TTXGP: Unofficial Overview of Official Rules, Part 2

Part 1 of our TTXGP official rules summary covered the breakdown of the two classes (Pro and Open) within the TTXGP competition. In Part 2, we'll detail the schedule and qualification process that each each competing team must follow in order to race in the main event on June 12th 2009.

Tech Inspection
Initially, all TTXGP racing motorcycles must pass technical scrutineering. TT officials must ensure all bikes meet the required rules and regulations with respect to the bikes designated race class. Additionally, all teams riders must attend mandatory riders meetings.

Qualifying Session 1 - Monday, June 8th, 2009
TTXGP competitors must prove the bike and rider can complete one lap of the 37.5 mile, Isle of Man TT course within 50 minutes, maintaining an average speed of 45.28 mph.

Qualifying Session 2 - Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
The second qualifying session is another chance for TTXGP riders to circulate the track at racing speeds. Racers unable to complete the first qualifying session are given this second chance to make the official race on Friday. Any bike or rider who is unable to complete the circuit in 50 minutes or less in qualifying will not compete in the TTXGP.

By the end of the second qualifying session, we should have a pretty solid indication of who the serious players are going to be on Friday. But it's the TT, so anything could happen on Friday!

TTXGP - Friday, June 12th, 2009
This is it. The moment we've all been waiting for. The flag drops and the world will see who the best rider is and which bulider has the best zero-emission racing motorcycle. History in the making without a doubt. EnvironMoto will be following closely and making updates throughout the race week. Keep us bookmarked, fed, and follow us on Twitter (@EnvironMoto).

Think you know who's going to take home all the TTXGP glory? Cast your vote for the top American team on the right. Think someone else will win it? Comment on this article below!

Photo: TTXGP

TTXGP: Unofficial Overview of the Official Rules Part 1

With all the excitement over the inaugural Isle of Man TTXGP, the fact that there are actually two races within TTXGP has gotten a little lost. Let’s break it down:

The TTXGP is comprised of two classes: The Professional Class and the Open Class.

Professional Class Summary
- The motorcycle propulsion system may be one of the following
o Electric power supplied by battery or accumulator
o Fuel cell (considered a separate class?)
o Internal Combustion using non-carbon based fuel (i.e. Hydrogen)
o Hybrid using non-carbon based fuel and producing non-toxic emissions

Open Class Summary
- Electric power supplied by battery or accumulator ONLY
- Motorcycle must be made available for sale for a period of 75 minutes following the completion of the race for a price of £20,000 ($33,000 USD). Refusal to sell the motorcycle upon receiving a legitimate bid results in disqualification from the race.
- Intellectual property remains in the possession of the original owner

From the entry lists, it appears that Electric Motorsport is one of the few, if not the only entrant to sign up for the Open Class competition with their Yamaha R1 based R144.

It takes some balls to risk letting your electric racebike get into the hands of your competitors by participating in the Open Class. It’s certain that this class won’t appeal to teams fielding the expensive prototype and one-off machines being built exclusively for the TTXGP. But it is a great opportunity for manufacturers currently building production bikes to show what they’ve got and give their product some well deserved street cred.

The Professional Class should see the most competition and will definitely garner the biggest bragging rights. These motorcycles will be the most expensive and exotic of the lot, containing each team’s most secret ingredients for TT success. It appears most Pro Class competitors are going with the electric power option but the door is open for some interesting choices.

TTXGP Official Rules for other aspects of the machines including dimensions, bodywork, and safety are all the same for both classes. Thus allowing each builder to focus to be on power technology and handling.

Tomorrow we’ll continue with Part 2 and detail what it takes for each team to qualify for TTXGP. Stay tuned!

Source: TTXGP
Photo: Electric Motorsport