The world-famous 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 to perform high-speed wheelies at racing events – made the attempt in front of independent record officials at Bathurst, near to Sydney. Today Guinness World Records confirmed that the powerful JCB digger was officially the fastest backhoe loader in the world with a speed of 72.58 mph (116.82km/h). JCB Demonstration Driver Matthew Lucas - nicknamed ‘The Dig’ during the attempt - was the man who steered the JCB GT to its world record title. Matthew, 43, of 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.”