With less than a month to go before the 2015 running of the SES TT Zero Challenge, Victory Motorcycles has clarified and confirmed previous rumors with an official announcement of its intention to enter this premier electric motorcycle racing event. This is the American manufacturer's first Tourist Trophy trip to the Isle of Man and the first time it has fielded an electric bike in a contest. Make that bikes, plural, as it will be bringing two examples.
As you may be able to tell from the picture above (if not, please take our word for it), the battery-powered Victory prototypes began life as Brammo Empulse RRs, and, we imagine, were included in the sale of Brammo's motorcycle business. Although their lineage is not mentioned in the official press release (available in full below), the bike's fairing does sport a prominent Brammo Power decal. These are seriously capable bikes and we look forward to see how they match up against the competition.
Spec-wise, we hear from Motorcycles.com that they are good for 150 horsepower, with 166 pound-feet of twist. The Farasis Energy battery pack has been upgraded to 17 kWh to help supply enough power to make it around the 37.7-mile mountain course at speed. There have been a number of other improvements, including a new motor controller and aerodynamic package (not shown).
One outfit which is mentioned in the presser as a partner is Parker Hannifin. It has long played a strong role behind the scenes in the hybrid and electric vehicle industry in general, and at Brammo specifically, sending representatives to events where the Parker-powered Empulse RR took part. It now continues that tradition with Victory Racing.
To underline its commitment to victory, the team has recruited the top riding talents of William Dunlop and Lee Johnston. Although Dunlop has yet to take a TT win – unlike his more famous older brother – he has been having a very good season this year, with a number of visits to the top step of the podium. Johnston is likewise a threat in every contest he enters and has a growing number of trophies to his credit.
Scroll down and check out the promotional video put together by Victory, featuring the bikes getting put through their paces and Johnston talking about his feeling about electric motorcycles and their chances at this year's contest.
As you may be able to tell from the picture above (if not, please take our word for it), the battery-powered Victory prototypes began life as Brammo Empulse RRs, and, we imagine, were included in the sale of Brammo's motorcycle business. Although their lineage is not mentioned in the official press release (available in full below), the bike's fairing does sport a prominent Brammo Power decal. These are seriously capable bikes and we look forward to see how they match up against the competition.
Spec-wise, we hear from Motorcycles.com that they are good for 150 horsepower, with 166 pound-feet of twist. The Farasis Energy battery pack has been upgraded to 17 kWh to help supply enough power to make it around the 37.7-mile mountain course at speed. There have been a number of other improvements, including a new motor controller and aerodynamic package (not shown).
One outfit which is mentioned in the presser as a partner is Parker Hannifin. It has long played a strong role behind the scenes in the hybrid and electric vehicle industry in general, and at Brammo specifically, sending representatives to events where the Parker-powered Empulse RR took part. It now continues that tradition with Victory Racing.
To underline its commitment to victory, the team has recruited the top riding talents of William Dunlop and Lee Johnston. Although Dunlop has yet to take a TT win – unlike his more famous older brother – he has been having a very good season this year, with a number of visits to the top step of the podium. Johnston is likewise a threat in every contest he enters and has a growing number of trophies to his credit.
Scroll down and check out the promotional video put together by Victory, featuring the bikes getting put through their paces and Johnston talking about his feeling about electric motorcycles and their chances at this year's contest.
Victory Motorcycles to Race Prototype Electric Motorcycle at the Legendary International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
MEDINA, Minn., USA (May 12, 2015) – Victory Motorcycles is announcing their intention to race at the iconic International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) event on a prototype Victory electric race motorcycle.
The prototype electric race bikes will be piloted by William Dunlop of the legendary Dunlop dynasty and by Lee Johnston known in the racing world as "General Lee".
Victory Racing will compete in the Isle of Man TT electric class, marking the first time that Victory Motorcycles has entered a professional motorcycle-racing event in Europe and raced an electric motorcycle. Parker, the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, is providing the race-proven, high performance GVM PMAC motors for both machines.
"The entire Victory team is excited to make history with this effort," said Rod Krois, Victory General Manager. "We know that William Dunlop's experience and the continued Victory Motorcycles development of this electric race bike through work with Parker will propel us into a strong future with electric motorcycles."
With more than a hundred years of history, the annual International Isle of Man TT, raced on the Irish Sea Island, is one of the most demanding and exciting races in the world. The SES TT Zero Challenge class event for electric motorcycles is a one-lap race round the island's 37.73 mile Mountain Course scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
"I'm more than excited to race this prototype at the Isle of Man," said professional rider William Dunlop. "Electric powertrains have many advantages, and the Isle of Man is one of the greatest tests in motorcycle racing."
Professional Rider Lee Johnston will be riding the second entry for Victory Racing at the Isle of Man TT and said, "I'm excited to make history by racing the new Victory electric race prototype. It's thrilling to be part of the emerging electric motorcycle movement."
Ben Furnish, Marketing Manager for Parker Hannifin said, "Parker is thrilled to be involved with Victory Motorcycles in this historic event with these talented riders. We look forward to working with Victory to develop high performance powertrains for electric motorcycles. "
The Victory Racing prototype electric race bike features a dedicated electric racing motor and power cells as well as highly sophisticated electric controls to maximize peak power, power delivery, and durability under racing conditions. Victory engineers have further refined the electronics and chassis for the upcoming race with private test sessions in North America.
Victory Motorcycles will host a continuous news feed of updates and photos from the Isle of Man TT and will have more information available on the Victory electric prototype race bike at www.VictoryMotorcycles.com. Be sure to follow Victory on Twitter @VictoryBikes and on Facebook at facebook.com/VictoryMotorcycles for additional updates. To learn more about Parker and their production version of the GVM traction motors visit http://www.parker.com/hev.
About Victory Motorcycles
Victory Motorcycles designs, engineers, manufactures and markets a full line of cruisers, baggers and touring motorcycles. Every Victory model delivers industry-leading performance, comfort, style, storage and reliability. The first Victory was produced on the Fourth of July, 1998, in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where every Victory motorcycle continues to be produced today. Information about Victory motorcycles, apparel and accessories is available at www.VictoryMotorcycles.com.
About Parker
With annual sales exceeding $13 billion in fiscal year 2014, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 57,500 people in 50 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 58 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.parker.com, or its investor information website at http://www.phstock.com.
MEDINA, Minn., USA (May 12, 2015) – Victory Motorcycles is announcing their intention to race at the iconic International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) event on a prototype Victory electric race motorcycle.
The prototype electric race bikes will be piloted by William Dunlop of the legendary Dunlop dynasty and by Lee Johnston known in the racing world as "General Lee".
Victory Racing will compete in the Isle of Man TT electric class, marking the first time that Victory Motorcycles has entered a professional motorcycle-racing event in Europe and raced an electric motorcycle. Parker, the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, is providing the race-proven, high performance GVM PMAC motors for both machines.
"The entire Victory team is excited to make history with this effort," said Rod Krois, Victory General Manager. "We know that William Dunlop's experience and the continued Victory Motorcycles development of this electric race bike through work with Parker will propel us into a strong future with electric motorcycles."
With more than a hundred years of history, the annual International Isle of Man TT, raced on the Irish Sea Island, is one of the most demanding and exciting races in the world. The SES TT Zero Challenge class event for electric motorcycles is a one-lap race round the island's 37.73 mile Mountain Course scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
"I'm more than excited to race this prototype at the Isle of Man," said professional rider William Dunlop. "Electric powertrains have many advantages, and the Isle of Man is one of the greatest tests in motorcycle racing."
Professional Rider Lee Johnston will be riding the second entry for Victory Racing at the Isle of Man TT and said, "I'm excited to make history by racing the new Victory electric race prototype. It's thrilling to be part of the emerging electric motorcycle movement."
Ben Furnish, Marketing Manager for Parker Hannifin said, "Parker is thrilled to be involved with Victory Motorcycles in this historic event with these talented riders. We look forward to working with Victory to develop high performance powertrains for electric motorcycles. "
The Victory Racing prototype electric race bike features a dedicated electric racing motor and power cells as well as highly sophisticated electric controls to maximize peak power, power delivery, and durability under racing conditions. Victory engineers have further refined the electronics and chassis for the upcoming race with private test sessions in North America.
Victory Motorcycles will host a continuous news feed of updates and photos from the Isle of Man TT and will have more information available on the Victory electric prototype race bike at www.VictoryMotorcycles.com. Be sure to follow Victory on Twitter @VictoryBikes and on Facebook at facebook.com/VictoryMotorcycles for additional updates. To learn more about Parker and their production version of the GVM traction motors visit http://www.parker.com/hev.
About Victory Motorcycles
Victory Motorcycles designs, engineers, manufactures and markets a full line of cruisers, baggers and touring motorcycles. Every Victory model delivers industry-leading performance, comfort, style, storage and reliability. The first Victory was produced on the Fourth of July, 1998, in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where every Victory motorcycle continues to be produced today. Information about Victory motorcycles, apparel and accessories is available at www.VictoryMotorcycles.com.
About Parker
With annual sales exceeding $13 billion in fiscal year 2014, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 57,500 people in 50 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 58 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.parker.com, or its investor information website at http://www.phstock.com.
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