Shocking news: electric vehicle event coming to Christchurch

27 October, 2015

 

A  new electric vehicle event is set to quietly take over the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Ruapuna in late November. EVolocity is being marketed as a fast-paced, innovative, and exciting motorsport event with an environmental twist — demonstrating electric vehicle performance and efficiency.

The event is the brainchild of the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV), which aims to promote the use of electric vehicles and also encourage innovation in the future of transport.

“EVolocity is the first-ever day of electric motorsport in New Zealand, and we think that is pretty special. The sector is growing worldwide with technology and innovation taking electric vehicles to thrilling new places — I am sure those who visit EVolocity will see electric vehicles in a whole new light and some may even come away with a new passion,” says Rob McEwen, executive director of APEV.

Event highlights are set to include a race between the world’s fastest electric drag motor bike and the fastest fuel-powered drag motor bike in the South Island; a race featuring 16 Canterbury high school teams, who have developed their own custom design and built electric vehicles; a showcase of three world record–holding electric vehicles from the US, plus New Zealand’s first Tesla S; and a race between a Ferrari and a Tesla Roadster.

Besides the events themselves, there will be plenty to check out, including the chance to meet Eva Håkansson who holds the title of fastest electric motorcycle in the world (434kph), fastest sidecar motorcycle in the world, and fastest woman on a motorcycle in the world. Kevin Clemens who set 11 world, US National, and US East Coast land-speed records with electric motorcycles built in his Minnesota workshop will also be present.

If you’re keen on heading along, tickets are available through evolocity.co.nz.

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.