TT2011 TT Zero

The 'GREEN' TT Zero: The third running of the Zero Emissions Motorcycle Race heralded a double entry by the winning MotoCzysz Team of 2010. Competition for the TT2011 Segway MotoCzysz Team appeared certain when Ian Hutchinson was listed to ride the Mission Motors entry, unfortunately Ian was a non starter due to a prior race injury and Mission Motors did not enter with an alternate rider. Of particular disappointment was the apparent absence of the Team Agni stalwarts, Arvind Rabadia and Cedric Lynch, both gentleman were at the technology forefront of the TTXGP of 2009 and the inaugural TT Zero race of 2010.

I remain staggered at the quality, workmanship and professionalism of the Segway Motoczysz Team and I was delighted to meet Michael and his father Terry Czysz this year. My TT Zero Pit and Race reports include detailed coverage of the Segway MotoCzysz Motorcycles and the reason should be obvious to even the casual observer, the Segway MotoCzysz Motorcycles incorporated the most advanced engineering at TT2011 by a considerable margin and that comment is not restricted to ZEV race machinery!

THE TT ZERO PIT AREA: There wasn't one, to explain, the various entrants in the TT Zero race had their pit facilities integrated with the remainder of the TT entrants (ICE entries) for the first time, this was an excellent step, offering a clear indicator that the 'them and us' concept has been discontinued. My only problem was finding the various ZEV entrants pit facilities in amongst the ICE contingent!

Once again I viewed the Electrical Safety side of TT Zero entrants operations with interest and I was surprised when one entrant advised they were entering a racing motorcycle with a '400V Battery potential', regardless of their claims of earth free, double insulated, whatever safeguards I did not think that was the right direction, lower voltages and higher amperes are my preference. I have taken great interest in the evolution of Electric, Hybrid and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Drives for many years and in particular the Electrical Safety implications.

My pit report commences with the two motorcycles I consider way ahead of their time:

#1: SEGWAY MOTOCZYSZ E1pc: This is the motorcycle that Mark Miller rode to victory at the TT2010 TT Zero race, albeit updated with a new fairing and various other design improvements.

#1: SEGWAY MOTOCZYSZ E1pc - SECOND GENERATION ZEV RACER, THE TT2010 WINNING MACHINE WITH SUBSTANTIAL REVISIONS FOR TT2011


#1: BREMBOS AND SINGLE SHOCK TOWER	#1: WITHDRAWABLE BATTERY RACK	#1: BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP


#1: WITHDRAWABLE BATTERIES ON CHARGE	#1: OIL COOLERS AND BATTERY MOUNTS	#1: 'ONE TO ONE' DRIVE LINK

#2: SEGWAY MOTOCZYSZ E1pc: The latest Czysz creation, it certainly looks lighter and more purposeful than the #1 machine, the fairing design and swingarm design are inspired engineering.

#2: SEGWAY MOTOCZYSZ E1pc - THIRD GENERATION ZEV RACER, WITH FAIRING REMOVED


#2: FRONT GUARD INTEGRATED WITH FORKS	#2: COMPACT BATTERY PACK	#2: OIL COOLERS FOR ELECTRIC MOTOR

#2: SEGWAY MOTOCZYSZ E1pc - THIRD GENERATION ZEV RACER, BEAUTIFUL FAIRING DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP

#10: KINGSTON UNIVERSITY: Developed at the Kingston University, England, the Ecotricity Machine incorporates 'one' drive motor located ideally within the motorcycle's central mass. There is a surprising lack of attention to lightening components, when I asked a Team Member about this he indicated concern about the motorcycle 'structurally surviving' one lap of the TT Mountain Course! With respect, the other surprising aspect of this motorcycle is the maze of low current control cabling exposed and/or laced with simple spiral wrap.

#10: A MORE PURPOSEFUL ZEV RACER FROM KINGSTON UNIVERSITY


#10: SUBSTANTIAL ALLOY SWINGARM, GOOD MOTOR LOCATION AND THE EXPOSED MAZE OF LOW CURRENT WIRING SYSTEMS

#14: TEAM PROZZA: From Tokyo, the Team Prozza motorcycle was configured in the popular 'Twin Agni' arrangement. Two Agni compact electric motors are arranged on a common axle with direct drive by chain to the rear wheel. This arrangement, whilst allowing ease of motor access for maintenance and cooling, is less than ideal for placement of the motor's weight within the central mass of the motorcycle, further the high current motor terminals of both motors are exposed to damage.

#14: THE TWIN AGNI'S ARE VERY EXPOSED, ALBEIT LOCATED CENTRALLY BETWEEN THE AXLES


#14: UPSIDE DOWN FORKS, NISSIN BRAKES AND THE TWIN AGNI'S WITH THE SIMPLE DRIVE CHAIN AND THE EXPOSED MOTOR TERMINALS

#19: BRUNEL X-TEAM: Developed at the Brunel University, England, the Brunel X-Team motorcycle was also configured in the popular 'Twin Agni' arrangement.

#19: THE TWIN AGNI'S ARE VERY EXPOSED, NOTE THE SIMPLIFIED CHAIN DRIVE FROM A COMMON 'DRIVE AXLE'


#19: DIGITAL DASH AND THE TWIN AGNI ARRANGEMENT WITH 'UNINSULATED' MOTOR TERMINALS!

THE TT2011 TT Zero RACE: Please continue for my coverage of the TT2011 TT Zero Race, Podium Presentations and critically following the Podium Presentations, Terry and Michael Czysz with the garlanded winning Segway MotoCzysz motorcycles at their Pit Facility, what a moment for Michael and the team!!

MORE TT2011 COVERAGE: Please continue my 'TT2011 coverage' by selecting from the following pages...

I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......