JCB Hydromax Powers To FIA Record Attempt

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JCB's hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner 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.

Lord Bamford | JCB Chairman commented:

“To reach 368.347mph is a fantastic achievement for the whole JCB Hydromax team. It shows just what JCB’s hydrogen engines are capable of ahead of our outright FIA world record attempt. This project is about proving that hydrogen power can perform at the very highest level with zero emissions, and result is powerful evidence of that.”

Andy Green, the fastest man on earth at 763.035mph and the only person to break the sound barrier on land, said:

“It has been an absolute joy to be back on the salt, racing at Speed Week alongside some incredible teams. The Bonneville Salt Flats are the home of the World Land Speed Record, where racers get to push the boundaries of physics and innovation."

"This record has given all of us huge confidence in the car, the team and the quality of the engineering. With our first record in the bag, we're now turning up the power on the engines, aiming to go even faster next week.”

JCB Hydromax Project Leader Ryan Ballard said:

“Speed Week is one of the most iconic and respected events in world motorsport, bringing together competitors from around the globe who share a passion for pushing the boundaries of engineering and performance."

“We are immensely grateful to the Southern California Timing Association for the professionalism, expertise and enthusiasm with which they organise this unique event. The SCTA's commitment to land speed racing has created a platform where innovation can thrive and records can be challenged. It has been a privilege for JCB to compete here, and we'd like to thank everyone involved for making us feel so welcome as we strive towards even greater achievements on the Salt Flats.”

Yesterday the 32 foot long, twin-engined JCB Hydromax recorded a speed of 367.141mph and reached a maximum speed of 369.554mph, giving an average speed of 368.347mph, setting a new SCTA record on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The result surpasses the previous SCTA record of 348.342 mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010, marking the first time in 16 years the class record has been broken.

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.

JCB has a long history of pushing the limits of speed. In 2006 JCB’s Dieselmax streamliner clinched the world diesel land speed record, reaching 350.092 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats powered by two JCB diesel engines. In 2019, the JCB Fastrac tractor was crowned the world’s fastest tractor at 135.191 mph, while in 2014 the JCB GT set the world record for the fastest backhoe loader at 72.58 mph.

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Apr 24
2 min read

Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired new headquarters in Surrey for the UK’s leading supplier of world foods.

Golden Acre Foods has relocated from Chertsey into 5,260 sq ft (489 sq m) premises at Waterfront, Waterman’s Business Park, Staines-upon-Thames due to expansion.

Vail Williams partner Maria Hoadley and surveyor Natalie Furtado, both based in Woking, led the team conducting a comprehensive search to locate a property with the right attributes in an area where demand is high.

Golden Acre subsequently signed a 15-year lease on part of Waterfront, a fully refurbished Grade A development situated on an established business park in a River Thames setting.

Maria said:

“Golden Acre looked at various locations before deciding Staines was the most suitable for staff retention, road and rail links, public transport and amenities. Also, the company’s preference was to be on the ground floor for operational reasons, required ample parking and would countenance only premises with good green credentials.”

Natalie added:

“We used our experience, local knowledge and contacts to source and secure Waterfront off-market and it proved ideal for Golden Acre. A key part of our remit was to find premises which could be futureproofed as their business demand continues to grow, which we did and so secured the deal.”

Vail Williams associate Chris Bailey handled the pre-acquisition work for Golden Acre and the firm also acted on business rates, while associate Nicki Rought looked after dilapidations on the company’s former premises in Chertsey. The fit-out was completed by 3-Space.

Waterfront landlord, real estate development, investment and management business London And Marlborough Group, was represented by director Paul Sexton.

Golden Acre Foods is the UK’s leading supplier of world foods, supplying major multiples, wholesalers and foodservice customers across the UK and Ireland.

The company was founded with the launch of Golden Acre yogurts more than 20 years ago and has since developed other brands such as Najma, Elsinore, Hungry Boar, Jaldee Eats and Acti-Shake.

It also supplies food from Poland, Romania and South Asia, while also sourcing a wide variety of private label products.

The company is B Corp™ Certified, meeting the highest standards of environmental and social performance, transparency and accountability.

Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.

Photo: Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired new headquarters in Surrey for Golden Acre Foods, the UK’s leading supplier of world foods

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JCB Hydromax Powers To FIA Record Attempt

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