Shawn Higbee wins TTXGP North America Infineon Raceway round for Team Zero Agni – Click above for high-res image gallery
The first round of the TTXGP North America was successfully held on Sunday with Shawn Higbee of Team Zero Agni crossing the finish line first with a time of 25.33.626 for the 11-lap, 25.52-mile competition. It didn't come easy though. The bright yellow bike from Lightning Motors (dubbed by some the "Flying Banana") piloted by Michael Barnes used its superior power to pull out in front at the start and build up enough speed on the straights to swap the lead with the eventual winner several times in the early laps. Eventually, heat that the "banana" built up in battle caused sensors to trip and a quick re-boot was necessary before the bike could get back underway and secure second place.
Lightning Motors didn't suffer the only electro/mechanical glitch of the day. Indeed, after qualifying third, the converted antique Norton of Team Electra succumbed to heat after only three laps, while the Mavizen TTX02 of Werkstatt Racing needed to pause for a quick reset on the first turn of the very first lap, giving up the bottom step of the podium to Mike Hannas for Electric Race Bikes in the process. Perhaps no one had a more disappointing day then the guys from Swigz.com Pro Racing, though. They apparently had problems getting their KERS ready for the race and didn't see any track time on even the practice or qualifying days. The only silver lining for them is they got a good look at the competition they will face when the TTXGP North America hits Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI on the 4th of June.
Overall, the event is being seen as something of a success, showing that racing these alternative drivetains can create its own special blend of exhilaration. Though the best lap time of 1.56 was about 18 seconds slower than top AMA Daytona superbike orbit, we expect that, as the performance gap between the electrics and their gas-powered cousins closes, the excitement can only build. Hit the jump for official results and a statement from the eGrandPrix and check out the gallery below for a look of these history-making machines courtesy of our friends over at Asphalt & Rubber.
Photos by Jason Yu, Dustin Gibbs and Jensen Beeler / Asphalt & Rubber
[Source: eGrandPrix / Asphalt & Rubber / Plugbike]
PRESS RELEASE
Thrilling start to TTXGP 2010; Dogfight at Infineon
Thrilling battle for first, third and just to finish marks a the start of the first zero carbon world series.
It happened. History was made as the TTXGP took to the field of the West Coast Moto Jam at the Infineon Raceway, California. Teams from across America came and changed hearts and minds, and delivered a compelling message; The next generation of motorsport has arrived. Its real and and its TTXGP.
The field was led with a turn by turn battle between ZeroAgni ridden by Shawn Higbee and Lightening Motorcycles, Michael Barnes. Each pushed the other to deliver a thrilling pace that was only 18 secs per lap off the AMA Superbike pace with each pulling 1:57 per lap. The battle was finally decided when Barnes had to stop to cycle his bike through a reboot but still managed to hold of Michael Hannas to 3rd place on the ElectricRacebikes.com
WerkStatt, Jennifer Bromme, riding the Mavizen TTX02, suffered a software glitch on the first turn of the first lap. Having to reboot her machine and standing still for about 30 secs, she finally started her race and climbed through the field taking 4th place behind Hannas.
Broome just beat out the second Zero satellite teams, KSquared Racing, ridden Kenyon Kludge, Zero's chief electrical engineer riding a modified Zero stock bike.
The field was rounded out Zeo Rem riding a modified commuter bike from Pril Motors. John Wild from Square Wave and Jason Lauritzen from Electric MotorSports brought up the rear.
Notable mentions to Spencer Smith from Volt and Thad Wolff from Team Electra who retired due to mechanical failures on lap 9 and lap 3 respectively.
Pos. No.Rider Team Time Laps Best Lap Time
1 22 Shawn Higbee Zero/Agni 25.33.626 11 laps 1:56.948
2 80 Michael Barnes Lightning 25:51.784 10 laps 2:01.457
3 15 Mike Hannas ElectricRaceBike26:44.237 10 laps 2:08.587
4 23 Jennifer Bromme Werkstatt 26:57.716 10 laps 2:15.103
5 14 Kenyon Kluge K Squared 29:54.606 10 laps 2:16.393
6 18 Zoe Rem Pril Motors 27:51.617 9 laps 2:41.026
7 16 John Wild Square Wave 26:21.047 8 laps 2:44.726
8 20 Jason Lauritzen EMS 26:24.765 8 laps 2:12.375
DNF 19 Spencer Smith Volt Motors Lap 9
DNF 37 Thad Wolff Team Electra Lap 3
Best Average Speed: 59.905 mph
Best Speed: 71.416 mph
Track distance 2.320 miles
The adventure continues on June 4th, 2010 for Round 2 at Road America Elkhart Lake, WI, and beyond as we build towards the grand final for the world in Albacete in October 2010.
These teams also begin their journey to become partners in TTXGP with the TEO (trust.egrandprix.org).
TTXGP. New Day, New Rules, New Game. Be Part of It.
Stay tuned for pictures, interviews and up close race footage.
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