Electric motorcycle racing soap opera between TTXGP and FIM

FIM and TTXGP logos courtesy their respective organizations

All through December a strange soap opera like story has unfolded in the nascent sport of electric motorcycle racing.  Originally the TTXGP race series was announced in 2008, the TTXGP held its first race in June 2009, and all was good.  The TTXGP and FIM were apparently working together to establish rules, standards, and a worldwide series of sanctioned races.  Unfortunately in November 2009 this story went astray (see FIM launching the E-Power electric motorcycle racing series, without TTXGP and Is the FIM attempting to "steal" electric motorcycle racing from TTXGP?) with FIM and TTXGP parting ways.  December 2009 turned out to be a very busy month of announcements on all sides of this issue.

This article focuses on which teams have announced where they would race.  A following article will dive more deeply into the unfolding controversy.

Nov 26, 2009 - Dates for all TTXGP championship races in the UK were confirmed.  Also confirmed was the first race of the 2010 season, held from May 14-16 at the Infineon racetrack near San Francisco.

December 1, 2009 - Zero Motorcycles announces their entry into the TTXGP 2010 races.  Interestingly while Zero builds their own electric motorcycle they plan to use a Mavizen bike in the race, but the race bike will be powered by Zero’s Z-Force battery packs and motors.

Dec 3, 2009 - TTXGP indicates it has received commitments from Zero Motorcycles, Mission Motors and CRP Racing to compete in the TTXGP racing series.  Both Mission Motors and CRP Racing have made an exclusive commitment, while Zero Motorcycles hasn't committed to an exclusive arrangement.

Dec 14, 2009 - Mosport International, Toronto will hold Canada's first TTXGP race in July 2010 and is round 2 of the TTXGP North American Championship 2010.  Round 1 of TTXGP North America is the Infineon race noted above.

Dec 15, 2009 - Not content to rest on electric motorcycle laurels, the TTXGP team announced the launch of an electric car racing series named the EMXGP.  Not much is known about the EMXGP but no doubt the TTXGP/eGrandPrix team will in short order reveal more information about this race.  What's known is the first event is scheduled for June 4-6 near Paris France.

Dec 15, 2009 - The TTXGP announces the grand final race in the 2010 series will be held in October at Albacete, Spain.  This is in partnership with the European Motorcycle Union (UEM), a racing organization which unifies 47 member countries and is the largest Continental Union for motorcycling in the world and the largest partner of the FIM.

Dec 15, 2009 - The TTXGP announced the fourth and final event in the UK championship 2010 series will be held at Brands Hatch, 2-3 October.  They also state the highest placed teams from the TTXGP series 2010 will compete in a grand final in October in Albacete, Spain in conjunction with the European Motorcycle Union (UEM).

Dec 15, 2009 - The third venue for the TTXGP North America 2010 series is announced to be at VIRginia International Raceway (pictured) 13 - 15 August.  This will be part of the AMA Pro Superbike Championship.

Dec 17, 2009 - Electric Motorsport announces they will participate in TTXGP races during 2010.  Electric Motorsport won the Open Class in 2009.  Todd Kollin, EMS President, said, "The TTXGP is going to get real competitive this upcoming year. Electric Motorcycles still have a lot to prove on and off the track. Such competition will really spur innovation and technology in the EV industry, pushing the limits of what is possible."  They have not announced exclusivity for the TTXGP however their "level of involvement is directly related to the level of team sponsorship we can solidify".

Dec 17, 2009 - On Brammofan's blog is an announcement that Team AGNI will be racing two bikes at the Isle of Man in 2010, and that the second bike will be ridden by Jenny Tinmouth now owns the fastest women’s lap record for the Isle of Man.  Unfortunately Team AGNI's website doesn't have confirmation.

Dec 18, 2009 - TTXGP announces there will be four races scheduled in Italy during 2010.  The races in Italy are slated for Magione on June 27, Franciacorta on July 25 and September 5 and Mugello on September 26. The race series is sanctioned by the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana.

Dec 18, 2009 - Brammofan announces on his blog a pair of maps (maintained via Google Maps) showing the known TTXGP and FIM races in 2010.

Dec 19, 2009 - FIM announced additional dates where electric motorcycles would ride during two already scheduled MotoGP and WorldSuperbike races.  These two race series have more visibility than does the TT which may give FIM based race series more visibility than the race series the TTXGP organization is assembling.

Dec 27, 2009 - The TORK INDIA team posted a picture of a covered motorcycle on their facebook account page.  No explanation but presumably it's a teaser of the bike they intend to race during 2010.  In private communication they indicated they would "surely confirm our interest shortly" as to which race series they would participate in, and "For now we have no confirmed plans."

With such a blizzard of announcements one wonders whether Azhar Hussain and the TTXGP team slept at all during November and December.  All the attention does look positive for the TTXGP but of course we have not yet reached the end of this story.  There are many teams whose status for 2010 has not been announced.  Stay tuned to this space for further announcements as they become available.

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