I was able to speak with the project director of JCB Dieselmax and it is
clear that he and all of the team have salt fever and wish to return to
Bonneville sooner rather than later.
There will not be any activity this year until the vehicle can be set up to
achieve its full potential. (It set the FIA diesel record on 650 HP output
per motor rather than the full 750 HP). Its FIA record average was set
with Andy having to use up nearly two miles of acceleration distance to get
the front and rear motors both giving power after achieving the correct
temperature.
Tyres are the limiting factor and this was a subject I could not get any
response on, other than the team are seeking ways to find a partener who
can allow them to increase their speed (above 365 mph), with an acceptable
tyre speed safety margin.
Once we got onto speed 'targets' it is clear that the report regarding the
absolute wheeldriven speed of 458 mph set by Don Vesco, was a journalist
not understanding what pistons might achieve and in particular a set of
four per engine slower revving diesel pistons. The Chairman of JCB wants
his engines to power the fastest piston powered car.
As a European team the target will be to set new FIA records, using the 1
hour turnaround basis. Therefore the JCB target speed will be the fastest
FIA piston powered one, which would be to exceed those of Al Teague and the
late Bob Summers - both 409 mph with change on the FIA list.
When will this be - even JCB personnel have to continue working on their
usual products, but not before 2008 was the response.
Malcolm Pittwood, Derby, England.
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