Press release   October 19, 2007			Voith Turbo: Voith Hydrodamp Helps JCB to Achieve Speed Record Fastest Diesel-driven Vehicle of the World Races Across Salt Lake at 563 km/h 563 kilometers per hour- the bikers who travel to the American State of Utah for the annual "Speedweek" in August, in order to race across the famous Bonneville Salt Lake, can only dream of such a speed. The Dieselmax of the British construction machine manufacturer JCB reached exactly this speed, making it the fastest diesel vehicle in the world. Onboard of the record holder were hydraulic torsional vibration dampers from Voith Turbo. It was an impressive demonstration of the power of diesel engines. After all, with this ride on the salt lake, JCB has surpassed the existing speed record for diesel-driven land vehicles by 40 percent. The old record dates back to 1973 and amounts to 380 kilometers per hour. Behind the record is a vehicle driven by two 4.4-liter JCB diesel engines with a combined output of 1,500 HP. This corresponds more or less to twice the power of a Formula 1 racing car - a fact that Andy Green definitely noticed. The former pilot of the British Royal Air Force who, in 1997, was the first one to break the sonic barrier with the thrust-driven ultrasonic vehicle ThrustSSC, fetched the record for JCB in Utah. Rumor has it that he claimed after his ultra-fast trip across the salt lake that the vehicle could have performed even better - he had not even used the sixth gear. The basic engine for the 2.7-ton vehicle in frame design was the new JCB 444 series for heavy agricultural machinery. The high torque of 1 500 Nm was achieved by special tuning, modified injection and a changed piston design. In order to "pacify" the vehicle on the drive side, Voith Turbo Hydrodamps were installed between engines and transmissions. They effectively dampen torsional vibrations from the engine and consequently make drive systems more comfortable, economical and long-lasting. Voith Turbo delivers some 8,000 Hydrodamps to JCB every year, mainly for telescopic handlers and Fastrac tractors. Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith AG. Voith sets standards worldwide for papermaking technology, power transmission, energy technology, and industrial services. Voith was founded in 1867. With approximately 34,000 employees, annual sales of € 3.7 billion and over 250 locations worldwide, Voith is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe. Voith is an official partner of the initiative "Germany - Land of Ideas."
			JCB world land-speed record vehicle, fitted with a Voith Hydrodamp.
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			Niklas Weidert Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG, Central Advertising / PR | 89522 Heidenheim, Alexanderstraße 2 | Germany Tel +49 7321 37-2862 | Fax +49 7321 37-7110 E-Mail niklas.weidert@voith.com
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