Wendover, Utah – British driver Andy Green is back at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats to attempt breaking his own land speed record. Twenty years ago, Green achieved 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) with a diesel-powered car. This time, he’s aiming to surpass that record using a hydrogen-powered vehicle.
Green, a retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot, sees this not only as a quest for personal achievement but also as a demonstration of hydrogen’s potential as a clean energy source. He refers to it as the ‘fuel of the future.’ The car he’ll be driving is the JCB Hydromax, created by the British company JCB. This 32-foot (9.75-meter) vehicle uses two hydrogen combustion engines, producing a total of 1,600 horsepower. These engines were originally designed for construction machinery but adapted to power the Hydromax by mixing pressurized hydrogen gas with air.
The hydrogen record to beat is significantly lower than Green’s diesel record. The current world records for hydrogen internal combustion engines and electric vehicles stand at 185.5 mph (298.5 kph) and 341.3 mph (549.2 kph) respectively. Having reached 368.347 mph (592.797 kph) in practice, Green strives to earn official recognition from the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, which oversees motor sports.
Green’s past achievements include breaking the sound barrier in 1997 with a jet-powered car, reaching 763.035 mph (1,227.98 kph). His efforts produced sonic booms that surprised the town of Gerlach, Nevada.
Currently 64, Green came out of racing retirement for the Hydromax’s challenge. JCB has invested over $134 million in advancing hydrogen engines that emit no carbon dioxide. JCB’s Chair, Anthony Bamford, sees hydrogen as essential for reducing emissions and highlights its suitability for heavy industries compared to electric power.
However, the environmental impact depends on hydrogen’s source. Much of it is derived from fossil fuels, but JCB plans to use green hydrogen made from renewable energy. Hydrogen combustion presents safety concerns due to its high pressure and flammability. Green has meticulously prepared, testing the car and understanding its behavior, including strategies for slowing it with parachutes on the salt flats.
The Bonneville Salt Flats, a historic site for land speed records, offers a unique racing surface formed from a prehistoric lake bed. Positioned about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, it covers an underground aquifer that keeps tires cool. Spectators watch races from a distance of a quarter of a mile (400 meters), using binoculars for a wide view across the 10-mile (16-kilometer) straightaway.
Known for hosting numerous racing events, Bonneville has seen attempts to set new records since its first race in 1914. It has also been utilized in films, such as ‘Independence Day’ and ‘The World’s Fastest Indian.’ Green’s attempt comes in the wake of a tragic accident during last year’s Speed Week when Chris Raschke died trying to set a land speed record. Despite risks, the pursuit of speed continues to captivate drivers and enthusiasts alike.