MotoGP's electric future with GP technical director

[kevin 714]

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/269078/1/motogp-electric-support-series-ready-for-2019.html

Plans are continuing for a future electric bike championship, to support MotoGP at a handful of events.

MotoGP Director of Technology Corrado Cecchinelli is investigating the practicality of what would start as a single-spec series.

Although yet to be given the official go-ahead, it 'looks like' happening in 2019.

"We are not considering an electric engine for any of the three grand prix classes we have now," Cecchinelli told Crash.net. "We are considering a separate, single-spec series, to be held at a small number of MotoGP events.


"We are in the process of investigating if it is practical to do that. And, if so, who could be the partner.

"But first we have to realise if there is even the chance to make a reasonable race with an electric bike, in the targeted timeframe, which is a couple of years. So we are talking about more or less 2019. Is there a chance to be on track then? It looks like yes."

Why start an electric bike series and why make it single spec?

"We are interested for a number of reasons," Cecchinelli said. "One is because we have to live in the real world and realise what is going to happen [within the motorcycling industry] and it is sensible to start in the simplest possible way, which is a spec series.
Read more at http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/26...eries-ready-for-2019.html#YULYOxEyaepKVGQ0.99

 

[RightCoastBias]

This could be great for electric motos. I imagine they won't run as many laps as GP/Moto2/Moto3 will, but could be pretty rad.

I will say though, the visceral sound of a ICE moto blasting around a track makes for half of the experience when attending a race.

 

[NSR500]

It would be cool if they did a classic grid start by running to their bikes. Then they race for 20+ laps with a bike or battery swap at 1/2 point.

 

[Smash Allen]

this is dope. i can't wait to shadow-strafe my buddies on the track. also, traction control tuning is going to be the tits on electric motor

 

[Ducky_Fresh]

Uh, they have/had an electric series? The bikes were fast as shit and fully capable.

In the end, they will be faster. Way faster due to acceleration.

Agree, I cannot imagine quiet bikes going by. They'll need to do something about that.

http://emotoracing.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TTXGP

 

[Kurosaki]

I watched an open wheel electric car race the other day. For me, the fact that they were electric and not ICE really changed nothing in terms of the viewing experience.

I can't speak for actually attending a race in person though as I've never seen an e-race in person and as said above, the sound is a big part of the live experience.

 

[kevin 714]

hard to replicate dual exhaust panigale rumbling your chest cavity

 

[Smash Allen]

hard to replicate dual exhaust panigale rumbling your chest cavity

Do you ever see people at sporting events with their radio headphones listening to a broadcast? Imagine that, but instead of announcers it will be that sweet sweet sounds of yesteryear IC. For additional fee, chest-mounted Rumble Pak included:laughing

 

[stangmx13]

We don't need great sound to enjoy the race, see Moto3. Speaking of that, I hope the electric bikes are well under 100HP so the racing stays close due to the draft.

 

[kevin 714]

Do you ever see people at sporting events with their radio headphones listening to a broadcast? Imagine that, but instead of announcers it will be that sweet sweet sounds of yesteryear IC. For additional fee, chest-mounted Rumble Pak included:laughing

lol my granpa always did that :laughing

 

[Ducky_Fresh]

Do you ever see people at sporting events with their radio headphones listening to a broadcast? Imagine that, but instead of announcers it will be that sweet sweet sounds of yesteryear IC. For additional fee, chest-mounted Rumble Pak included:laughing

Might be on to something there...................Seriously.

 

[kevin 714]

Every other sport is silent and people are fine. Soccer is incredibly silent.


Certainly its unique to motor sports but it's not a wall to people not listening

 

[Kurosaki]

Every other sport is silent and people are fine. Soccer is incredibly silent.


Certainly its unique to motor sports but it's not a wall to people not listening

 

[Starpower]

Interviewed the ed. of Car and Driver and we talked EVs and touched on racing Formula E. He loved the races and appreciated the new sound experience - all the things not normally heard like hard parts touching down (far more than you might think) and cars scraping on each other. Plus you can talk to the person next to you.

As the owner of a Zero S I'm addicted and look forward to electric bikes racing. Just saw a vid of a '17 Zero SR smoke a H2 for a block.

 

[cencalballer]

We don't need great sound to enjoy the race, see Moto3. Speaking of that, I hope the electric bikes are well under 100HP so the racing stays close due to the draft.

I absolutely love the way they sound and Moto2 has that f1 shriek that has been missing. Moto3 is a bunch of turbo prop planes and they're in a dogfight.

 

[Map8]

I'm trying to imagine the hills above Mugello with crazy Italians spinning up electric motors. If only someone from CRC had been there recently to share his or her experience.

 

[Alexey]

I think this will be awesome. Hearing all the other sounds from the action should be fascinating.

 

[Ducky_Fresh]

I'm trying to imagine the hills above Mugello with crazy Italians spinning up electric motors. If only someone from CRC had been there recently to share his or her experience.

I'm failing big time, I know. I started dabbling with the videos.. was trying to get 2 min videos per day with highlights and good sound tracks... MOAR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cycle Gear]

They've been testing the Lightning this year at COTA and then at Laguna. Some growing pains it sounds like, but they're getting things squared away. Loris Capirossi nearly looped it on pit exit so the power isn't an issue.

 

[Bassem]

I'm failing big time, I know. I started dabbling with the videos.. was trying to get 2 min videos per day with highlights and good sound tracks... MOAR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Called it! :laughing