Andy Green, the world’s fastest man on land, drove the JCB Dieselmax to a new world record speed for diesel-engined cars of 350.092mph (smashing the old record of 235mph). The record-breaking runs (365.779mph in one direction, 335.695mph in the other, both undertaken within an hour then averaged out) took place on the Bonneville Salt Flats on August 23.

Green said: ‘I am so pleased we got the car to 350mph, which was always our ultimate goal. There is so much more to come, as the car is pulling like a train and we still haven’t used sixth gear!’

Although much modified, the JCB Dieselmax’s two JCB444 diesel engines, each producing 750bhp and1100lb ft, are based on the 150bhp unit that powers the company’s diggers.