the land speed record for a diesel-powered vehicle by reaching 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This time, he will be driving the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax, which features two hydrogen internal combustion engines producing a combined 1,600 horsepower. Green has already achieved a practice speed of 368.347 mph (592.797 kph) but must officially set the record in front of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile to validate it.
Why It Matters
Andy Green’s attempt to break the land speed record is significant as it highlights advancements in clean energy technology, specifically hydrogen fuel. The JCB Hydromax represents a shift towards sustainable alternatives in high-performance vehicles, aiming to demonstrate hydrogen’s potential as a viable energy source. Green’s previous record of 763.035 mph (1,227.98 kph) in 1997, achieved with jet engines, underscores the evolution of speed records and the ongoing pursuit of innovation in automotive engineering. This event also reflects a growing interest in environmentally friendly technologies within the motorsport community.
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