Drayson Racing Technologies and Lola Group unveiled an electric-powered Le Mans Prototype racing car, the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV, at the 2012 Low Carbon Racing Conference at Britain’s Motorsports Industry Association Conference on Jan. 11.
Lord Drayson, former racing driver, former British minister of science and innovation, managing partner at Drayson Racing Technologies and president of the Motorsport Industry Association said on the Drayson Racing website:
“Electric racing represents a considerable new business opportunity for motorsport and underlines the growing commercial potential of green racing and technology. Electric-powered racing is really taking off with the launch of the new FIA Formula E world championship for electric racing cars planned for 2013 and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of the push for innovation at such an exciting time for the sport and industry.
“The B12/69EV racing car that we are unveiling today showcases advances such as inductive charging, composite battery power, moveable aerodynamics, and electrical regenerative damping, making it one of the most innovative clean-tech motorsport project in the world. With over 850 horsepower, it aims to be the fastest electric-powered racecar to lap a circuit.”
Martin Birrane, Lola Group chairman added, “This innovative new project will evidence several new technologies with a variety of well-known technical suppliers, to show that zero carbon, clean racing can be fast and exciting, whilst offering a stimulating engineering challenge.”
While powerful and doubtless very fast, the new car will not be able to compete in endurance races like the Le Mans 24 Hours. Instead the car has been designed to set lap records, proving that an electric car can be just as fast as its internal-combustion-powered counterparts.
