Posted to News on 26th Mar 2014, 00:00
Emission-free emotions in the eMotorcycle World Championships
With two World Championship titles, a European title and a further second place in the 2012 World Championship behind it, the Würzburg-based Münch Racing Team may have retired from active competition in the 2013/14 season, but with its team cohesion and continuous development it has laid a foundation for fascinating electromobility and technology leadership. Much of that has come courtesy of an electric powertrain specially tailored by Wittenstein to the requirements of the race winning eBike.
>With around 150 electric horsepower, speeds in excess of 150mph, and several lap records, the magic of motor racing was guaranteed as Matthias Himmelmann of the Münch Racing Team raced to second place in the 2012 world title on his electrically powered motorbike, in a contest packed with emotions but completely free of emissions. "In the course of the free practice sessions and the qualifying race, Matthias Himmelmann and his electric racing machine outsped more than twenty other contestants riding conventional internal combustion (IC) engined bikes, setting new lap record," reports Thomas Petsch, manager of the Münch Racing Team. The Wittenstein electric motor was further fine-tuned during the practice laps to meet the special requirements of the Speedway. As a result, the Münch eBike achieved a top speed of 155 mph on the straights.
>The World Final of the TTXGP (Time Trials Extreme Grand Prix) World Championship racing series was held on the three-and-a half mile long Daytona International Speedway. The winning teams are determined every year in three continental championships - in Europe, Asia/ Australasia and North America - before battling it out in a single race for the top accolade in the season finale. As World Champion in 2010 and 2011 and European Champion in 2012, Himmelmann was tipped as top favourite - despite stronger-than-ever competition.
>The World Final was decided amid high tension in every sense - with the Münch machine, or rather the motor side of the drive, spinning around the track with 500 amps and 370 volts, the race turned out to be incredibly exciting. After starting from third place, Himmelmann gradually closed up lap for lap on the eBike of leader Steve Atlas of the American Brammo team, but could not find a way to get past him.
>Petsch recalls the thrilling event: "Himmelmann crossed the finishing line as runner-up - a tremendous success in view of the totally different opportunities available to the US and Chinese teams with their optimal financial footing." Certainly the team can be proud of its outstanding sporting achievements, and has set a benchmark for future development of electric mobility.
>Like any high-level sport, professional motor racing on eBikes makes extremely tough demands on both rider and materials. If, therefore, the challenges can be mastered in a motor racing vehicle, the potential for production-ready innovations that enhance the performance of eMobile drive concepts in other applications is high.
>This is certainly Wittenstein's strategy as a pioneer in the electric motor racing world. "Electric motorcycle racing in general, and our cooperation with the Münch Racing Team in particular, represents an ideal experience-based field to assess exactly how electric drive technology can support the eMobility cause", says Wittenstein's Christian Lutz. As systems engineer for the Münch motors and their power electronics, he is very closely involved in the development of powertrain concepts for motor racing together with the racing team. Insights gained in this way are directly aiding the development of close-to-series powertrain solutions for electric vehicles. As one example, Wittenstein is currently supplying a complete powertrain for high performance Maxi e-scooters to a major automotive manufacturer in its role as development and project partner.
>Combine Wittenstein's core strengths of mechanical systems, electronics and integration, and add in a splash of innovation, and the result is efficient integrated systems for electric and hybrid mobility solutions. This eMobility technology is the next step in efficient consumer motion. Ensuring compact, lightweight and reliable drive systems is a major step forward in developing the future of this emerging technology. As well as working with teams like Münch, Wittenstein has also partnered with universities and has developed highly successful integrated solutions which are intended specifically for eMobility.
>According to the company, eMobility stands for more than simply an electric mobile solution. The 'e' stands for ecological, economical and efficient. The Wittenstein philosophy supports all of these concepts, having proven itself as the leader in responsibly developing mechatronic solutions for the future. Essential specifications for eMobility drive solutions include high power density, dynamics and energy efficiency. Wittenstein's expertise in designing and developing technology for the future of motion has already been proven with its products and solutions in simulation training devices for aerospace and electronics for space travel.
