Racing into the electric era
FROM 2020: PLANS TO REPLACE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WITH ELECTRIC MOTORS
IMG collaborating with FIA and a number of car manufacturers on this project.
Like them or loathe them, electrically powered vehicles will gain considerable ground at the top end of international circuit racing in the near future. Last week, two of the Adrenaline Game’s most spectacular franchises confirmed their firm intention and long-term plans to replace internal combustion engines with electric motors.
The FIM, motorcycle racing’s international governing body, called a second briefing for representatives from the teams to take part in next year’s inaugural Enel MotoE World Cup season.
The second planning session saw Cup executive director Nicolas Goubert lead proceedings, joined by Dorna Sports managing director Pau Serracanta, technological director Corrado Cecchineli, sporting manager Carlos Ezpeleta and IRTA CEO Mike Trimby.
At this stage, the teams comitted to the series are Ajo Motorsport, Tech 3 Racing, LCR Team, Marc VDS, Pramac Racing, Angel Nieto, Esponsorama Avintia, Gresini Racing, Pons Racing, Dynavolt Intact GP and SIC58 Squadra Corse. The meeting concluded various matters.
MotoGP Class teams will have two riders, whereas the Moto2 and Moto3 teams will have a single entry each.
The teams were also presented with the process for selecting and naming MotoE riders, which will be the standard selection committee procedure for other classes in the MotoGP World Championship.
A provisional schedule for race weekends will see two 30-minute free practice sessions on a Friday, held approximately four hours apart, before an E-Pole qualifying session on Saturday.
The race is planned for Sunday in order to provide full TV production and ensure spectators will be trackside, with MotoE to take place after MotoGP Warm Ups as the first race of the day.
The test schedule for the 2019 MotoE series was updated, with the first official test scheduled at the end of November at the Jerez circuit.
On the technical side, teams will be allowed to use four front and five rear Michelin slick tyres and three front and four rear rain tyres per Grand Prix.
A list of acceptable data logging systems and parts was also provided, while teams received an explanation of the set-ups and adjustments that they and the riders will be able to play with.
A provisional plan for the setup of the E-paddock has been made, including the motorcycle charging system provided by Enel.
Moreover, Energica training programme slots for team staff who will be working on the bikes have been confirmed during September and October.
After being ridden by four-time World Champion Max Biaggi on the Mugello MotoGP weekend, the Energica Ego Corsa will next lap the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the hands of home hero Alex Crivillé. as anticipation grows ahead of full-time competition in 2019.
Meanwhile, the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council has approved plans for the World Rallycross Championship to involve an electric series from 2020.
IMG has collaborated with the FIA and a number of car manufacturers on this project for the last 18 months, while working to ensure privateers can also compete in the new Championship.
The involved car manufacturers face a July 30 deadline for their commitment to the electric championship.
The FIA has appointed single suppliers for two key parts of the Championship car. ORECA for the chassis and Williams Advanced Engineering for batteries. – Circuit Racing Correspondent