EV Racing

The eGrandPrix (TTXGP and EMXGP) is undergoing an interesting transformation that may also transform how racing is done. I've talked with Azhar Hussain about this enough to know something of where he's coming from.

Basically the existing racing organizations are run as top down hierarchies imposing rules and a kind of oligarchy. (It may not be technically an oligarchy but it sure has the flavor of one)

One effect of the top down control is that anything "new" has to overcome large barriers. e.g. If it doesn't fit into the rule book then they'll reject it, right? But what if it's a perfectly fine thing that just happens to be outside the rules?

In any case - eGrandPrix has made a couple steps toward an open and sharing model of racing, rather than the top down hierarchical control model. As an open source software advocate I'm loving this, but I've seen a couple comments calling it communism (and for that matter some people call open source software communism).

The first step was the TTXGP Rules Wiki - http://wiki.eGrandPrix.com - where you can register with the wiki and start rewriting the rules - or debating the rules in the comment section. The rules will still be passed through a technical committee but it's a radically different way to write racing rules than is done in other racing organizations.

The second step was recently revealed - http://TRUST.EGRANDPRIX.ORG (TEO)

The idea is for the teams participating in TTXGP races to own the TTXGP organization. All proceeds to TTXGP will go into a pool, and teams participating in TTXGP will earn units. Unit holders will receive income from the earnings pool based on their level of participation. You can't buy your way in, you earn position by racing.

It's very interesting... check it out.

I've constructed a calendar of TTXGP, TT Zero and e-Power races for 2010

Direct URL: http://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/davidherron.com/embed?src=davidher...

iCal: http://www.google.com/calendar/ical/davidherron.com_jrlac4nqi5gebm77e6lj...

Cross posted from the NEDRA list:

As promised by James here at EV Components we now have 500 Headway 30120-P cells
in the warehouse for install into the Pinto. Over
the last few days I have been doing some initial stress testing of these cells
to see just what I can expect in the Pinto. If you
remember the Pinto weighs in at approximately 3200 lbs which includes its 848 lb
lead acid Enersys pack. My preliminary tests on
these headway cells indicate I can run 4 strings of 120 cells each for a total
pack weight of 316 lbs for a weight savings of 532
lbs. If we change nothing else on the car other than the batteries we are
looking at weighing in at an approximate 2668 lbs :-)

The weight savings may even be a little better because I'm likely to take out
the front battery tray to which through a mistake at
the fab shop came out weighing way too much. So there will definitely be an
additional 40 lb weight savings ;-) So lets make the
anticipated 2010 Racing season weight target 2628 lbs.

Now to the fun stuff. I'm still trying to find my datalogger in my packed up
stuff, but I wanted at least pull some juice from
these things and I did find my 500 amp carbon pile load tester. So I rigged up
4 Headway -P test cells in series (for the 12V load
tester). I put meters on each cell as well as a current shunt and a K-
thermocouple temp probe in the middle of the cell pack. I
also check with a Greenlee clamp on ammeter.

I noticed after the first couple nights of torture (I mean the interrogation)
that the first run of a modest 200 amps would pull
the cells down to and a little below the 2.0v cutoff limit I'm holding the
testing to. This would quickly heat the cells up from
20*C up to about 35*C. At 35*C and up they would hold the full load of the load
tester which with the knob fully tightened in the
clockwise position was 428 amps.

Now let me back up a little and keep you thinking about that 428 amp number. My
testing conditions are as follows. Cells start in
a fully charged condition. The test starts by dialing the load tester up to the
desired amps and the timer starts. The test ends
when either 15 seconds has elapsed or one of the cell voltages drops to 2.0V.
At the conclusion of a test the sagged cell voltages,
the max and min current readings, cell temp and the resting voltage of the cells
at least 1 minute after the test is complete are
recorded. There is actually a lag time reading the cell temp as the temperature
probe still senses increase in temp for several
minutes after a pull. The cells would then be recharged back to 4.2V each (which
took about 10 minutes for a recharge with
individual 10A chargers).

So back to the numbers. After doing a brief low current pull that puts a little
heat into the cells I would commence doing fixed
current pulls. In one series of runs I would make the current 300 amps for each
pull until I was comfortable the cells could
sustain that for in excess of my 15 second tests. In another set of runs I
would max out the load tester to see just what the max
current the cells would output. In one series where I did max current pulls I
found that the current was temperature related (no
big surprise). Also I suspect with the load tester in the max position I just
cant get the pile resistance any lower. I may need
a bigger load tester ;-)

So here are some initial results. They are certainly not fully conclusive and I
do not yet have enough runs of the tests to say the
cells are going to hold up to continued abuse. But here they are for what they
are worth.

Max draw Test:
Test #1 320A dropped to 300Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.0V
temp 35*C
Test #2 350A dropped to 320Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.21V
temp 47*C
Test #3 397A dropped to 320Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.11V
temp 57*C
Test #4 410A dropped to 340Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.21
temp 61*C
Test #5 400A dropped to 340Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.18V
temp 61*C
Test #6 415A dropped to 360Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.21V
temp 64*C
Test #7 428A dropped to 360Amps in 15 seconds, cells generally down to 2.26V
temp 69*C
(Test #3 - 6 cooling was applied to the cells prior to making the next test)
Test #8 held current at a steady 350 amps for 20 seconds, cells generally
dropped to 2.30 V temp 77*C
Test#9 was a repeat 350amp steady draw without recharging and I could not get
enough load to keep the current from dropping to 320
amps, and the cell voltages dipped to 2.0V before the 15 seconds was up.

This is one sampling of the data that I've recorded and will get several
different measurements including time to cutoff voltage at
different discharge rates. But I need my data logging equipment unpacked for
that.

I am optimistic that if I can get reliable 350A discharge rates consistently
then I can run 4 strings of these for 1400 battery
amps. If I can hook up with that much battery current with the reduced weight
and I need more current I may have to add in another
79 lb string of 120 cells.

I still have more playing around with the cells to do, and some design work to
figure out how and where they will fit in the car.
Space isn't an issue but weight placement is. So I'll add some detail as I go.

Oh yeah.... a few teaser pics here
http://www.thefoat.com/fa/m-photos_album/album_id-555/member_id-cp%2BndsLnd2IM3o\
hQzYqz0w%3D%3D

Enjoy
Mike

Sweden Fields An Electric Motorcycle Team
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/02/swedish-electric-race-tea/

http://www.iomtt.com/News/2010/02/24/TT-winner-confirmed-for-2010-TT-Zero-race.aspx

Swedish Electric Racing Team
http://www.sertracing.se/

Big motor! Where does the battery pack go?

I published an article outlining some controversy in the Isle of Man government over their decision that led to launching TT Zero

Isle of Man controversy launched by the decision to drop TTXGP and start TT Zero

I referred to several excellent articles including:

Isle of Man minister blasts TT organisers over TTXGP split

AGV Backmarker: Electric race promoter shocker, Part 2

AGV Backmarker: TT Zero

Reposted from: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14333-Green-Transportation-Examiner~y2010m2d9-In-electric-motorcycle-racing-drama-the-TTXGP-c...

When an empire strikes back it's likely with the expectation that it's swatting a fly.  Sometimes the underdog is able to win even though the empire looks like an 8000 pound gorilla that can smash anything in its path.  These tortured allusions to movies and wildlife don't do justice to the strange battle brewing in the nascent sport of electric motorcycle racing.  As noted in earlier reporting the old simple story (TTXGP and FIM collaborating to create electric motorcycle racing) has morphed first into two and now three competing electric motorcycle race series.  TTXGP, the newcomer, has developed a series of electric motorcycle races.  FIM is the international authority overseeing the sport of motorcycle racing.  The unfolding events include an announcement on Feb 8 from the Isle of Man Government seeking to clarify their position over why they replaced the TTXGP organization with their own race, the TT Zero.

The statement from The Isle of Man government is said to be in response to "the speculation and unsubstantiated claims" about the decision to run the TT Zero rather than TTXGP race during the yearly TT Week events.  They describe negotiations which began in July 2009, shortly after TTXGP 2009 was run during TT 2009, and continued into December of 2009.  The key issue in their mind appears to be the dates of the EMXGP race (June 4,5,6), scheduled to occur during TT Week (June 5-11).  They claim this created a conflict that "effectively prevented TTXGP from participating in the allotted schedule in TT 2010." In a possible deviation from reality they claim that, on Dec 21, 2009, TTXGP Ltd gave notice of an inability to reschedule the EMXGP race and that TTXGP would be unable to participate in TT 2010.  If true, the steps taken by the TT organization (forming the TT Zero race) would be a reasonable response.

A statement from Azhar Hussain states “I can confirm the question of Paris or issues of financial packages were not factors in the decision making and am disappointed that it is being suggested so.  We remain surprised about the decision as we did everything possible to make this happen."  In a mid January meeting with this writer, Azhar Hussain did say there were negotiation difficulties with the TT organization but did not allude to any change of plan regarding TTXGP participation in TT 2010.  Further to this day the TTXGP FAQ (on their website) discusses how to participate in the Isle of Man 2010 TTXGP race.  All indications are that the TTXGP team expected to hold a race on the Isle of Man during TT week.  That is, until IOMTT announced the TT Zero race.

In what may be the more important contest the TTXGP series is gathering more racing teams than either FIM's e-Power or the TT Zero races.  Currently only one team, Epo-Bike, has announced an intention to race with FIM's e-Power.  Currently zero teams have announced an intention to race in TT Zero, but to be fair they only posted the entry form a week ago.  On the other hand a couple handfuls of teams have announced they will race with TTXGP, and some will race exclusively with TTXGP.  The most recent of these is Brunel University's X-Team who raced in TTXGP 2009.   

Further Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP organization has received a lot of support.  This writer polled many of the teams concerning which race series they would participate in, and most replied stating support and respect for Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP organization.  Typical is this statement from CRP Racing, "Azhar Hussain is the only person in the world who has the experience and skills to organize and promote a worldwide electric championship."

Before Azhar Hussain launched the TTXGP in 2008 the FIM's alternative fuel program was studying the use of biofuels in motorcycle racing.  Biofuels, in the form of alcohol, are already widely used in racing so it's puzzling what FIM would have been studying.  Maybe they were looking for a way to greenwash themselves with a nice palatable shade of green.  The success of TTXGP 2009 is thought to have alarmed FIM into taking these actions.  FIM exists to provide structure to motorcycle racing in the form of rules and technical guidance but it also dominates the sport of motorcycle racing.  History has thousands of examples where a dominant organization begins to see any newcomer as a threat to their domination.  Hence we should not be surprised at a statement found by Ivar Kvadsheim in FIM's report on a "Green Enduro" event FIM held just before the Copenhagen climate summit.  "With a new area of motorcycling and motorcycle sports in progress, we see initiatives for green riding where no «ownership» has yet been established. If FIM should let this happen without offering partnership and support, we could risk that the future of motorcycling no longer would be associated with FIM."  This is an astonishingly honest almost direct admission that they fear if TTXGP becomes too popular that FIM could be destroyed.  As Ivar says in his blog post, "If FIM had done what this report suggests and offered support and partnership to other initiatives, they could be both important AND useful. Sadly the reality is they are important, greedy and stupid. Result: The tiny resources available for e-bike racing are split in three."

For more info: 

TTXGP booted from Isle of Man TT races, electric motorcycle racing split worsens?

Electric motorcycle racing soap opera between TTXGP and FIM

Is the FIM attempting to "steal" electric motorcycle racing from TTXGP?

FIM launching the E-Power electric motorcycle racing series, without TTXGP

TTXGP UK Championship 2010 agreement, and other TTXGP news

Announcements from SWIGZ.COM, CRP Racing, Zero Motorcycles demonstrate support for TTXGP

666 Racing announced they will race with the TTXGP organization during 2010

Statement From The Isle of Man Government Regarding TT Zero and TTXGP Ltd

Electric racing at war: conflicting statements from Isle of Man and TTXGP

First FIM e-Power entry confirmed

Epo-Bike First Confirmed FIM ePower Entry

Brunel X-Team Returns In 2010 With The BX-10

CRP racing backs TTXGP founder

eCRP 1.0 Electric Motorcycle CRP Technology

FIM: We can't risk "green" riding without FIM ownership

Unveiling the eCRP 1.0 - exclusive to TTXGP 2010

Status of various teams in TTXGP and FIM racing series

The Isle of Man TT is the most dangerous, most demanding motorcycle road race in the world. The TT is run annually on the Isle of Man, a tiny island in the Irish Sea, between England and Ireland.

It's difficult: The 37.733-mile race course uses public roads—through villages, over 2,000' Snaefell Mountain, between stone walls, with 266 turns. Top speed is around 200mph and the current lap record is 131.578mph.

And it's dangerous: From 1907, when the race was founded, through the 2009 races, there have been 227 deaths.

In all the 102 years the TT has been run, no American has ever stood on the podium in the modern premier classes, though Dave Roper won the 1984 500cc Historic race--which was run only that year.

We are the US TT Foundation, and with your help, we will change that.

This is a grassroots effort: We are collecting individual donations to send 2-time AMA Superstock champion Jimmy Moore to the 2010 Isle Of Man TT. Donate just $10 and receive a USTT Supporter decal—and your name as a sponsor on Jimmy's USTT race bike. Click here to donate, or learn more about this and other sponsorship opportunities.

The TTXGP organizers (eGrandPrix) weren't satisfied with just motorcycle racing. In December they announced a road racing series to be called EMXGP. The map of the route for the first EMXGP race has been announced

The E-Grand Prix is partnering with GP-Elec, and the events will take place at in Levalllois, Paris’ city center. M. Patrick Balkany, Maire of Le Levalllois, and MP of Les Hauts-de-Seine, fought hard to have the races in his borough, believing the races would garner attention for environmental issues in the city and lasting development for his people.

"World premiere for Paris - June 4/5/6, 2010 Electric Motorsports comes alive in a dazzling special event"

http://www.egrandprix.com/emxgp_register.php

Italian Factory CRP Unveils Its E-Motorcycle
http://www.roadracerx.com/news/italian-factory-crp-unveils-its-e-motorcycle/

CRP Racing is one of the companies selling bikes for potential TTXGP teams to race with. They've unveiled the bike at the Motorsport Industry Association’s (MIA) Cleaner Racing Conference happening right now.

eCRP 1.0 technical specs
FRAME Aluminium double beam
REAR SWING ARM Aluminum Alloy
FRONT SUSPENSION “Upside-Down” telescopic hydraulic fork OHLINS Stem dia. 43 mm
REAR SUSPENSION OHLINS Hydraulic progressive shock absorber
FRONT BRAKE Floating Braking Wave Disc dia. 320 mm
REAR BRAKE Single Braking Wave Disc dia. 220 mm
CALIPER Four pistons radial “Brembo” caliper
WHEEL RIMS Forged Aluminum Marchesini; Front Rim – Size 3.50″x17’’; Rear Rim – Size 5.50’’x17″
FRONT TIRE Front Tire - Size 120 x 70-17
REAR TIRE Rear Tire – Size 165 x 60- 17
WHEELBASE Wheelbase –1376 mm
MOTORS Dual DC “Agni 95″ electric motors.
VOLTAGE 72 V
BATTERIES 6 KW/h Batteries Pack52 packs (4 sets of 13 packs each)
CONTROLLER Size 480mm x 150mm x 60mm
CHARGER Zivan NG3 - 96 V
BMS - Battery Management System
WEIGHT 175 Kg.
CHARGING TIME 2h
ENDURANCE RANGE 40Km (depending on track conditions)
SPEED 180 Km/h

This appears to be about assuaging the criticism of potential conflict of interest between Mavizen (owned by Azhar Hussain) and TTXGP rules decisions (TTXGP owned by Azhar Hussain). Azhar has posted some explanation (see My response to “For The Sake of The Game,” by Azhar Hussain) that's basically saying what he told me over the phone in October when I asked him about this. Namely: There is an arms length arrangement between all the entities and in particular the rules making and decisions are being done by an advisory board managed by the IET and Azhar is not involved with nor has access to decisions.

In any case anybody can look at the rules - they can register for the wiki and edit the rules. Brammofan will be there to watch out for miscreants.

http://www.egrandprix.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Background information:-

TTXGP Crowdsources the 2011 Rule Book

TTXGP: You write the rules

Electric motorcycle racing soap opera between TTXGP and FIM