Driver who broke the sound barrier to attempt another land speed record in Utah

Andy Green, the first, and only, person to break the sound barrier in a car, is returning to Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats this week with a new vehicle aimed at setting yet another land speed record. The retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot, known for his historic 1997 run that exceeded Mach 1, will attempt to surpass his previous diesel-powered record of 350.092 mph (563.4 km/h). This time, however, he will be driving a hydrogen-powered car developed by British construction equipment manufacturer JCB. Green’s upcoming attempt takes place on Tuesday at the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats, a lunar-like expanse that has hosted numerous land speed records since 1914. The salt flats, located approximately 100 miles (160 km) west of Salt Lake City, sit atop an aquifer that helps cool the car tires during high-speed runs. Spectators will need to maintain a distance of about a quarter of a mile (400 meters) from the course’s straightaway, which stretches 10 miles (16 km) long. The car Green will drive is the JCB Hydromax, a 32-foot (9.75-meter) vehicle designed specifically for extreme speed trials. Its appearance resembles a pencil, with a sleek, elongated frame. Powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines, each capable of generating over 800 horsepower, the Hydromax represents a significant leap in sustainable automotive technology. These engines, adapted from JCB’s construction machinery, operate by mixing pressurized hydrogen gas with air and igniting it to produce powerful thrust. During recent test runs, Green achieved a top speed of 368.347 mph (592.797 km/h), well above the current world land speed record for hydrogen internal combustion engines, which stands at 185.5 mph (298.5 km/h). He also surpassed the existing electric vehicle record of 341.3 mph (549.2 km/h). If successful, his attempt would not only establish a new benchmark for hydrogen-powered vehicles but also demonstrate their potential as viable alternatives to traditional fuel sources. JCB has invested over $134 million into developing hydrogen-powered engines that claim to produce zero carbon dioxide emissions from the tailpipe. Anthony Bamford, JCB’s chair, emphasized the importance of hydrogen in reducing emissions, particularly within heavy industries. However, the production of most hydrogen still relies on fossil fuels, and JCB has committed to sourcing green hydrogen, which is generated using renewable energy. Despite these efforts, the environmental impact of hydrogen production remains a subject of debate. Safety concerns associated with hydrogen combustion engines persist due to the gas’s high flammability and the pressures involved in its storage and use. Green acknowledged these challenges, stating that the team has conducted extensive testing and training to manage them effectively. He spent several months familiarizing himself with the car’s performance under various conditions and mastering techniques such as deploying a parachute to decelerate safely on the low-friction salt crust. Green’s journey began in 1997 when he set the world land speed record at 763.035 mph (1,227.98 km/h) while piloting a jet-engine-powered car in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. His achievement, marked by sonic booms that rattled nearby towns, earned him recognition from Guinness World Records. After retiring from competitive driving, Green remained active in aviation until JCB approached him with the opportunity to push the boundaries of hydrogen-powered transportation. As the countdown to his latest attempt begins, Green remains focused on proving the viability of hydrogen as a clean-energy solution. Whether or not he breaks the diesel-powered record, his effort underscores the ongoing evolution of automotive technology and the growing interest in sustainable propulsion systems. The outcome of his run will be announced following the official attempt on Tuesday.