VIDEO: JCB GT crowned fastest digger in the world

The JCB GT was today crowned the fastest digger on earth after reaching speeds of more than 70 miles an hour in Australia.

The JCB GT - originally designed by the Staffordshire-based company to perform high-speed wheelies at racing events – made the attempt in front of independent record officials at Bathurst, near Sydney.

Guinness World Records has today confirmed that the powerful JCB digger was officially the fastest backhoe loader in the world with a speed of 72.58 mph.

To celebrate the win the JCB GT went on a tour of Sydney and took a bow for photographers in front of other world-famous icons – the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

JCB Demonstration Driver Matthew Lucas - nicknamed ‘The Dig’ during the attempt - was the man who steered the JCB GT to its world record title.

The 43-year-old from Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It was great to be involved in such an exciting project and a real honour to be behind the wheel when we achieved the record.”