A little documentary about the TTXGP / TT ZERO on the Isle of Man, and especially focusing on MotoCzysz's involvement in the series.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Toyota Motorsport to race to the clouds at Pikes Peak with new electric race car
Toyota Motorsport Group last year took an electric race car, the EV P001, to the Nürburgring to set a lap record for electric cars. This year TMG is taking the next iteration, the EV P002, to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, to see about racing to the clouds. The specs on the new machine are a step forward from the EV P001. Along the way Toyota seems to have changed their intent from being the sole provider of electric drive train components to a race series, to being one participant in a range of components suppliers in the burgeoning field of electric racing.
Let's start with the EV P002. It, like the EV P001, is built on a Radical chassis but with electric drive train components. The twin axial flux motors produce a 350 kilowatt output (approx 470 horsepower), and a maximum torque of 900 Nm. Each motor has its own TMG-designed inverter. It is powered by a massive 42 kilowatt-hour battery pack, and has an off-board DC charger. TMG predicts a top speed of 150 miles/hr, in the Pikes Peak configuration. The EV P001 had twin motors, supplied by EVO Electric, but with a maximum output of "only" 280 kilowatts. TMG does not disclose the supplier of the EV P002 motors, but a close look at one of the pictures published by TMG and we see a motor that suspiciously looks like EVO's.
Japanese rally champion Fumio Nutahara will drive the car. In May, TMG
conducted extensive testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern
France to verify car and drive train performance.
Last year TMG described the project as a collaboration among several organizations, but this year the only listed collaborator is RK1 Inc.
What may be the most important tidbit is the quote down at the end of the press release:
Last year, after attaining the Nürburgring lap record for electric cars, TMG said that event proved their drive train technology was "ideal to power any future single-make electric motorsport series." This was clearly meant to appeal to the racing series organizers, and position TMG as the supplier to some kind of spec racing series. This press release does not contain such a statement, but still works to position TMG as a supplier to electric racing teams.
Sources:
Toyota's electric race to the clouds at 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Toyota electric race car sets EV lap record at Nürburgring
Toyota Motorsport GmbH Brings Electric Technology to Pikes Peak
 |
| The TMG EV P002 being tested at Paul Ricard Circuit in France. |
 |
| TMG’s high-performance electric powertrain, with axial flux motors and TMG inverters visible |
Last year TMG described the project as a collaboration among several organizations, but this year the only listed collaborator is RK1 Inc.
What may be the most important tidbit is the quote down at the end of the press release:
Ludwig Zeller, General Manager Electric & Electronics: “Pikes Peak is a great showcase for TMG’s electric powertrain technology. We already proved at the Nürburgring that TMG is leading the way in developing such powertrains for motorsport and this is another sign of our commitment to this technology. TMG wants to be increasingly involved in electric motorsport and we believe our powertrain technology is an industry-leading combination of performance, durability and packaging. Electric powertrain technology in motorsport is still in its development phase but through projects like this one, TMG is laying the foundations for the future of high-performance and motorsport cars.”The context is that there are several organizations developing electric car racing series. TMG clearly wants to be a supplier of components to the teams which will race in these series. TMG's purpose is to supply parts and expertise to racing teams, and if the future of racing really is electric, then TMG would be foolish to ignore the wave of change.
Last year, after attaining the Nürburgring lap record for electric cars, TMG said that event proved their drive train technology was "ideal to power any future single-make electric motorsport series." This was clearly meant to appeal to the racing series organizers, and position TMG as the supplier to some kind of spec racing series. This press release does not contain such a statement, but still works to position TMG as a supplier to electric racing teams.
TMG EV P002 Technical Specifications | |
Performance
| |
Top Speed
|
240km/h (Pikes Peak configuration)
|
Maximum Torque
|
900Nm
|
Maximum Power
|
350kW
|
Maximum Revs
|
5000rpm
|
Powertrain
| |
Electric Motor
|
2 axial flux
|
Inverter
|
2 x TMG inverters
|
Gear Ratio
|
2.5
|
Transmission
|
Single-reduction gearing
|
Battery
|
Lithium ceramic
|
Battery Capacity
|
42 kWh
|
Charging Technology
|
Off-board DC charging
|
Dimensions
| |
Length
|
4.10m
|
Height
|
1.04m
|
Width
|
1.79m
|
Sources:
Toyota's electric race to the clouds at 2012 Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Toyota electric race car sets EV lap record at Nürburgring
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Kleenspeed reports on testing the EV-X11 electric race car at Infineon Raceway
Kleenspeed, developer of electric vehicle drive train components, just distributed a press release going over results of their recent testing with the EV-X11 electric race car. This car is based on the West WX-10 race car chassis, and has been outfitted with electric drive train components for Kleenspeed to use in testing the technology being developed by the company. The company has taken the vehicle to all the REFUEL races, and intends to do so again this year. Their results at the REFUEL series lets the company go around claiming the EV-X11 is the fastest electric race car in the world. I suppose Toyota or Quimera or Drayson might quibble with that claim, but Kleenspeed may be correct in that the EV-X11 is the fastest electric race car in some precise categorization. In any case, the EV-X11 holds the track record at Laguna Seca for electric race cars.
Getting to the report - in May the company spent two days at the Infineon Raceway doing tests on days that other gas race cars were testing.
Since REFUEL 2011 the company has improved the battery management system, data collection and telemetry, and the motor controller has been turned up to 100% from the 65% it was at in 2011. As a result of the higher power levels, they've switched from a Gates belt to a chain drive, and have upgraded the suspension system.
The first session, on May 7, Kleenspeed CEO Tim Collins took the car through 5 laps without incident. However, they determined the car was very much faster than last years setup and needed more suspension work.
After adjusting suspension and dampers Kleenspeed brought the EV-X11 back to the track on May 14. This time they tapped on Kevin Mitz of Rennworks Motorsports to be the driver. They report hitting a top speed of 125 miles/hr on the front straightway at Infineon, and Mitz supposedly thinks the car can do low 1:30's lap times.
"The EV-X11 is really a revelation to drive and I'm impressed with the sophistication of the KleenSpeed powertrain. The unique EV torque curve gives me extra pull off he corners and the elimination of the constant shifting a gasser requires keeps the EV-X11 in a steady state that makes for smoother, faster laps. No question, KleenSpeed's EV technology offers significant advantages in a race car." said Kevin Mitz
KLEENSPEED President, Tim Collins offered the following insights after the sessions.
"Wow ... we really have made progress in the past year. All the data we acquired and the move to 100% power have made a huge difference in the feel the car. It is so strong now that I have to be very careful in putting the power down, as it is very easy to spin. I think the chassis tuning has helped corner speed significantly and I feel that putting a full time racer behind the wheel is really necessary now."
"In addition to the added power and torque, the car is clearly more capable. I'm really impressed with the 2012 updates to the EV-X11. All credit goes to Dante Zeviar, our CTO and chief designer, and the KleenSpeed mechanical and electrical engineers and crew members, with the input of pro racer, Kevin Mitz on chassis set up. "
"KleenSpeed wants to retain our lap record at Laguna Seca during the upcoming ReFuel TT and keep the EV-X11 as the fastest electric race car in the world. I'm very excited and looking forward to ReFuel on July 1st with confidence."
Getting to the report - in May the company spent two days at the Infineon Raceway doing tests on days that other gas race cars were testing.
Since REFUEL 2011 the company has improved the battery management system, data collection and telemetry, and the motor controller has been turned up to 100% from the 65% it was at in 2011. As a result of the higher power levels, they've switched from a Gates belt to a chain drive, and have upgraded the suspension system.
The first session, on May 7, Kleenspeed CEO Tim Collins took the car through 5 laps without incident. However, they determined the car was very much faster than last years setup and needed more suspension work.
After adjusting suspension and dampers Kleenspeed brought the EV-X11 back to the track on May 14. This time they tapped on Kevin Mitz of Rennworks Motorsports to be the driver. They report hitting a top speed of 125 miles/hr on the front straightway at Infineon, and Mitz supposedly thinks the car can do low 1:30's lap times.
"The EV-X11 is really a revelation to drive and I'm impressed with the sophistication of the KleenSpeed powertrain. The unique EV torque curve gives me extra pull off he corners and the elimination of the constant shifting a gasser requires keeps the EV-X11 in a steady state that makes for smoother, faster laps. No question, KleenSpeed's EV technology offers significant advantages in a race car." said Kevin Mitz
"Wow ... we really have made progress in the past year. All the data we acquired and the move to 100% power have made a huge difference in the feel the car. It is so strong now that I have to be very careful in putting the power down, as it is very easy to spin. I think the chassis tuning has helped corner speed significantly and I feel that putting a full time racer behind the wheel is really necessary now."
"In addition to the added power and torque, the car is clearly more capable. I'm really impressed with the 2012 updates to the EV-X11. All credit goes to Dante Zeviar, our CTO and chief designer, and the KleenSpeed mechanical and electrical engineers and crew members, with the input of pro racer, Kevin Mitz on chassis set up. "
"KleenSpeed wants to retain our lap record at Laguna Seca during the upcoming ReFuel TT and keep the EV-X11 as the fastest electric race car in the world. I'm very excited and looking forward to ReFuel on July 1st with confidence."
The ton breaks at 2012 TT ZERO with podium finishes for MotoCzysz and MUGEN Shinden
Mike Rutter, MotoCzysz, breaks the Ton at the 2012 TT-ZERO electric motorcycle race on the Isle of Man. Team mate Mark Miller and John McGuiness, riding for Mugen Shinden, also broke the Ton, with Rutter turning in the fastest time of 21:45.33 mins at an average speed of 104.056 miles/hr.
The race started at 3:40 PM today local time after several rain delays. Riders interviewed by Manx Radio were worried about track conditions, and IOM TT officials issued an official warning of damp patches and possible reduced visibility around the track. Nervous riders aside, the race went off and the teams did very well with three teams breaking the 100 miles/hr lap speed goal. At the same time several teams either did not even make it to the start line, or retired part way into the race. The Isle of Man Mountain Course is a tough test of men and machines.
The race was all about Rutter, Miller and McGuiness duking it out for the podium as well as the prize for besting the 100 miles/hr lap speed. All three achieved increasing lap speed, reaching nearly 120 miles/hr indicated lap speed, that is until they reached the mountain portion of the course.
At the Sulby speed trap the three were a bit slower, in the 120-130 miles/hr range, than Rutters 154 miles/hr speed he set during practice on Saturday. It was reported at that time that Rutter's power was pretty well drained by that practice lap, so clearly the strategy had to be to tone it down a bit for the actual race.
A surprise came at the Bungalow timing point when the transponder system indicated McGuiness reached that timing point first. Did that mean Rutter and Miller had bowed out of the race on the mountain? Nope, both showed up again at the Cronk ny Mona timing point, so the transponder system simply missed registering them.
Of the other riders, only Rob Barber managed to finish the race. He turned in a 78 miles/hr lap speed.
Of the 9 teams starting the race, only four finished. Clearly there are two ideas to take from that: 1) the Mountain Course is very tough, 2) the electric bikes still need some testing and refinement. For example the Ecotricity bike, the Ion Horse, ridden by George Spence, had trouble at the starting line with starting, then got underway, but by St. Ninians the bike developed some trouble, with Spence pulling over to the side of the road and then eventually retiring. Antonio Maeso, riding for Tork India, retired even earlier. Yoshinari Matsushita of KomattiMirai Racing made it to at least the Ramsey timing point before retiring.
I don't have a complete list of teams who were on the Island but didn't even make it to the starting line. One was Lightning Motorcycles whose rider, John Burrows, was down at the start line and got interviewed by Manx Radio. He felt completely let down by that team, complaining that the bike didn't make it to practice and now didn't make it to the start line, even after he had flown to California for testing the bike. Having seen the Lightning team at a dozen or so races, I'm sure that Hatfield and everyone he had on hand had busted their butts trying to get ready, but what counts is the results of the race.
Final results:
The race started at 3:40 PM today local time after several rain delays. Riders interviewed by Manx Radio were worried about track conditions, and IOM TT officials issued an official warning of damp patches and possible reduced visibility around the track. Nervous riders aside, the race went off and the teams did very well with three teams breaking the 100 miles/hr lap speed goal. At the same time several teams either did not even make it to the start line, or retired part way into the race. The Isle of Man Mountain Course is a tough test of men and machines.
The race was all about Rutter, Miller and McGuiness duking it out for the podium as well as the prize for besting the 100 miles/hr lap speed. All three achieved increasing lap speed, reaching nearly 120 miles/hr indicated lap speed, that is until they reached the mountain portion of the course.
 |
| Mike Rutter |
At the Sulby speed trap the three were a bit slower, in the 120-130 miles/hr range, than Rutters 154 miles/hr speed he set during practice on Saturday. It was reported at that time that Rutter's power was pretty well drained by that practice lap, so clearly the strategy had to be to tone it down a bit for the actual race.
A surprise came at the Bungalow timing point when the transponder system indicated McGuiness reached that timing point first. Did that mean Rutter and Miller had bowed out of the race on the mountain? Nope, both showed up again at the Cronk ny Mona timing point, so the transponder system simply missed registering them.
Of the other riders, only Rob Barber managed to finish the race. He turned in a 78 miles/hr lap speed.
Of the 9 teams starting the race, only four finished. Clearly there are two ideas to take from that: 1) the Mountain Course is very tough, 2) the electric bikes still need some testing and refinement. For example the Ecotricity bike, the Ion Horse, ridden by George Spence, had trouble at the starting line with starting, then got underway, but by St. Ninians the bike developed some trouble, with Spence pulling over to the side of the road and then eventually retiring. Antonio Maeso, riding for Tork India, retired even earlier. Yoshinari Matsushita of KomattiMirai Racing made it to at least the Ramsey timing point before retiring.
I don't have a complete list of teams who were on the Island but didn't even make it to the starting line. One was Lightning Motorcycles whose rider, John Burrows, was down at the start line and got interviewed by Manx Radio. He felt completely let down by that team, complaining that the bike didn't make it to practice and now didn't make it to the start line, even after he had flown to California for testing the bike. Having seen the Lightning team at a dozen or so races, I'm sure that Hatfield and everyone he had on hand had busted their butts trying to get ready, but what counts is the results of the race.
Final results:
- Mike Rutter, 2012 Motoczysz Elpc / Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz, 21 45.33 mins, 104.056 miles/hr
- John McGuinness, MUGEN Shinden / Team MUGEN, 22 08.85 mins, 102.215 miles/hr
- Mark Miller, 2012 Motoczysz Elpc / Team Segway Racing MotoCzysz, 22 23.97 mins, 101.065 miles/hr
- Rob Barber, Zero Emission TGM / TGM IOT - Vienna, 28 56.45 mins, 78.221 miles/hr
Monday, June 4, 2012
Random TTZERO tweets, Monday June 4, 2012, Lightning seen, MotoCzysz breaks ton, etc
Mon Jun 04 15:28:39 +0000 2012
#iomtt
Mon Jun 04 17:29:22 +0000 2012
Mon Jun 04 16:34:28 +0000 2012
Julian Ryder
Mon Jun 04 15:28:52 +0000 2012
Mon Jun 04 15:26:53 +0000 2012
James whitham
#ttzero
Mon Jun 04 14:37:26 +0000 2012
#ttzero
Mon Jun 04 14:56:15 +0000 2012
#iomtt
Mon Jun 04 14:06:45 +0000 2012
#iom_tt
Mon Jun 04 14:02:13 +0000 2012
#justaSundayride
Mon Jun 04 10:31:50 +0000 2012
#iomtt
Zytek makes hard decision to withdraw from 2012 SES TT Zero
NOTE: This is copied directly from an IOMTT press release.
The Zytek Bournemouth Kawasaki racing team has withdrawn from the SES TT Zero challenge at the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The decision to postpone the debut of the team was due to the ambitious nature of the plan to harness the very latest in electronic power train technology, and the team not being able to complete the comprehensive testing schedule it had planned.
Zytek had pursued its own motive solution developing an innovative, technically-advanced Permanent Magnet Motor, with a liquid-cooled rotor and the latest in Field Orientated control techniques for their electric racing motorcycle. Relying on this advanced technology the team developed a motor with more power and torque than a modern 600cc in a package weighing only 20kg which, when combined with their choice of Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R chassis and racing suspension, gave the project a real possibility of podium success.
Zytek spokesman Des Hill explained withdrawal was not an easy decision.
He said:
“Due to the boundary-stretching nature of the technology involved it naturally takes time to test all the systems fully to prove their reliability and effectiveness for powering an electric racing motorcycle.”
“When you add the normal demands of TT racing, such as suspension and chassis refinement to suit the rider’s specific requirements, it is possible to perhaps understand what huge time pressure we were under.”
“Unfortunately we have not completed our planned test programme in time to be able to commit to racing in the 2012 SES TT Zero. Zytek would like to thank the TT organisers for all their help and encouragement along with our partners, Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing and the many other sponsors who have helped push this ambitious project forward.”
He added:
“For our rider, James Hillier, I know it will be frustrating, but he can rest safe in the knowledge that once our test programme is finally complete, we will have a formidable racing motorcycle displaying some of the most advanced technology yet featured in the class.”
http://www.iomtt.com/News/2012/06/01/Zytek-makes-hard-decision-to-withdraw-from-2012-SES-TT-Zero.aspx
The Zytek Bournemouth Kawasaki racing team has withdrawn from the SES TT Zero challenge at the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The decision to postpone the debut of the team was due to the ambitious nature of the plan to harness the very latest in electronic power train technology, and the team not being able to complete the comprehensive testing schedule it had planned.
Zytek had pursued its own motive solution developing an innovative, technically-advanced Permanent Magnet Motor, with a liquid-cooled rotor and the latest in Field Orientated control techniques for their electric racing motorcycle. Relying on this advanced technology the team developed a motor with more power and torque than a modern 600cc in a package weighing only 20kg which, when combined with their choice of Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R chassis and racing suspension, gave the project a real possibility of podium success.
Zytek spokesman Des Hill explained withdrawal was not an easy decision.
He said:
“Due to the boundary-stretching nature of the technology involved it naturally takes time to test all the systems fully to prove their reliability and effectiveness for powering an electric racing motorcycle.”
“When you add the normal demands of TT racing, such as suspension and chassis refinement to suit the rider’s specific requirements, it is possible to perhaps understand what huge time pressure we were under.”
“Unfortunately we have not completed our planned test programme in time to be able to commit to racing in the 2012 SES TT Zero. Zytek would like to thank the TT organisers for all their help and encouragement along with our partners, Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing and the many other sponsors who have helped push this ambitious project forward.”
He added:
“For our rider, James Hillier, I know it will be frustrating, but he can rest safe in the knowledge that once our test programme is finally complete, we will have a formidable racing motorcycle displaying some of the most advanced technology yet featured in the class.”
http://www.iomtt.com/News/2012/06/01/Zytek-makes-hard-decision-to-withdraw-from-2012-SES-TT-Zero.aspx
The "ton" is gonna break in this years TT ZERO at IOM TT 2012 - MotoCzysz 102mph lap
The Isle of Man Government has put up a £10,000 prize fund for the first bike in the TT ZERO to "break the ton", meaning turn in a lap speed over 100 miles/hr. Last year Mike Rutter riding for MotoCzysz nearly did the deed, with a 99.604 miles/hr lap speed, and team-mate Mark Miller not far behind with a 98.288 miles/hr lap speed. It's widely expected that the ton will break this year, if only because of the year-on-year advances all the teams have made, not to mention entrance of deep pocketed teams like Mugen.
Trawling the IOM TT forums, I find that today in practice Mike Rutter did indeed turn in a 100+ mph lap. One must note that the official TT Week schedule does not have time slots for TT ZERO practice or qualifying, but the organizers must be including TT ZERO bikes with the other classes for qualifying and practice runs. That part is rather unclear from my perspective thousands of miles away.
In any case the report on the forum says: 102.5 miles/hr, lap speed, and another thread claims he hit 153 miles/hr top speed
A followup comment said the MotoCzysz bike was pretty well spent after that, and that the Mugen bike had a lot left, passing the grandstand doing 97 miles/hr. That means Mugen can "turn the wick up and cruise to victory." On the other hand both MotoCzysz bikes lost their dashboards during the run, leaving the riders to guess how much power they had.
http://www.iomtt.com/Home/Forum/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=290129
http://www.iomtt.com/Home/Forum/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=290128
Trawling the IOM TT forums, I find that today in practice Mike Rutter did indeed turn in a 100+ mph lap. One must note that the official TT Week schedule does not have time slots for TT ZERO practice or qualifying, but the organizers must be including TT ZERO bikes with the other classes for qualifying and practice runs. That part is rather unclear from my perspective thousands of miles away.
In any case the report on the forum says: 102.5 miles/hr, lap speed, and another thread claims he hit 153 miles/hr top speed
A followup comment said the MotoCzysz bike was pretty well spent after that, and that the Mugen bike had a lot left, passing the grandstand doing 97 miles/hr. That means Mugen can "turn the wick up and cruise to victory." On the other hand both MotoCzysz bikes lost their dashboards during the run, leaving the riders to guess how much power they had.
 |
| Rutter for MotoCzysz |
 |
| Morecambe Missile not far behind. |
http://www.iomtt.com/Home/Forum/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=290129
http://www.iomtt.com/Home/Forum/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=290128
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