Solar Race Cars spreading across central Australia as World Solar Challenge ends 3rd day - Team Tokai way ahead

The 2011 installment of the World Solar Challenge, a solar car race that runs through central Australia, is underway.  The cars are purpose built vehicles that sit low to the ground, have extreme aerodynamics, and the whole top is generally covered in solar panels.  The race goes from Darwin (on Australias North coast) to Adelaide, on the South coast, a total distance of 3000+ kilometers.   At the end of day 3 the cars are spread across Central Australia with a couple teams within a day or two of the finish line, and at least one team suffering a fire in their car.

Day 1 - Sunday 16th October 2011

Top 5 Teams

1. Tokai University
2. Nuon Solar Car Team
3. University of Michigan
4. Aurora
5. Apollo Solar Car Team

Solar Team Twente ended the first day in sixth position after a bit of bad luck at the starting line.  A blown motor controller delayed their start by 20 minutes to replace the controller, and they ended up stuck in a traffic jam in Darwin.  By the first media stop 317 kilometers south of Darwin the car had overtaken 15 other cars and was in ninth position.

At the Dunmarra and Katherine checkpoints the Tokai, Michigan and Nuon teams were basically neck-and-neck.

http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/296_day_1_2011_veolia_world_solar_challenge_timing_results.pdf

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/15/wsc_update/

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/17/solar_challenge_day_one/

Day 2 - Monday 17th October 2011

Top 5 Teams

1. Tokai University
2. Nuon Solar Car Team
3. University of Michigan
4. Aurora
5. Ashiya University

Brushfires forced closure of the road for awhile.  The organization held a "control stop" at Wauchope 116km south of Tennant Creek, with the three leading teams at that stop.

Team Apollo was in fifth place, until they ran over cattle grid at 683 km south of Darwin.  The car suffered damage, and the scrutineers deemed it repairable.  They're expected to get it back on the road with a few hours delay.

http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/300_2011_velolia_world_solar_challenge_day_2_provisional_results_2.pdf

http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/301_day_2_provisional_results_end_of_day.pdf

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/17/world_solar_challenge_race_day_2/

Day 3 - Tuesday 18th October 2011

Top 5 Teams

1. Tokai University
2. Nuon Solar Car Team
3. University of Michigan
4. Ashiya University
5. Aurora

Electric vehicles can burn, as the Team Phillipines car proved.  As the team made repairs to the vehicle the battery "exploded" and flames engulfed the car.  Nobody was injured and it's believed the damage is not terminal and the team can continue tomorrow.

Team Tokai has stretched their lead to 20 kilometers, or 35 minutes, with Nuon and Michigan behind them.  Tokai was also the first to cross the South Australian border meaning they've completed about 2000km of the race.

Another group of teams are 300km north at Alice Springs.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/18/wsc_solarcar_race_update_day_three/

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/18/wsc_solar_car_race_day_3/

http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/304_day_3_provisional_update_veolia_world_solar_challenge_tokai_crosses_the_border_as_philippines_batteryr_engulfed_in_flames_damage_hopefully_not_terminal.pdf

http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/303_2011_velolia_world_solar_challenge_day_3_provisional_results.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peugeot 908 Hybrid 4 has track test at Estoril on 11 October

The Peugeot 908 Hybrid 4, which was unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, made its first genuine on-track test at Estoril, Portugal on October 11, 2011.

"Our aim wasn't to but a lot of kilometres on the clock, but to verify that all the chief functions performed," reports Peugeot Sport's Technical Director, Bruno Famin. "It was important to analyse the data of each run to be sure we understood the results before moving on to the next step. The system functioned well and responded as predicted, which was very satisfying. At the same time, we started to make a few adjustments to the car's basic set-up. It worked well, so that's very positive."

Nicolas Minassian: "I had the good fortune to drive the original demonstration hybrid car in 2008 and I am proud to have been the first person to drive the 908 HYbrid4. It's extremely interesting to work on a project of this scale which no doubt paves the way for the future of motor racing. As a driver, it's very rewarding to be in a position where you can learn and play a part in the development of new technologies."

Stéphane Sarrazin: "We were able to work through the complete test programme, so that was fantastic. It was interesting to work with the engineers to identify the ideal compromises and, of course, get acquainted with the system, since the project is only in its early days. You can feel the extra power and it will be up to us to harness or adapt it in the most competitive way possible. We will need to strike the right balance. We're looking at a lot of things and exploring several avenues."

"We spent 2010 designing the system ahead of an initial bench test at the beginning of 2011," explains Bruno Famin. "We have a dyno that allows us to test the complete engine, gearbox and transmission assembly. This is particularly practical since it functions just as it does when fitted to the car. The hybrid system forms an integral part of the power train. This test work continued through 2011 up to the car's first shakedown run in September and its first real track test a few days ago."

"It will be interesting to see how the system performs at a different track," notes Bruno Famin. "A new phase will also begin when we start to fine tune not only the system but also the handling of the car We have no intention of rushing things, however. We are still on a learning curve and the endurance testing will come later."

 

http://www.supersport.com/motorsport/sports-cars/news/111017/Peugeot_hybrid_takes_to_the_track

MIST Suzuki Stop Smoking to join the TTXGP World Championship 2012

Hot on the heels of the 2011 TTXGP World Championship race, the following announcement was sent out naming a new team joining the race series for 2012.  MIST Suzuki Stop Smoking is expected to compete in the European series.

Going by their blog post they're planning to build their own electric superbike.

They appear to have been duly impressed by the Laguna Seca race during which the top bike (Mission Motors) turned in lap times within shouting distance of the MotoGP bikes.  Team owner Mike Edwards said “We’ve long been converts to the benefits of electric motorcycle racing. 2011 was a landmark season with the fastest electric bike qualifying just ten seconds off Jorge Lorenzo’s pole position time in the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca. That’s a huge step and I can’t imagine any electric cars getting that close to F1 cars anytime soon. With technology progressing at the current rate we are confident that gap will start to close even further and look forward to building a competitive bike that will help set new benchmarks in electric motorcycle racing. It is tremendously exciting as there are few opportunities outside of the MotoGP race paddock where can you design and build a complete machine from a clean sheet of paper.”

 

http://www.mistsuzuki.com/

http://www.mistsuzuki.com/2011/10/18/stop-smoking-for-2012/

MIST Suzuki Stop Smoking to join the TTXGP World Championship 2012

MIST Suzuki Racing are pleased to announce the team has reached agreement with Azhar Hussain MBE, founder of the TTXGP electric motorcycle championship, to build an electric motorcycle in time for the 2012 championship and to compete in the European, and hopefully the World, championships. Making the switch from the long established fossil fuel powered racing to the emerging world of renewable green energy is a big step but one the team are looking forward to making.

Team owner Mike Edwards said "We've long been converts to the benefits of electric motorcycle racing. 2011 was a landmark season with the fastest electric bike qualifying just ten seconds off Jorge Lorenzo's pole position time in the MotoGP race at Laguna Seca. That's a huge step and I can't imagine any electric cars getting that close to F1 cars anytime soon. With technology progressing at the current rate we are confident that gap will start to close even further and look forward to building a competitive bike that will help set new benchmarks in electric motorcycle racing. It is tremendously exciting as there are few opportunities outside of the MotoGP race paddock where can you design and build a complete machine from a clean sheet of paper.".

TTXGP founder Azhar Hussain was equally enthusiastic: "We are incredibly pleased to welcome the MIST Suzuki team to the TTXGP family. They bring with them world class motorsport experience from WSBK and BSB. We believe MIST are a fantastic example of what can be achieved when TTXGP integrates it's technical support with the passion and motorsport heritage that Mike and his team bring to the next generation of motor sports. Their involvement brings us closer to our goal to have the most competitive and thrilling grid anywhere in the world for clean emission zero carbon racing.".

MIST bring with them a number of highly experienced technical partners, ranging from chassis design and build expertise to the MotoGP and World SuperBike race paddock, class leading electronics firms looking to develop their top SuperBike products for the electric bike market plus a number of battery and controller experts from other highly experienced electric vehicle manufacturers.

Mike added: "We are holding talks with a production company about making a documentary on the design and development process, showing the project from it's inception through the build and testing to the first race of the season. We have some world leading electric motor and battery expertise in this country and, when combined with some of the extremely talented motorcycle chassis designers, the goal has to be to use the combined talent of our team and our partners to fly the flag for British engineering and technology on the world stage."

"We also plan to continue the development of the World Superbike spec. Suzuki we have been building this season and will use it as the benchmark for both the electronics and handling targets for the new project. We may even complete a WSB wild card or two to help publicise the TTXGP entry.".

For further details please get in touch with the team via the website at www.mistsuzuki.com or email at 'info@mistsuzuki.com'.

About MIST Suzuki Racing

Team owner Mike Edwards, one of the original founders of the MiniTwins race series, set up MIST Suzuki Racing to provide a path for young riders to reach the top levels of international racing. The path led from points scoring finishes against factory supported teams during their three year tenure as one of the largest British teams in the World SuperBike paddock, to podium finishes, race wins and multiple lap records in the British SuperBike Evo class. The team was accepted to compete in a number of wild card races at World SuperBikes in 2011 but had to postpone their plans until the following year due to issues obtaining the necessary parts in time. 

About TTXGP

TTXGP, the eGrandPrix is an international race series providing a high profile platform for the development of electric vehicles.  Using motorcycles as a resource effective development platform, TTXGP enables the futuristic technology behind them to be tested in an exciting and challenging way. TTXGP aims to drive low carbon technological innovation forward, to demonstrate that clean-emission transport technologies have matured and can be fun, fast and exciting.

Will electric Car Buyers Win as EV Racing Goes From Two Wheels to Four? Will Mavizen/TTXGP win in the shift to car racing?

“Electric racing offers the potential to both accelerate the development of electric drivetrain technology in the crucible of competition, but also to show how exciting zero-emissions race cars can be and so shift consumer attitudes towards the adoption of EVs,” said Drayson Racing chief Lord Paul Drayson.  So far the most widely known electric racing action has been the TTXGP electric motorcycle race series.  A recent Wired article talked about the application of electric motorcycle components to electric cars, both electric race cars, and cars meant for the public, as well as a shift to electric car racing when (?if?) the Formula E series launches in 2013.

Azhar Hussain's hope in launching the TTXGP was to, as Lord Drayson said in the quote above, accelerate electric vehicle technology via electric racing.   Hussain's other company, Mavizen, is looking to take technology they developed for electric motorcycle racing and apply it to electric car racing.  The claim is that any technological gains along the way might make their way into regular cars as well, and benefit us all.  Whether or not specific technologies make it from the track to consumer vehicles, electric vehicle racing action has a tendency to blow up the stereotype that electric cars can only be slow boring ugly golf carts.

The mantra in racing has long been “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday” - meaning, the race is on Sunday and the fans will often show up at the store on Monday looking to buy whatever they saw winning on Sunday.

Hussain owns two companies, Mavizen and TTXGP.  Mavizen is working with Drayson Racing on the technology for B12/69EV, their electric race car intended for the Formula E series expected to launch in 2013.  Mavizen is supplying the battery pack's for Drayson's race car.   The Wired news article (linked below) claims this battery pack design was used in the TTXGP electric bike racing series, but this is almost certainly inaccurate.  To understand we must review the history of Mavizen's technology.

During the 2010 season Mavizen leased several TTX02 race bikes to race teams.  Those bikes used battery packs with A123 cells.  However not all the TTXGP race teams used Mavizen's technology.  The Mavizen bikes generally gave middle-of-the-pack results compared to some other bikes on the grid - such as eCRP, Meunch Racing, and Lightning Motors.  Lightning's battery packs also used A123 cells, but using Lightning's own design rather than Mavizen's.  Mavizen's technology was not in any way impressive during 2010, except in-so-much that they managed to supply electric race bikes for six or so teams.  One of Mavizen's purposes was to enable there to be more racing teams on the TTXGP grid, and in 2010 they did so even though their teams generally gave poor-to-middling results.

In the 2011 season Mavizen did not lease out any bikes, and instead started a strategic move to become a parts and services organization rather than supplier of race bikes.  One move they made made was to become a reseller of A123 technology, both battery cells and complete battery packs.  They're also looking beyond the TTXGP electric motorcycle race grid for customers, such as their deal with Drayson and the Qimera electric race car.  I do not yet know whether the packs being sold to Drayson Racing are the A123 design, or Mavizen's design.

Mavizen's eye is on a future which is more than electric motorcycle racing, but also car racing.  Such as the Formula E series expected to launch in 2013.

See:

Electric racing vehicle and components suppliers in 2011

The changing role of Mavizen within the TTXGP

A123 Systems sponsoring the 2011 North American TTXGP race series

Mavizen signs battery distribution agreement with A123 Systems

Car Buyers Win as EV Racing Goes From Two Wheels to Four

http://snippets.electricracenews.com/2011/07/wireless-chargers-could-turn-ev-racers.html

What's behind the small grid in today's TTXGP 2011 World Championship race

This weekend saw Matthias Himmelman (Muench Racing) win the TTXGP 2011 World Championship race at the Anglesey race track in Wales.  While congratulations are due to Himmelman and his team for their excellent win this year (see TTXGP 2011 World Final Championship held today by the Welsh seaside in Anglesey), the championship race had only four teams from the TTXGP Europe series participating.  No teams from North America or Australia attended, doubtlessly because of the five-day notice the teams received.

The TTXGP organization is unlikely to comment publicly on why this race had a small starting grid that wasn't representative of the world-wide racing action under the TTXGP banner the last two years.  But we know some effects that contributed to the situation.

A major story of the season was the attempt for TTXGP and FIM's e-Power to hold joint racing events.  In 2011 there were to be three such joint events, in Laguna Seca in July, at Le Mans in September, and a "to be announced" location and time for the final race.  As time ticked on throughout the season, the "to be announced" location and time for the joint championship was never announced.  Presumably the TTXGP organization, needing to hold their championship race, gave up on the joint race at some point and had to set up their own race while running short on time to select a location and date and made the best they could out of a worsening situation.

We heard rumblings all season long that behind-the-scenes the two series weren't exactly cooperating.  In September this surfaced when a series of complaints were posted by Harry Malin (a.k.a. Brammofan and a.k.a. emotorules) shortly after FIM posted video from the Laguna Seca race.  That race was supposed to be a joint partnership between equals, but the video made zero mention of the TTXGP participation.   Many such as Mallin took this as a slap in the face of the TTXGP (see Not just disappointed. I'm angry).

Theoretically this sort of the political wrangle shouldn't be anything more a rumble in the background.  It's unfortunate that this years TTXGP world championship appears to have been affected as a result.

The TTXGP is attempting to do big things - to establish a huge change in motorsports.  Motorsports doesn't always willingly change, and this change from gasoline-driven to electrically-driven racing is far more drastic than for example the change from two-stroke to four-stroke motorcycles.  The existing motorsports paradigm is certainly going to act to preserve the gasoline homeostasis.  It's always the job of the old order to preserve itself in the face of upstarts.  Making big changes is rarely easy.  The TTXGP, as the leader in this change, is perhaps the target because they are challenging the status-quo.

We know that lithium battery technology triggered a tipping point that unleashed a wave of changing transportation norms because of ever-more-competetant electric vehicles.  As battery and electric drive train advancements are made electric vehicle capabilities will inexorably improve.  The time is coming, in a few years, where electric cars and motorcycles will perform at levels matching the top-of-the-line cars and motorcycles.  This is inevitable and one might think the old guard clinging to their gasoline are fighting a losing cause.

 

TTXGP 2011 World Final Championship held today by the Welsh seaside in Anglesey

As announced earlier this week, the 2011 TTXGP electric motorcycle racing world championship race was held today in Anglesey, Wales. (see TTXGP's 2011 World Final Championship race to be held October 15/16 in Anglesey)  For the second year running, Meunch Racing is the TTXGP world champions, with Zongshen in second place.

The twitter reports (see below) indicate it was a clear and sunny day, a rarity for Wales.  The results and TTXGP's race report is replicated below.

TTXGP FINAL results

pos	no.	Name	make	laps	total time	diff	ave. speed	best time	best speed	inlap
1	49	Matthias Himmelman Muench Racing team	Muench TTE	9	15:16.621	-	74.229	1:39.311	76.124	9
2	59	Ho Chi Fung Zongshen	Zongshen	9	15:56.783	+40.162	71.113	1:45.177	71.879	2
3	48	Richie Welsh Arc EV		9	16:40.390	+1:23.769	68.013	1.48.787	69.494	2
4	53	Davd Hallet David Hallet Racing	Mavizen TTX02	8	1:40.573	1lap	64.301	1:55.179	65.637	2

Throughout the race the TTXGP twitter account posted these updates:-

• Race has started, muench in pole, david hallet racing, followed by zongshen and then arc
• 141.71 fasted lap so far for muench. Racing
• Beautiful sunny day here in anglesey... With every lap faster than the one before!
  
• 74.6 speed mph for matthias compared to Jenny tinmouth last years time of 68.955
• Muench racing are nearly 4 seconds faster than zongshen
• Its all over, himmelman, fung, welsh and hallet…
• Last lap was the fastest for Himmelman at 139m31 speed of 76.12mph
• Big thanks to everyone in the control tower here in anglesey

What's behind the small grid in today's TTXGP 2011 World Championship race

See:

MotoCzysz sizzles in TTXGP Finale, while Brammo wins the championship

The finale of the TTXGP 2011 North American series at Miller Motorsports Park

Final race in TTXGP's 2011 North American series to be held at Miller Motorsport

Results and pictures for 2011 Laguna Seca TTXGP/e-Power electric motorcycle race

Mission Motors wins joint TTXGP/e-Power race at Laguna Seca

TTXGP and FIM's e-Power hold first joint race this weekend at Laguna Seca

Brammo, Mission, and Zero go head-head at REFUEL in preview of TTXGP next month

Brammo sets new TTXGP lap record at Infineon

Brammo, Volt wins in TTXGP season opener at Infineon Raceway

Re-introducing the TTXGP for the 2011 electric motorcycle racing season

Race lineup announced for TTXGP season opener at Infineon

A123 Systems sponsoring the 2011 North American TTXGP race series

TTXGP expands again in partnership with Australian FX-Superbike Championship

 

TTXGP FINAL; Himmelmann lifts the trophy for the second consecutive year!

17th October 2011

TTXGP PRESS OFFICE

 

TTXGP World Champions 2011 are Muench Racing.

12 rounds, 3 continents, 1 champion. A rewarding end to a very challenging 2011. The TTXGP World Championship 2011 concluded in Anglesey on Oct 15/16 and proved to be a thrilling exhibition of technology and talent.

The Spectators were treated to an exciting first practise of the day, a mixed and open grid of petrol bikes of all shapes and sizes alongside the futuristic electric TTXGP machines.  Whilst the electrics were permitted to start the practise by the ACU,  it was from the back of the grid, but to the amazement of spectators; the Münch Machine piloted by Matthias Himmelmann gave chase the best out there whilst the light nimble bike of Ho Chi Fung from China's Zongshen was certainly mid field of the 400cc bikes out on the track this weekend. 

The paddock was charged with talk of the Electric Bikes with crowds coming through the TTXGP paddock area.  It was a fantastic reception for the teams by the local fans and that coupled with the fact that Anglesey strives toward sustainability and energy efficiency in motor sport making it the perfect partner for TTXGP.  The Circuit uses wind to provide energy to the paddock....

Sadly the day did not start well for all with Team Zongshen losing one of its two bikes due to a cell failure that could not be recovered.  However Ho Chi Fung did the team proud flying round the track on a fault free morning practice as well throughtout the race.  It was the best and most confident we have seen this rider all season.  The technical track suited the bike well and the fans were certainly impressed.  With an average race speed of 71.113 he was only 3 seconds slower on his brushed DC powered bike on average than the AC engine of the Muench TTE.  Ho Chi Fung commented "Im very happy. I worked hard with the engineers and mechanics from the start of the season. We gained confidence and gradually increased the speed of the bike...To be 2nd in the Euro championship was unexpected, and lucky (in out 1st year). Some of the other teams had problems . We have gained good experience this year, and will take that knowledge forward to next year and the future."

No. 48 Matthias Himmelman for Muench Racing was by far the star of the show; over 4 seconds faster on every lap than his closest rival Himmelman looked strong from start to finish. Himmelmann was leading by a very impressive 21.4 seconds, into 7th lap and looked untouchable.  His fastest lap time of 1:39:311 was comparable to the 600cc bikes on the track that weekend and demonstrated a significant improvement year on year.  By the 9th and final lap he was simply flying, finishing 40.162 second ahead of his nearest rival, Ho Chi Fung of Zongshen.  The win represents the second consecutive year at the top of the pile of world electric race teams.

This was an amazing turnaround for the team after a major technical failure in the opening round of the Euro Championship. Racer Matthias Himmelman said "I worked hard over the winter riding bicycles and weight training, to get fitter for this seasonand it has paid off, I will continue to do this for the future. My favorite race of the season was SPA francorchamps, it is an amazing circuit. All the development that we do with these race bikes goes into our plan to make production bikes.'

The teams cheif engineer Thomas Schuright added "We had a hard start to our season losing the first bike, and also after Laguna Seca we made some modifications to our motor which made us a lot faster ...We plan in the future to not only ride our electric powered race bikes, but to charge them at the track through renewable energy such as solar panels" 

The bike has been getting better and better with every race and the team have some exciting plans for the future... with more than just hints of a production racer for sale or hire soon they are certainly one to follow very closely in the coming months.

Credit all photos by Neil Lambert

TTXGP FINAL results

pos	no.	Name	make	laps	total time	diff	ave. speed	best time	best speed	inlap
1	49	Matthias Himmelman Muench Racing team	Muench TTE	9	15:16.621	-	74.229	1:39.311	76.124	9
2	59	Ho Chi Fung Zongshen	Zongshen	9	15:56.783	+40.162	71.113	1:45.177	71.879	2
3	48	Richie Welsh Arc EV		9	16:40.390	+1:23.769	68.013	1.48.787	69.494	2
4	53	Davd Hallet David Hallet Racing	Mavizen TTX02	8	1:40.573	1lap	64.301	1:55.179	65.637	2

 

For more information please contact

PRESS

E: Press@egrandprix.com

 

 

CriCri's Electric Airplane Pilot Breaks Own Speed Record

We don't yet have electric airplane racing happening, but that doesn't stop those who are building electric airplanes to see how fast or how far they can go.

French pilot Hugues Duval has built an electric conversion of a tiny single-seater Cri Cri airplane, and been working on speed records with it.  The airplane has a wingspan of 16 feet, and a passenger compartment that looks to be little larger than the pilot.  He's set it up with a pair of 35 horsepower electric motors and a 3 kilowatt-hour battery packs.  The setup lets the airplane fly for 25 minutes.

In December he set a 162 miles/hr speed record, and in July at the Paris Air Show he bumped it up to 175 miles/hr.

See:

CriCri's Electric Airplane Pilot Breaks Own Speed Record

Electric Airplane Sets New Speed Record

CATAVOLT WIN FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP (TTXGP/eFXC)

Last weekend Team Catavolt won the first Australian electric motorcycle championship race series concluded with the eFXC/TTXGP final race at Wakefield Park.

The Australian series had three rounds, at Eastern Creek, Winton, and last weekend at Wakefield Park.  There were only three bikes total racing, with two in the TTX75 class and only one in the Open class.  This made Ripperton Racing a shoe-in winner in the Open class.

On Saturday (Oct 8) they held a qualifying race which Catavolt won, taking pole position with a best lap time of 1 min 32 secs.

On Saturday they also held race 1 (apparently they planned to hold 2 races over the weekend).  Catavolt led the race for 5 laps but Ripperton taking the lead and winning.  Voltron came in third place after running the race on half power due to damage suffered in a crash during the qualifying race.  (Chris crashed twice in practice landing on the Angi motors and wound up having to race on one motor; elmoto.net)

On Sunday they were to have held race 2, but both Ripperton and Voltron had to withdraw due to damage to their bikes during race 1.  As we see in the videos (below) Ripperton's bike, in the finest of racing tradition, won the race just as the motor blew up immediately after crossing the finish line. (The first race saw Ripperton turn up the current in his motor which got him across the finish line first but the motor smoked and he is done for the weekend as is Chris/Voltron; elmoto.net)  The other thing to take from the video is the Aussie bikes are more closely matched (28 seconds difference) than the North America or European teams.

This left Catavolt uncontested for race 2.  Rather than run an actual race race it was decided Catavolt would take some exhibition laps, and also attempt to beat the track speed record for electric motorcycles.  That record, 1 min 26 secs, had been set during race 1 by Ripperton.  Catavolt's rider did break the record, with a 1 min 19.5 secs time.

CATAVOLT WIN FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE CHAMPIONSHIP (TTXGP/eFXC)

 

 

Final Standings in the eFXC/TTXGP 2011 Australian Championship (copied from TTXGP website)

eFXC/ TTXGP AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 TTXGP Class
POS	Team		Rider	Eastern Creek Raceway	Winton Raceway	Wakefield Park	TOTAL
1		Ripperton Racing		25	DNF	25	50

 

eFXC/ TTXGP AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 TTX75 Class
POS	Team		Rider	Eastern Creek Raceway 3rd July	Winton Raceway 4th September	Wakefield Park 9th October	TOTAL
1		Voltron	Chris Jones	20	25	20	65
2		Catavolt	Jason Morris	25	20	25	70

 

 

Jason Morris setting a Lap record on the Catavolt Electric Motorcycle 1:19.5 At Wakefield Park thats 10 seconds faster than our effort 4 months earlier.

Ripperton Electric Superbike crossing finish line with blown motor, lots of smoke, followed by Catavolt and Voltron 28 seconds behind.

 

 

 

 

 

TTXGP's 2011 World Final Championship race to be held October 15/16 in Anglesey

Today the timing and location of the TTXGP 2011 World Final Championship electric motorcycle race was announced, and it will be held in Anglesey, UK on October 15/16.   For the TTXGP it's not only the capping off of an amazing 2011 season, it's a return to a venue where they'd raced in 2010.

In 2011 the TTXGP held races on three continents (versus two in 2010)

• TTXGP North America, held 3 races beginning with the season opener in May at the Infineon Raceway
• TTXGP Europe, held 5 races
• TTXGP/eFXC Australia, held 4 races

The 2011 season also saw many of the TTXGP teams move to AC drive trains, from the DC systems that were commonly used in 2010.  It's not that there were no AC drive trains in use in 2010, as at least two winning teams (Lightning and Meunch) used AC motors in 2010.  In 2011 AC systems were far more common, with the AC drive trains bumping performance levels up considerably.  The fastest performance of the 2011 season came at the Laguna Seca round, held jointly with FIM's e-Power series, during which Mission Motors' bike attained lap times as fast as the MotoGP bikes racing that same weekend.

It was also a tough year all around for the TTXGP management.  If nothing else, the lateness of this announcement demonstrates how tough their year has been.  The announcement comes only five days before the final race.  Since it affects teams who would be traveling from Europe, North America and Australia to participate, in normal circumstances this announcement would have been made months ago giving everyone time to make plans.

The 2011 season was to be a year where the TTXGP and e-Power series would begin to cooperate with each other.  In particular the final championship race was to have been jointly held somewhere.  That "somewhere" was never announced, which left the TTXGP organizers needing a time and place to hold their championship.  Hence we can put two-and-two together to understand the lateness of todays announcement.  For their part FIM has not announced a time or location for the e-Power championship race.

See:

MotoCzysz sizzles in TTXGP Finale, while Brammo wins the championship

The finale of the TTXGP 2011 North American series at Miller Motorsports Park

Final race in TTXGP's 2011 North American series to be held at Miller Motorsport

Results and pictures for 2011 Laguna Seca TTXGP/e-Power electric motorcycle race

Mission Motors wins joint TTXGP/e-Power race at Laguna Seca

TTXGP and FIM's e-Power hold first joint race this weekend at Laguna Seca

Brammo, Mission, and Zero go head-head at REFUEL in preview of TTXGP next month

Brammo sets new TTXGP lap record at Infineon

Brammo, Volt wins in TTXGP season opener at Infineon Raceway

Re-introducing the TTXGP for the 2011 electric motorcycle racing season

Race lineup announced for TTXGP season opener at Infineon

A123 Systems sponsoring the 2011 North American TTXGP race series

TTXGP expands again in partnership with Australian FX-Superbike Championship

 

 

TTXGP Returns to Anglesey UK on October 15/16 for the TTXGP World Final 2011

10th October 2011

TTXGP PRESS OFFICE

It has been a season of tears, laughter, surprises, mountainous challenges and well earned victories but above all else, this is a season that has seen electric motorsport elevate to the next level. We have been liaising with the teams for months now and can finally release information about this season's climax: the TTXGP FINAL 2011; Anglesey, United Kingdom

2009 was the age of the DC motor, smaller and lighter than its counterparts, It had a proven edge over competitors and offered future teams a relatively simple and cost effective solution to making electric motorbikes go fast and allowing people to join the grid. Throughout 2010 it's presence dominated the grid;  teams, big and small  were able to join in adding to the pioneering spirit that makes TTXGP so thrilling as a sport.  Innovative technological edge coupled with close racing as the AC Motors began to really challenge in 2010 made racing fun as well as relevant.

This season saw a tipping point as teams starting look for a world beyind the DC, at least in Europe and the US where the leading teams are all running AC motor driven machines.  With the TTXGP FINAL now due to be held in beautiful coastal course  of Anglesey, UK, all eyes will be on the teams to see which technology and rider and will have the edge when it matters.

Set on the west coast of Anglesey, overlooking the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range beyond, Anglesey Circuit provides visitors with a challenging and exciting circuit in a breathtaking location. The track has taken full advantage of the undulating landscape and created a circuit with imaginative cambers, a blend of fast sections, technically challenging mid range corners complimented with two hairpin bends and a 10% banked corner.

"We are pleased to welcome TTXGP back to Anglesey Circuit, especially as this is the World Final of the 2011 championship. With environmental issues high on our own agenda as a venue, we admire the commitment that TTXGP is showing by promoting zero emission racing." Richard Peacock, Anglesey circuit.

"Its been a challenging year in dealing with some very unexpected headwinds. Our thanks to all the team at Anglesey for stepping in at a late stage and helping electric motorcycle community conclude what has been another historic milestone as we all continue to grow the next generation of motorsport." said Azhar Hussain, Founder of TTXGP.  "Anglesey is a an exciting, fast and stunning circuit. Its going to be a thrilling race to the final."

TTXGP provides an exciting proving and development ground as well as plenty of trackside action. Join us this weekend at Anglesey or follow us on @TTXGP for all the live action.

We invite you all to be part of it.

BYU-student-built electric car sets 156 mileland speed record at Salt Flats

An electric car designed and built by Brigham Young University Engineering students set a world land speed record for its weight class.  The record was 155.8 mph averaged over its two required qualifying runs, with a maximum speed of 175 mph.

The team was led by recently retired associate professor Perry Carter who taught at BYU for over 30 years.  The record resulted from seven years of work by over 130 students, overseen by Carter.  “This is a wonderful closure to 31 years of teaching at BYU and many projects,” Carter said after the record was certified. “But this is the one that takes the cake. I’m done.”

The car is called a streamliner, meaning it was designed with proper aerodynamics to reduce air resistance and maximize efficiency.  The lightweight carbon fiber body was modeled by students in a computerized virtual wind tunnel.

The car is named "Electric Blue," and competes in the "E1" class, which includes cars weighing less than 1,100 pounds.  There were no prior certified records in this class, despite earlier runs by both the BYU and other teams.

“Students who study music need to give concerts, students who study dance need to perform, and students who study engineering need to engineer things and compete to see how they work,” said Carter, the team mentor. “Experiential education is a key aspect of every program.”

Source:

BYU-student-built electric car sets land speed record at Salt Flats