TV speedster Guy Martin sets new world record on a 1,000hp tractor – beating previous speed by 32mph

A TV speedster has set a new world record for the fastest tractor in a five-tonne truck.

Former motorcycle champion Guy Martin drove the JCB Fastrac into the record books when it was clocked at 135mph at Elvington Airfield, near York.

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The incredible feat completely shattered his previous speed of 103.6mph, which was recorded in June this year.

The supercharged tractor was powered by a massive 7.2-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine which is capable of 1,000hp.

Working alongside Formula 1 designers Williams Engineering, a team of engineers were able to improve the previous vehicle by designing a more aerodynamic body and spoiler.

Martin hit a top speed of 153mph in one of his attempts, but in order to hold a Guinness World Record it needs to be recorded across two runs in opposite directions.

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The tractor's two attempts were calculated at an average of 135mph.

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.

Guy Martin said: "This has been a massive undertaking, and I was a very small cog in the machine.

"It was a proper privilege to be involved, so thank you very much to JCB and its engineering team, who got this tractor absolutely spot-on.

"Just look at it, they get stuff done, it’s brilliant, and it is still a working tractor, so could have gone straight into the nearest field to put in a shift."

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Tim Burnhope, chief innovation officer at JCB, said: "Fastrac One really proved to us that there are no limits to what a young and dynamic engineering team can achieve.

"So we pushed boundaries and ideas, and looked at all aspects of the project to find solutions and make improvements.

"The biggest challenges have included aerodynamics, reducing weight and improving performance – getting a five-tonne tractor to safely reach 150mph, and stop again, is not an easy task, but we’re all so proud to have not only reached these goals, but to have exceeded them."