University chases Zero dream
• Not deterred by Covid-19, engineering students target Isle of Man for 2022
A group of 25 students from the University of Warwick are gunning for podium success in the 2022 Isle of Man TT Zero with their new Warwick Moto Aurora electric superbike.
Set to be piloted by road racer, Tom Weeden, the Aurora is based on an RR8-model Honda Fireblade, but the 175bhp, 999cc four-cylinder engine has been replaced by an oil-cooled 17kWh battery and an electric powertrain producing a claimed 201.2bhp and an incredible 295.2lb.ft of torque. Alongside the electric motor, the 260kg superbike also gets a new carbon fibre subframe and repositioned radiator to maximise cooling. School of Engineering student, Aman Surana, who is managing the Warwick Moto team, said: “We have tried our best to design a bike that is performance oriented but is also a learning platform for us as students. “With the TT cancellation and our racing and testing plans impacted with Covid-19, our focus has been to make strategic decisions that align with our long-term objectives and ensures that future teams have something to work with.”
Much of the recent development has had to take place with students working from home, due to coronavirus, but the team have also collaborated with the likes of Mupo Race Suspension and Michelin. The team are now looking to raise £1000 via donations and sponsors through their Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warwickmoto
• Following ten years of competition, it was announced last year that both the 2020 and 2021 TT Zero races would be cancelled. This was done in a bid to help develop and expand the one-lap-class, prior to its return.
• ‘It’s about performance and learning too’
AMAN SURANA, PROJECT MANAGER