24 Apr 06
Considering he's the fastest man on earth, Wing Commander Andy Green OBE is remarkably self-effacing. Now 43, it's almost nine years since he squeezed himself into the cockpit of the Thrust SSC streamliner and achieved an average speed of 763.035mph. In doing so, he wrote himself indelibly into the history books as the first man to break the sound barrier on land.
Back then, Green was remarkable for his both his astonishing bravery and his calm, modest demeanour. It is an image that has not changed with time, despite him being constantly feted and asked the same questions time and again. He admits, for example, that he only thinks about his record 'When people ask me about it... which means every day.'
In August this year, Green will put his reputation on the line once more when he steps behind the wheel of the JCB Dieselmax and attempts to break the world land speed record for a diesel-engined car. The aim is not just to better the existing record of 233mph, but to top 300mph.
According to Sir Richard Noble, who led the Thrust SSC project and is now a consultant to the JCB team, Green 'was the only choice to drive the car.'
Green himself told us: 'It took me about two seconds to think it through and say yes.' Speaking at the vehicle's launch at the JCB headquarters in Staffordshire, Green said it was 'an amazing thing to be involved with.'
