ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RACING 2014 Santa Pod Raceway Saturday 29th March 2014
		Supported by the Battery Vehicle Society

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Alternative Energy Racing 2012 Report

The fifth annual Alternative Energy Racing event took place at Santa Pod Raceway on 12th May, under glorious blue skies and with a fantastic variety of alternative fuel and electric vehicles present. From standard production vehicles to home-grown prototypes, the event was once again about diversity and innovative thinking.

The AE Racing event is all about vehicles that do not use fossil fuels, and getting them out on the dragstrip and proving what they can do right here, right now. There is a competition element – to find the fastest alternative fuel and zero emissions vehicles – but more importantly, the event was a great chance for enthusiasts to get together and discuss concepts, ideas and experiences beyond petroleum.

Every vehicle taking part in the event was in some way interesting. Notable vehicles included home-made electric motorcycles, Oxford Brooks electric single-seat project, a variety of unique electric cycles, bioethanol and biodiesel conversions of both bikes and cars and a whole bevy of Sinclair C5s, including one capable of well over 50mph!

Some good things came in twos… a pair of Tesla Roadsters, a pair of Nissan Leafs and a pair of brand new Vauxhall Amperas!

There were three trophies up for grabs:

Zero Emissions Vehicle trophy was awarded to Sam and Olly Young who once again asserted the dominance of their electric VW Beetle. With new motors installed, there was a gentle build-up to their eventual best time of 9.818 seconds at 134mph, but the way this car leapt off the line it was clear that there is plenty more to come in the future.

The Alternative Fuel trophy went to Dave Smith, a Super Street Bike racer with a Suzuki Hayabua turbo motorcycle that had been converted to run on bioethanol. The entire race class will be asked to run biofuel next season, but Dave was keen to get some early testing in and was pleased with the results he was getting from the sustainable fuel. Dave’s top time of 8.3636 seconds at 168mph was very difficult for anyone else to get close to!

A third trophy was added for the 2012 event, that of Assisted Cycle. Always a popular vehicle type, this trophy was awarded to the most successful vehicle over a shorter sprint track that also included a slalom section. Peter Wills was the fastest on this course, with his powerful home-built electric mountain bike.

Thanks once again to everyone who took part and continued to support the show. We hope to see AE Racing back next year bigger and better than ever!

See below for a full list for entrants and their top times.

Zero Emissions

Alternative Fuel

ET = Elapsed Time, TS = Terminal Speed (mph)

Assisted Cycle

AE Racing 2012 Gallery