TTXGP Electric Motorcycle Race at IOM
TTXGP, the world’s first zero-carbon eGP, will be held next weekend on the Isle of Man.
Silent running.. the Electric GP.
The TTXGP is set to take place in the Isle of Man on June 12, 2009, as part of the traditional TT programme. Open to riders on zero emission motorcycles, 23 bikes with riders from 16 different teams and seven different countries will compete in the inaugural race.
Alongside teams from the UK and the Isle of Man, there are representatives from Italy, USA, India, Germany and Austria, making this ground-breaking event a truly global competition.
TTXGP founder, Azhar Hussain, said, “With twenty-three confirmed entries, we are thrilled with the high level of interest the TTXGP has generated globally, and the superb quality of teams that will be involved in our first zero-carbon race.”
Entries to the race range from the US-based Mission Motors team, which claims its electric superbike, Mission One, can reach speeds of up to 150mph, through to the Isle of Man’s own entry. British innovation and enterprise is well represented by Rick Simpson, Director of EVODesign Solutions, “Our EV-0 RR and EV-0 R entries will highlight the all British design and manufacture aspect of our race team. The motor, chassis and control systems used by the EVO Design Solutions team are all developed and built in the UK.”
A number of the UK’s top universities and colleges are getting involved. Brunel University, Kingston University and Imperial College London are all developing electric race bikes and hope to provide some serious competition to the more commercial US teams. Together with Mission Motors, commercial US teams include MotoCzysz, Barefoot Motors and Brammo, makers of the Enertia electric bike.
The list of riders taking part in the TTXGP includes seven-times winner of the Isle of Man TT, Mick Grant; Olie Linsdell, winner of the 2007 Northwest 200 400cc race, beating John McGuiness’s lap record in the process; Tom Montano, who has previously raced the fastest MV Agusta in the history of the Isle of Man TT races; Dan Kneen,who made history in the 2008 Manx Grand Prix by being the first person ever to win three races in a week; Paul Owen, one of the stars of the PlayStation2 game ‘TT Superbikes Real Road Racing Championship’; and Maria Costello, holder of the fastest female lap of the TT circuit.
