eVFR Electric Motorcycle Conversion » eGrandPrix: The US Launch!

eGrandPrix: The US Launch!

I recently attended the US Launch of the TTXGP/eGrandPrix at the AMA Vintage Motorcycle days in Ohio. The eGrandPrix is an international race series, specifically aimed towards Electric Motorcycles. The FIM and Azhar Hussain have been planning a race series starting in 2010 which will have courses located all over the world. The TTXGP organizers came to Ohio to officially launch the eGrandPrix Racing Series in the United states.

When I first got to the event, it was LOUD! The rumble of all of the 2 and 4 stroke engines was everywhere; little pit bikes buzzing by, scooters, dirt bikes, street bikes and trikes (including a Can Am Spider that was there for people to test ride). We parked and started walking towards the eGrandPrix paddock area and it was incredibly silent. I met up with Sadie and Jeremy from the TTXGP/eGrandPrix Team and got a quick update. The fastest bike at the track that day was Brian Richardson’s Norton Electra, which reached a speed of 106mph. The bikes had just gone out and people were packing up, but there was still much to see.

Saturday there was a Parade lap of anyone that wanted to (mostly gas powered motorcycles). The eGrandPrix teams were mixed in at the end. The exhibition laps were actually more like a race, but more for fun. There were 4 teams racing on Saturday: A converted R1 from Electric Motorsport, a converted Norton Electra from Brian Richardson and the JMU AFV team, a converted Lifan GS200 from EnerTrac and a factory stock Zero S from Zero. On Sunday, Tony Helmholt rode his converted 1975 Yamaha RD250 around the track.

Here’s a video of the Electric Motorsport R1 at the track:

The event came together well and the public interest was very high. People were coming in large groups to talk to the organizers as well as the teams. Todd Kollin of Electric Motorsport brought two GPR-S motorcycles and was letting people ride them around. Zero let people take test rides as well. It was great to see the looks on people’s face when you told them there was no clutch and no noise.

In the near future, Azhar and his team will be posting details on the when and where of the series that the FIM has approved for 2010. He’s also working on the details for the 2010 TTXGP at the Isle Of Man. The rules are staying very similar to the TTXGP rules. Right now much effort is being put into trying to get the word out so that there are more teams that may enter the race. Its an exciting time right now and things are moving VERY quickly. We’ll be seeing more events like the one in Ohio in the future.

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