The Isle of Man TT is splitting with TTXGP and launching its own zero emissions race. "This is an indication of how seriously we take [zero emissions racing]," says TT representative Simon Crellin, "we're bringing it under the same umbrella as all other TT racing."
Brutal...They can't even get along for a few years.
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/01/tt-zero-isle-of-man-tt-splits.html
See my article: TTXGP booted from Isle of Man TT races, electric motorcycle racing split worsens?
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
This is very sad.
I wonder what on earth is going on?
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
I know from having spoken with Azhar several times that he's working real hard to get things going. The fact is that there have been a dozen or more teams announce they would race in TTXGP races, some of them announcing exclusivity with TTXGP, while only one team has announced for FIM. I know of several more teams who've not announced yet.
That is an interesting statistic.
However - FIM does have a contractual hold over the sport. If FIM decides to not like you then it becomes hard to do business because it's FIM's court.
- David Herron, The Long Tail Pipe, davidherron.com, 7gen.com, What is Reiki
I think something similar happened with SuperMotard. FIM has this habit of hijacking anything new and successful in motorcycle racing. If it works, they want a piece.
It's sad because the Isle of Man race is the ideal place to showcase electric motorcycles. It's more like a real drive or commute than riding around a track. It's a real "road" race.
I really didn't care about the competing series as long as the TTXPG was at the Isle of Man. That would remain the most important race and the one to draw the most attention, as it did so well last year.
I hope this does not screw up the teams and the builders. I wonder what the corporate world, like Best Buy, thinks of the badly managed parting of ways.
The one thing that makes me happy is that Craig Vetter has joined the eGrandPrix Rules Wiki... its on www.plugbike.com today.
Vetter's arguement for streamlining is great. Take a look if you haven't done so:
http://www.craigvetter.com/Movies/2008-Vetter-FIM.mov
All those beautiful old streamlined bikes...some day I want my scooter to look like that