Andy Green’s New Record Attempt on Bonneville Salt Flats

Wendover, Utah – The historic Bonneville Salt Flats will soon see Andy Green, the sole individual to break the sound barrier in a car, hitting the track again. Green returns with a hydrogen-powered car, aiming for a new record.

Two decades ago, Green reached 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) in a diesel-powered vehicle at this site. His new goal is to surpass that speed with a hydrogen car. The retired Royal Air Force pilot intends to highlight hydrogen as a cleaner energy option.

He will drive the JCB Hydromax, a 32-foot (9.75-meter) vehicle from British manufacturer JCB. The car features a yellow, pencil-like shape powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines. These engines, developed from JCB’s construction machinery, deliver 1,600 horsepower by mixing hydrogen gas with air.

Besides the diesel record, Green hopes to break the hydrogen engine speed record of 185.5 mph (298.5 kph) and the electric vehicle record of 341.3 mph (549.2 kph). Last week, he reached 368.347 mph (592.797 kph) in practice. To officially hold the hydrogen record, he must replicate this speed on Tuesday under the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s supervision.

“What the peak speed is, I can’t say. We just don’t know. Part of the adventure here is we’re going to find out,” Green said.

Green’s past achievements include setting the overall land speed record with a supersonic car in 1997. His runs in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert reached 763.035 mph (1,227.98 kph), producing sonic booms.

At 64, Green considered quitting racing until JCB contacted him for this project. JCB Chair Anthony Bamford emphasized the importance of hydrogen engines, investing over $134 million in them. Despite potential emissions issues, JCB has opted for green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy.

Hydrogen engines pose unique safety challenges, such as high pressure and flammability. Rigorous testing ensured the car’s and driver’s safety. Green spent months adapting to the vehicle’s dynamics, focusing on engine coordination and deploying the parachute on the salt flats.

The Bonneville Salt Flats, a location with a history of land speed records since 1914, offers a unique track. Situated about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, this area features a surface that helps cool car tires.

Spectators will view from about a quarter mile away (400 meters) using binoculars. This location has also been featured in films like “Independence Day” and “The World’s Fastest Indian.”

Green plans his attempt before sunrise, mindful of past tragedies, including a fatality last year during Speed Week. A driver named Chris Raschke lost control at 283 mph (455 kph), underscoring the risks involved.

This effort underscores both the potential and dangers associated with high-speed racing and hydrogen technology.