eFXC electric motorcycle racing in Australia parts ways with TTXGP for 2013

In 2011 and 2012 the TTXGP had a presence in Australia thanks to a partnership with the Australian electric motorcycle racing series, eFXC.  The partnership made for two seasons of electric motorcycle racing that primarily saw Catavolt and Ripperton in competition.   However, the partnership between TTXGP and eFXC has ended and the eFXC is now running on its own separately from the TTXGP.  It remains under the umbrella of the Australian FX-Superbike Championship.

Catavolt at 2012 TTXGP World Final, Daytona

According to an announcement on the FX-Superbike website, the 2013 series will include two classes.  One will support the existing "development" bikes - that is, home built experimental bikes that Ripperton and Catavolt have been racing with so far.  The other class is for Production bikes.  The 2013 eFXC series has four dates, listed below.  According to a comment on the website, they currently have commitments from five teams.

One thing the 2012 North American season proved is that the 2012 Zero S is a solid bike that can easily be modified for racing under TTXGP rules.  At the Portland event it was proved the 2012 Zero S is slightly slower than the 250cc gas bikes.  The 2013 Zero S is a notch faster and should be able to beat 250cc gas bikes now.  Additionally Brammo is finally beginning to deliver Empulse and Empulse R bikes to customers, either of which should be convertible into a credible race bike. 

This is no doubt what the Aussie's (eFXC) are aiming for with a new Production racing class.  Owners of 2013 Zero S's or 2013 Empulse R's should be able to make a few simple modifications and go racing at a performance level similar to 250cc gas bikes.

This is a solid demonstration of how far electric motorcycles have come over the last 4 years.  This is no longer the realm of experimental bike builders.  It's becoming a sport where you can just buy a bike and go racing.

Why did eFXC and TTXGP part ways for 2013?  I tried contacting one of the people in charge but did not receive an answer.  However I have talked with Azhar Hussain (TTXGP) about this, but am not yet free to give full details.  There is a pending announcement which will give a better appreciation of the larger context within which eFXC and TTXGP parted ways.  

2011 announcement coverage: TTXGP expands again in partnership with Australian FX-Superbike Championship

2012 announcement coverage: TTXGP/eFXC Australia is on again for 2012


Source: eFXC Electric Motorcycle Racing Championship 2013

eFXC 2013 Rounds:
Rnd 1, 3rd – 5th May, Wakefield Park Raceway NSW eFXC 2 Races (FX Rnd 3)
Rnd 2, 23rd – 25th August, Queensland Raceway Queensland, eFXC 2 Races (FX Rnd 4)
Rnd 3, 4th – 6th October, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW eFXC 2 Races (FX Rnd 5)
Rnd 4, 15th – 16th November, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW eFXC 1 Race (FX Rnd 6)

eFXC | TTXGP Australia 2012 DVD will be available soon.

Coming soon - a DVD showcasing the 2012 TTXGP/eFXC season in Australia.

See http://www.evmotorcycle.org/ for more info.

eFXC/TTXGP season opens with closely matched race in Australia

The opening round of the eFXC/TTXGP 2012 Australian series was held south of Sydney at Wakefield Park raceway last weekend, with a single race being held on both Saturday and Sunday.  The race had two teams participating, Ripperton and Solar Power Australia (Catavolt).  Both teams made many improvements to their bikes since last season.  For example the Solar Power Australia (Catavolt) shed 30 kilograms of "unnecessary" batteries.

Qualifying round results were very well matched, with lap times within three seconds.

Pos No Gr Name Class Machine Fastest On Lap Gap Behind
1 100 Jason MORRIS (NSW) / Solar Power Australia /Catavolt 1:17.210 3 of 3
2 46 Daniel SAILER (NSW) / Ripperton Racing /Yamaha R1 1:19.502 3 of 3 2.292 2.292


The race started with Morris's Catavolt machine pulling away with the extra power available to it, but it wasn't long before Sailor was on his heels, pressing here and there, showing a wheel, pulling back , then making a successful passing move to take the lead. But Morris had the power to take back the lead, it took a couple of laps for Morris to figure out the new handling features of the new rubber, but his experience with Supermoto allowed for some quick learning.

Racing was very close with a number of lead changes but you could see a hunger in Morris's riding style, he was pushing harder than he had previously. He took the win with a slim 1.2 second margin.

Jason Morris Round Winner "We have come so far in the 12 months we've been running as its been mentioned before we've drop now officially 15 seconds from where we started out and anyone within motorsport knows that's a longways to come in 12 months"

Daniel Sailor "Technically Jason's motor is twice as big as mine but I think mine handles better, on track its crush kill destroy but off the track were good friends, we help each other out with tools and battery chargers."

Catavolt is still using the Enertrac hub motor in the rear, with lithium iron phosphate batteries.

Ripperton is using a highly customized liquid cooled Motenergy AC motor, with lithium polymer cells.

The Catavolt setup is significantly heavier than the Ripperton R1 yet it performs almost on a par with the R1. With a lighter battery setup Catavolt might prove difficult to catch.  

Reliability was much higher this year, as was speeds.  Lap times were in the 1:15 range, still 15 seconds shy of the gas bikes.

Race 1 results (saturday afternoon)

Pos No Gr Name Machine Laps Time Behind Fastest On Lap
1 46 Daniel SAILER (NSW) / Ripperton Racing Yamaha R1 4 5:11.417 1:15.607 2
2 100 Jason MORRIS (NSW) / Solar Power Australia Catavolt 4 5:11.913 .496 1:16.169 3

Fastest Lap was 1:15.607 by Daniel SAILER (NSW)

Race 2 results (sunday afternoon)

Pos No Name Machine Laps Time Behind Fastest On Lap
1 100 Jason MORRIS (NSW) / Solar Power Australia Catavolt 4 5:12.388 1:15.852 3
2 46 Daniel SAILER (NSW) / Ripperton Racing Yamaha R1 4 5:13.592 1.204 1:15.633 3

Fastest Lap was 1:15.633 by Daniel SAILER (NSW)

Current race record for eFXC class - 1:20.608 by Daniel SAILER (NSW) on a Yamaha R1 set on 08/10/11

http://www.egrandprix.com/news.php?id=274

http://www.elmoto.net/showthread.php?2250-eFXC-TTXGP-2012-Electric-bikes-are-back-on-the-grid

TTXGP/eFXC Australia is on again for 2012

Looks like the TTXGP is gearing to run on three continents again this season (unless Azhar has a big announcement up his sleeve) with the recent announcement between TTXGP and eFXC to run the series in Australia again in 2012.  Last year was the first TTXGP/eFXC season in Australia, and it had some modest success with a few teams showing up for the four races.  By all accounts we could find on the forums they had a good time, a few wrecks, blown up motors, and all the other things you expect from guys pushing the bleeding edge on a race track.

The managing director of Australian Road & Track Rider Promotions (ARTRP) Terry O’Neill commented “It’s great to continue our relationship with TTXGP, we had a good start last year in promoting what we believe will grow to become a very significant force in motor sports in this country. With TTXGP we see a partnership that can offer a great opportunity into the future of electric motorcycle racing here in Australia and worldwide.”


Rupal Patel, director TTXGP. “eFXC are a fantastic partner with which to grow electric racing in Australia and TTXGP is very happy to be working with once again their team to nurture the sport this year and into the future. Going into the second year of the TTXGP Australia eFXC series demonstrates our commitment to the partnership and most importantly to the teams and innovators in the region. We invite them to join in and strive to become Australia leading electric race team at the cutting edge of zero carbon technology and the next generation of motorsport.”


Dates and Locations for 2012 eFXC/TTXGP series:

AFXSBK Rnd 1 Eastern Creek Raceway (NSW) March 16th-18th

eFXC/TTXGP Testing under race conditions

AFXSBK Rnd 2 Wakefield Park Raceway (NSW) April 20th – 22nd

Rd1 eFXC/TTXGP

AFXSBK Rnd 3 Queensland Raceway (QLD) July 20th -22nd

Rd2 eFXC/TTXGP

AFXSBK Rnd 4 Wakefield Park Raceway (NSW) 31st August – 2nd September

Rd3 eFXC/TTXGP

AFXSBK Rnd 5 Winton Raceway (VIC) October 5th – 7th

Rd4 eFXC/TTXGP (TBC – Depends on TTXGP final being held Mid Nov)