The 1000hp JCB GT is in Australia and plans to set a Guiness Book of World Records speed record at the Supercheap Auto 1000 and officially become the world’s fastest earthmover.

MORE THAN 20 years ago the JCB GT lobbed Down Under and scared the pants of spectators at the Formula One Grand Prix in 1990. Fast forward to now and the JCB GT is back, albeit a new-generation model, and its sights are set on becoming the fastest earthmover in the world while its here.

Currently performing at the Deni Ute Muster (3-4 October) with the ‘Dancing Diggers’, JCB GT will head to the Supercheap Auto 1000 (9-12 October) for its record attempt. Huh? According to JCB, a trained specialty driver from the UK will attempt to run the modified backhoe down a 250 metre stretch in under four seconds. This run will be timed and submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records.

“The JCB GT is unofficially known as the world’s fastest backhoe, and this run will finally make it official. We’re excited to see how it performs,” said Hylton Taylor, JCB CEA Executive General Manager. “More than two years of research and development went into producing the GT, so I’m sure it will exceed expectations.”

Running a supercharged Chevrolet V8 big block engine, and equipped with a belt-driven supercharger and a pair of four-barreled Holley carbs, JCB GT exhales via eight, 20-inch straight-through exhausts and has a top speed of 193km/h.

Normally housed at JCB headquarters in Staffordshire, UK, JCB GT is on a four-city tour of Australia, which began with the Deni Ute Muster, it then heads to the Supercheap Auto 1000, Gold Coast 600 and the Sydney 500.

As mentioned, JCB GT is in Australia with the Dancing Diggers which are making their Australian debut at the Deni Ute Muster, performing their choreographed dance moves to music… it’s more synchronised swimming than, say, the Team D-Max Precision Driving Team but the few clips we’ve seen on YouTube seem pretty cool.