Motorcycle racing isn’t usually associated with the fight against global warming. But on 12th June 2009, the world-famous Isle of Man TT races will include the TTXGP – the first ever zero-emissions grand prix races. All the bikes taking part will be electric.
Whilst they might be good for the environment, these bikes aren’t slow. They’re capable of up to 150 mph around the 37.733-mile TT mountain course. They have no gears, just different power settings. If the torque of Tesla electric cars are anything to go by, the acceleration should be phenomenal.
Seventeen teams with 23 entries are taking part. They come from as far afield as India, Austria, Germany, Italy, the US, the UK and the Isle of Man itself. But the American teams that are the favourites. In particular, one US entry, Mission One, is well funded. It was founded by an engineer at Tesla and is promising 150mph top speed with 150 mile range.
It will be interesting to see how the race goes. Foe more information, go to www.ttxgp.com.
