TTXGP 2009 - Electric Motorcycle Grand Prix

Mission Motors’ Thomas Montano was first off the starting line for the inaugural electric motorcycle grand prix. Crowds of onlookers watched in amazement as the electric machines silently made their way onto the course.

The trackside was was packed with spectators as they struggled to catch a glimpse of the TTXGP machines setting off. While most of the riders qualified in the earlier two practice sessions of the week, all of the the bikes were allowed to race in recognition to the teams’ dedication and hard work. Those who did not qualify wore orange vests.

Ahead of the riders was the longest road racing track in the world stretching 37.5 miles with no less than 264 bends and a 1400ft ascent onto the Snaefell mountain. With as much as 10kW of lithium power storage per bike the ultra efficient machines made their way around the track at speeds in excess of 100mph. The fastest bike through the Sulby trap was Thomas Shoefelder on the XXL machine with a speed of 106.5mph followed closely by James Mc Bride on the ManTTX machine at 99.1mph. The favourite, Rob Barber, riding the Agni Bike, clocked a slower speed than his previous two practice runs at 97.8mph.

Rob Barber quickly gained ground on all of the competitors and completed the race in 25minutes 53.5seconds with an average speed of 87.434mph.

You can hear the full audio from the race here… http://www.supload.com/listen?s=LWN0RC

Sulby Speed trap times

Position    No.    Name                          Machine                       Speed Trap (mph)
1             12    Rob Barber                    2009 AGNI X01             97.800
2             18    Thomas Schoenfelder     2009 XXL Racing Team  106.500
3             16    James McBride               2009 ManTTx               99.100
4             11    Roy Richardson              2009 Brammo              83.200
5             26    Mark Buckley                 2009 Brammo              85.500
6              1    Thomas Montano            2009 Mission Motors      88.300
7              8    Chris Petty                     2009 Barefoot Motors    80.400
8             17    John Crellin                   TORK                           66.500
9             24    Stephen Harper              2009 Brunel X-team     61.300