Matthias Himmelmann of Münch Racing dominated the second joint event held by the TTXGP and FIM ePower electric motorcycle racing series to take the top spot on the podium. The win at the famed Le Mans circuit makes the German team both the TTXGP Euro and FIM ePower champions for 2011.
The result was somewhat redemptive for Himmelmann, who was disappointed by his sixth-place finish back at the Laguna Seca co-event where he had the chance to compete against the strong American teams. Since then, the team has worked hard on developing the Münch TTE machine with its liquid-cooled AC drivetrain, and it was quite pleased to finish over 34 seconds ahead of the second-place bike. In a show of how fast the technology has progressed, the team's 2011 top lap time was over 26 seconds better than what they could do in 2010. The Münch racing program is part of an effort to eventually revive the brand with a superior electric-powered consumer product.
The Italian CRP Racing team had a strong presence at Le Mans with no less than three bikes and riders entered – including American Shelina Moreda. The strategy paid off with Alessandro Brannetti taking the middle step on the podium. Third place was claimed by Ho Chi Fung of the Chinese factory team Zongshen, who themselves participated with two machines.
Although there is no official video yet available from this race
, the FIM recently released a (paltry) bit of footage from Laguna Seca earlier in the summer which we offer up to you after the break along with the official press releases from the FIM and TTXGP.
*UPDATE: The FIM has just released video highlights from the Le Mans event and we've posted after the break ahead of the Laguna Seca footage.
The result was somewhat redemptive for Himmelmann, who was disappointed by his sixth-place finish back at the Laguna Seca co-event where he had the chance to compete against the strong American teams. Since then, the team has worked hard on developing the Münch TTE machine with its liquid-cooled AC drivetrain, and it was quite pleased to finish over 34 seconds ahead of the second-place bike. In a show of how fast the technology has progressed, the team's 2011 top lap time was over 26 seconds better than what they could do in 2010. The Münch racing program is part of an effort to eventually revive the brand with a superior electric-powered consumer product.
The Italian CRP Racing team had a strong presence at Le Mans with no less than three bikes and riders entered – including American Shelina Moreda. The strategy paid off with Alessandro Brannetti taking the middle step on the podium. Third place was claimed by Ho Chi Fung of the Chinese factory team Zongshen, who themselves participated with two machines.
*UPDATE: The FIM has just released video highlights from the Le Mans event and we've posted after the break ahead of the Laguna Seca footage.
PRESS RELEASE
Victory & title for Matthias Himmelmann (Münch Racing)
Münch continue to dominate Europe's electric racing scene with as yet unmatched performance.
The German rider, Matthias Himmelmann strongly dominated the TTXGP/FIM combined event at the Le Mans circuit, in opening of the renowned FIM 24 Hours Endurance race. After eight laps, the Münch TTE crossed the finish line with more than 34 seconds ahead of Italian Alessandro Brannetti (CRP Racing Team) and Ho Chi Fung, the fastest rider from the Chinese team Zongshen.
In 4th came CRP's Italian rider Alex Battistini finishing ahead of his team fellow and American, Shelina Moreda and Yang Tu, the second Zongshen rider
The march of innovation continues with performances of electric powered motorcycles significantly improving since last year. Matthias Himmelmann completed his fastest lap in 1'54.584 and set a time of 1'52.939 as pole position, up from 2'19 in 2010.
Despite Münch winning the TTXGP World Final in 2010 the European crown was owned by CRP's Alessandro Brannetti who proved to be a fierce competitor especially when the track was more technical and suited to the nimble Motorcycle built by this Italian Manufacturer... Proof was in the last joint FIM epower round at Laguna Seca where the battle for third place was as fierce as any seen in e racing history with Brammo, CRP and Münch swapping paint as they pasted each other repeatedly.
Reminiscing on this experience Matthias Himmelman, MÜNCH RACING on winning today commented "This was a start to finish with a victory for the team. I gave it all my power as well as the power of the bike to push for the win and the result for the whole team is excellent.
This is a real team effort; the win belongs to all of us. We have worked really hard to further develop this new bike after a disappointing result at Laguna Seca. I personally am training hard to improve and be better in time for the next race in the World TTXGP Final where I will face my fellow TTXGP competitors from Laguna Seca. I am really excited to have a rematch in Europe."
The ever gracious 2010 European Champion, Alessandro Brannetti of CRP Racing stated "We are very happy, this is a great result for our team who worked really hard to give me a competitive machine for its class. Of course we know the Münch Motors are in a different league in terms of power and it would be a challenge to beat them so for us second place at this race is an excellent result. We are in front of all the other DC Bikes so we know when racing against the same technology and budget level we are the best. Our goal now is to work on the power train to gain more power in order to complete our next project, the road motorcycle, which will be launched as a concept vehicle at EICMA in Milan this year."
Third place on the podium belonged to another 2010 TTXGP veteran, Hi Chi Fung of ZONGSHEN "I am very happy with the result because although we placed third in the race, the team actually had to work really hard and do their best to even complete the race and finish given it is a longer race than the bike is set up for. We put on a good show. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on the next race, the
TTXGP WORLD FINAL where we will be racing with the bike dialled back up to full power after only being able to compete at 75% level for this race. We are looking forward to showing what the bike is capable of!"
Taking part in her first ever European race and her second ever electric race was the charasmatic Shelina Moreda of USA for CRP racing "It is amazing to be here with CRP Racing at Le Mans during the FIM 24 Hours of Le Mans race weekend. I am ecstatic to be racing at such a world known track. I am always impressed with the CRP team and their motorcycles. It is my first time in Europe and my first time ever on this track of course, it is also only my second time riding the eCRP 1.4 motorcycle, so there is a lot wrapped up in this weekend for me, and a tremendous amount to learn."
"CRP Racing always does everything possible to give me the tools to accel during race weekends. Their support and the coaching from my teammate Alessandro Brannetti has helped me drop my times consistently at this track and I am already going 5 seconds faster today in qualifying than my fastest yesterday during practice, which is significant. Europe is amazing, Le Mans is a dream, and CRP is fantastic for bringing me here. I love the track and I am excited for the race, I look forward to getting even faster today. "
An incredible season finale to 2011, for the next generation of motorsport.
FIM e-Power & TTXGP Championships, a combined event
Victory & title for Matthias Himmelmann (Münch Racing)
The German rider, Matthias Himmelmann strongly dominated the FIM e-Power & TTXGP combined event held this afternoon at the Le Mans circuit, in opening of the renowned FIM 24 Hours Endurance race. After eight laps, the Münch TTE crossed the finish line with more than 34 seconds ahead of Italian Alessandro Brannetti (CRP Racing Team) and Ho Chi Fung, the fastest rider from the Chinese team Zongshen.
In fourth position was Italian rider Alex Batistini (CRP Racing Team) who finished ahead of the American female rider Shelina Moreda (CRP Racing Team) and Yang Tu, the other Zongshen rider
The performance of electric powered motorcycle has significantly improved since last year. Matthias Himmelmann completed his fastest lap in 1'54.584 and set a time of 1'52.939 as pole position. In 2010, the fastest lap around the Bugatti circuit was completed in 2'19.
Having finished third in the 2010 edition of the FIM e-Power, Matthias Himmelman won the 2011 title with two wins and three podiums in four races.
Matthias Himmelman MÜNCH RACING (winner)
"This was a start to finish with a victory for the team. I gave it all my power as well as the power of the bike to push for the win and the result for the whole team is excellent. This is a real team effort; the win belongs to all of us. We have worked really hard to further develop this new bike after a disappointing result at Laguna Seca.
Alessandro Brannetti CRP Racing: (2nd Place)
"We are very happy, this is a great result for our team who worked really hard to give me a competitive machine for its class. Of course we know the Münch Motors are in a different league in terms of power and it would be a challenge to beat them so for us second place at this race is an excellent result. We are in front of all the other DC Bikes so we know when racing against the same technology and budget level we are the best. Our goal now is to work on the power train to gain more power in order to complete our next project, the road motorcycle, which will be launched as a concept vehicle in EICMA in Milan this year."
Hi Chi Fung ZONGSHEN (3rd Place)
« I am very happy with the result because although we placed third in the race, the team actually had to work really hard and do their best to even complete the race and finish given it is a longer race than the bike is set up for. We put on a good show. "
Victory & title for Matthias Himmelmann (Münch Racing)
Münch continue to dominate Europe's electric racing scene with as yet unmatched performance.
The German rider, Matthias Himmelmann strongly dominated the TTXGP/FIM combined event at the Le Mans circuit, in opening of the renowned FIM 24 Hours Endurance race. After eight laps, the Münch TTE crossed the finish line with more than 34 seconds ahead of Italian Alessandro Brannetti (CRP Racing Team) and Ho Chi Fung, the fastest rider from the Chinese team Zongshen.
In 4th came CRP's Italian rider Alex Battistini finishing ahead of his team fellow and American, Shelina Moreda and Yang Tu, the second Zongshen rider
The march of innovation continues with performances of electric powered motorcycles significantly improving since last year. Matthias Himmelmann completed his fastest lap in 1'54.584 and set a time of 1'52.939 as pole position, up from 2'19 in 2010.
Despite Münch winning the TTXGP World Final in 2010 the European crown was owned by CRP's Alessandro Brannetti who proved to be a fierce competitor especially when the track was more technical and suited to the nimble Motorcycle built by this Italian Manufacturer... Proof was in the last joint FIM epower round at Laguna Seca where the battle for third place was as fierce as any seen in e racing history with Brammo, CRP and Münch swapping paint as they pasted each other repeatedly.
Reminiscing on this experience Matthias Himmelman, MÜNCH RACING on winning today commented "This was a start to finish with a victory for the team. I gave it all my power as well as the power of the bike to push for the win and the result for the whole team is excellent.
This is a real team effort; the win belongs to all of us. We have worked really hard to further develop this new bike after a disappointing result at Laguna Seca. I personally am training hard to improve and be better in time for the next race in the World TTXGP Final where I will face my fellow TTXGP competitors from Laguna Seca. I am really excited to have a rematch in Europe."
The ever gracious 2010 European Champion, Alessandro Brannetti of CRP Racing stated "We are very happy, this is a great result for our team who worked really hard to give me a competitive machine for its class. Of course we know the Münch Motors are in a different league in terms of power and it would be a challenge to beat them so for us second place at this race is an excellent result. We are in front of all the other DC Bikes so we know when racing against the same technology and budget level we are the best. Our goal now is to work on the power train to gain more power in order to complete our next project, the road motorcycle, which will be launched as a concept vehicle at EICMA in Milan this year."
Third place on the podium belonged to another 2010 TTXGP veteran, Hi Chi Fung of ZONGSHEN "I am very happy with the result because although we placed third in the race, the team actually had to work really hard and do their best to even complete the race and finish given it is a longer race than the bike is set up for. We put on a good show. We will now be concentrating all our efforts on the next race, the
TTXGP WORLD FINAL where we will be racing with the bike dialled back up to full power after only being able to compete at 75% level for this race. We are looking forward to showing what the bike is capable of!"
Taking part in her first ever European race and her second ever electric race was the charasmatic Shelina Moreda of USA for CRP racing "It is amazing to be here with CRP Racing at Le Mans during the FIM 24 Hours of Le Mans race weekend. I am ecstatic to be racing at such a world known track. I am always impressed with the CRP team and their motorcycles. It is my first time in Europe and my first time ever on this track of course, it is also only my second time riding the eCRP 1.4 motorcycle, so there is a lot wrapped up in this weekend for me, and a tremendous amount to learn."
"CRP Racing always does everything possible to give me the tools to accel during race weekends. Their support and the coaching from my teammate Alessandro Brannetti has helped me drop my times consistently at this track and I am already going 5 seconds faster today in qualifying than my fastest yesterday during practice, which is significant. Europe is amazing, Le Mans is a dream, and CRP is fantastic for bringing me here. I love the track and I am excited for the race, I look forward to getting even faster today. "
An incredible season finale to 2011, for the next generation of motorsport.
FIM e-Power & TTXGP Championships, a combined event
Victory & title for Matthias Himmelmann (Münch Racing)
The German rider, Matthias Himmelmann strongly dominated the FIM e-Power & TTXGP combined event held this afternoon at the Le Mans circuit, in opening of the renowned FIM 24 Hours Endurance race. After eight laps, the Münch TTE crossed the finish line with more than 34 seconds ahead of Italian Alessandro Brannetti (CRP Racing Team) and Ho Chi Fung, the fastest rider from the Chinese team Zongshen.
In fourth position was Italian rider Alex Batistini (CRP Racing Team) who finished ahead of the American female rider Shelina Moreda (CRP Racing Team) and Yang Tu, the other Zongshen rider
The performance of electric powered motorcycle has significantly improved since last year. Matthias Himmelmann completed his fastest lap in 1'54.584 and set a time of 1'52.939 as pole position. In 2010, the fastest lap around the Bugatti circuit was completed in 2'19.
Having finished third in the 2010 edition of the FIM e-Power, Matthias Himmelman won the 2011 title with two wins and three podiums in four races.
Matthias Himmelman MÜNCH RACING (winner)
"This was a start to finish with a victory for the team. I gave it all my power as well as the power of the bike to push for the win and the result for the whole team is excellent. This is a real team effort; the win belongs to all of us. We have worked really hard to further develop this new bike after a disappointing result at Laguna Seca.
Alessandro Brannetti CRP Racing: (2nd Place)
"We are very happy, this is a great result for our team who worked really hard to give me a competitive machine for its class. Of course we know the Münch Motors are in a different league in terms of power and it would be a challenge to beat them so for us second place at this race is an excellent result. We are in front of all the other DC Bikes so we know when racing against the same technology and budget level we are the best. Our goal now is to work on the power train to gain more power in order to complete our next project, the road motorcycle, which will be launched as a concept vehicle in EICMA in Milan this year."
Hi Chi Fung ZONGSHEN (3rd Place)
« I am very happy with the result because although we placed third in the race, the team actually had to work really hard and do their best to even complete the race and finish given it is a longer race than the bike is set up for. We put on a good show. "
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