(Photo courtesy of JCB)

U.K.-based JCB Ltd. will attempt to break the world land-speed record for diesels at the Utah Bonneville Salt Flats in August. Hoping to reach 300 mph, the equipment manufacturer has designed an aerodynamic car that stretches 30 ft, weighs three tons and produces a peak 1,500 hp. Twin 750-hp turbocharged JCB engines power the racer. Transmission clutch packs were originally designed for loader-backhoes. The current diesel record was set in 1973 at 235.8 mph. JCB launched its engine line in 2004.