The e-Power series comes of age
Chuck Squatriglia -
WIRED - November 23, 2009
A new racing sport is born that doesn't use barrels of fuel. --Ed.
Electric motorcycle racing has hit the big time with the announcement that the sanctioning body of MotoGP and the Endurance World Championship is launching an electric racing series next year.
There’s no word yet on who’s racing or what rules they’ll have to follow, but the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme has four races on the calendar and says more are coming. It says the e-Power International Series reflects its growing concern about the future of the sport and the need to promote alternative energy.
“The FIM, as the governing body of motorcycle sport, must take into account current environmental problems,” FIM president Vito Ippolito said in a statement.
The e-Power series will be organized by the FIM’s Road Racing Commission and held during Endurance World Championship events. The first race is slated for April 18 during the Le Mans 24 Hours, with others scheduled for Sept. 12 in France and Nov. 14 in Qatar. The date of the fourth race, during the Albacete 8 Hours in Spain, is to be announced.
By launching the series, the FIM has pulled the rug out from under the TTXGP eGrandPrix motorcycle race.
The TTXGP held its inaugural race in June on the Isle of Man; it drew 13 teams to an event endorsed by the FIM. Race founder Azhar Hussain said his organization had been working with the FIM, sharing technical expertise and inviting FIM officials to help draft rules for the 2010 race....
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