TV speedster Guy Martin sets new British speed record on a 1,000hp TRACTOR
A PROFESSIONAL racer has set a new world record on a 1,000hp tractor.
TV personality and former motorcycle racer Guy Martin drove the “JCB Fastrac” into the record books, after it was clocked going 103.6mph at Elvington Airfield, near York.
The incredible feat completely shattered the previous speed of 82.27mph, which was recorded by Top Gear rev head The Stig in 2018.
The supercharged tractor was powered by a massive 7.2-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine which is capable of 1,000hp.
Over the past few months, a team of JCB engineers worked on the secret project alongside William Advanced Engineering.
Guy Martin said: “It had been a great day with the JCB at Elvington, proper job with some right proper engineers.
“She felt rock steady on the runway, job’s a peach.”
It’s not the first time Martin has claimed a Guinness World Record.
The British thrill-seeker recorded the fastest speed on the Wall of Death – a large wooden drum style arena – when riding his motorcycle horizontally at 70.33mph.
He even earned another world record for the fastest speed on a gravity-powered snow sled, after reaching 83.5mph down the slopes in Austria.
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Lord Bamford, chairman at JCB, said: “We’ve long harboured a dream to attempt a speed record with the Fastrac and the whole team has worked tirelessly to achieve this amazing result.
“I’m extremely proud of what they have achieved in such a short space of time.
“It is British engineering at its best and it really does highlight the skills and innovation we have in our engineering team. They have done a truly fantastic job.”
Earlier this month, professional racer Jess Hawkins recorded a new world speed record on a supercharged lawnmower when going from 0-100mph in 6.29 seconds.