TT Zero no more...
CloudBoy Offline
ex-IOM TT forum
**

Posts: 27
Threads: 8
Joined: May 2012
Reputation: 0
#1
TT Zero no more...
[Image: JOhnMcPintinTtZero19.jpg]
John McGuinness during this year's TT Zero


No TT Zero for next two years

TT organisers have confirmed that there will be no TT Zero races at the next two events.


A statement released by the Department of Enterprise on Monday afternoon said: 

’After a successful 10-year programme, the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise, as promoters of the TT, has confirmed that they will hold a moratorium on the TT Zero class participation in the race schedule in both 2020 and 2021.

’The decision follows a period of significant milestones and success, however, the running of this class and participation of the associated competitors has been increasingly challenging. Therefore, the moratorium will allow the Department to engage in a broader dialogue with stakeholders, including teams and manufacturers, to develop and expand the class, building on the success to date and working with the industry to establish long-term plans for clean emission Motorcycle racing and technology development on the Isle of Man.


Rob Callister MHK, Member with responsibility for tourism and motorsport, commented:

‘As an island we remain committed to the principles and passion that continues to motivate everyone associated with the TT Zero class and the clean tech industry. Our intention is to have a moratorium on the event to allow the motorcycle industry as a whole to catch up on the leading edge developments that some manufacturers and individual race teams and universities have achieved to date.’

‘We remain incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved in clean emission racing at the TT and will work closely with the industry and with manufacturers without the pressure and focus of delivering a race format to build on the success to date.’


Introduced in 2010, the TT Zero race has premiered all-electric prototype and production machines on the TT Course, with significant milestone successes from both mainstream developers of motorcycles and University entrants.

Highlights including the first 100mph lap of the Mountain Course by a clean emissions motorcycle – Motoczysz - in 2012, the exceptional performances by the Japanese Mugen team raising the lap records over a number of years which now stands at over 121mph and the remarkable performance by Nottingham University in posting their own 120mph lap.

Over the 10-year period many notable teams have participated in the event, although recent years have seen entries for this all-electric class reduce to the extent that the Department now needs to work with the industry to grow a modern zero emission class and encourage more teams, universities and manufacturers to participate
This will include looking at other technologies under development and to determine if these can be incorporated into the broader concept of zero emissions racing on the TT Course.

Minister Laurence Skelly MHK continued:

‘In 2019, the carbon footprint of racing at TT was offset for the first time and the Department will continue to strive to reduce the broader environmental impact of the TT and the island as a whole. Zero emission racing machinery has an important part to play in this reduction into the future.

‘As such the Department wishes to hear from those stakeholders and organisations who feel they have the skills, knowledge and competence to be able to provide input into the process of determining the future look of the TT Zero Races.’


The Department is looking to arrange a series of clean-tech industry and race team stakeholder sessions on the Isle of Man with the first one planned for early in the new year.

The full race programme for the 2020 TT will be announced shortly.


[Image: iomtodaylogo.jpg]
CloudBoy
(This post was last modified: 21-10-2019, 05:50 PM by Malcolm.)
21-10-2019, 05:10 PM
Find Reply
kilbil Offline
Member
***

Posts: 130
Threads: 13
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 0
#2
RE: TT Zero no more...
The formula is about to take off, why.

kilbil
21-10-2019, 05:56 PM
Find Reply
warrior Offline
Member
***

Posts: 179
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 1
#3
RE: TT Zero no more...
Sadly I could see this coming, it is a shame because Mugen had achieved an amazing level of performance, but other than the valiant and impressive efforts of the Nottingham University team there was nobody else to compete with.

I discussed this with one of the Mugen guys some years ago now, he was concerned then about lack of entries and I suggested that the only way to increase the grids was for them to offer a motor/battery/controller leasing package with technical support to other teams to build their own bikes around, similar to the days of the Harris and ROC 500's in 90's Grand Prix, which back then gave private teams a chance to lease a competitive motor from Yamaha and boosted dwindling grids for a while, the guy agreed it would be an option but I'm guessing when it came down to it the costs would still have been prohibitive to put a Harris Mugen or similar together for a limited amount of events.
21-10-2019, 11:27 PM
Find Reply
captainsparkledotcom Offline
Moderator
*****

Posts: 1,656
Threads: 364
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 2
#4
RE: TT Zero no more...
...Are they pulling the plug?
Sorry!  Confused

Seems rather unfortunate, considering that Moto GP have been running Moto E this year, & momentum seems to be gaining for electric vehicles in general.
22-10-2019, 12:23 PM
Website Find Reply
HammerHead Offline
Senior Member
****

Posts: 553
Threads: 23
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 0
#5
RE: TT Zero no more...
Given the prohibitive costs of racing what are essentially prototypes perhaps the future of the class (if there is one) would be to use production machines? OK, so the speeds may be lower, at least at first, but the grid size might increase.


"There is nothing so momentary as a sporting achievement, and nothing so lasting as the memory of it."
22-10-2019, 03:04 PM
Find Reply
Dogsbody Offline
Member
***

Posts: 62
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 0
#6
RE: TT Zero no more...
If they could persuade MotoE to do an eight lap race at the Southern that would increase the profile of electric racing. Seeing Bradley Smith and Ana Carasco beat Sete Gibernau is good entertainment which is what it is all about. Colin
23-10-2019, 06:39 AM
Find Reply
c iom tt Offline
Senior Member
****

Posts: 669
Threads: 16
Joined: Feb 2009
Reputation: 2
#7
RE: TT Zero no more...
I feel sorry for Mugen, they have really upped there game year on year, but the entry list was getting embarrassing. I wonder if Mugen will want or be allowed to do a fast demo lap next year?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse
(This post was last modified: 24-10-2019, 09:48 PM by c iom tt.)
24-10-2019, 09:47 PM
Find Reply
c iom tt Offline
Senior Member
****

Posts: 669
Threads: 16
Joined: Feb 2009
Reputation: 2
#8
RE: TT Zero no more...
It would appear that Mugen were not coming to TT 2020 anyway, maybe that the reason Zero was pulled?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse
25-10-2019, 12:04 PM
Find Reply
eman1948 Offline
Member
***

Posts: 232
Threads: 6
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 0
#9
RE: TT Zero no more...
Embarrassing to call it a TT , until they can get a decent entry replace it with moto3 bikes  perhaps.
25-10-2019, 03:03 PM
Find Reply
Revvin rich Offline
Senior Member
****

Posts: 467
Threads: 70
Joined: Nov 2014
Reputation: 0
#10
RE: TT Zero no more...
I'm all for technology and saving the planet and they are a work of art especially the mugens and the moto cyst's but the entry lists for the 1 lap race was very poor it would have been better on the billown course 3or4 laps to make it full blooded race I'm not saying the riders aren't trying, to lap at 120mph is a tribute to man and machine, l must admit I wasn't a big fan of the race but that's my opinion.
26-10-2019, 09:33 AM
Find Reply




Users browsing this thread: 2 Guest(s)