INNOVATIVE designs tested out at a proposed 'Green TT' could revolutionise clean emissions road transport.
That's the belief of the motorbike enthusiast and businessman behind the ambitious TTxGP event, which he is planning to stage on the Mountain Course during next year's TT.
>> Vote on this issue at iomtoday.co.im/pollThe event, which is separate from the TT and will be held as three one-lap races after the Senior Race is completed, was given approval in principle by the Council of Ministers last week.
It will showcase a diverse range of two and three wheeled vehicles capable of reaching Grand Prix race speeds – proving that going green does not mean going slow.
International corporations, universities and high tech institutions are being urged to enter their designs and there will also be an open class race for home-grown teams interested in experimenting with alternative energy sources who will be required to build their vehicle to a set budget, expected to be £30,000 using off-the-shelf power sources only.
>> Two teams set to sign up for 'Green TT'25 June 2008>> Clean emissions races planned for TT 200923 June 2008 The man behind the TTxGP is entrepreneur Azhar Hussain, who co-founded Mavizen, a high-tech company dedicated to developing unique accessories for Apple iPod and other MP3 players as well as Bluetooth devices.
An avid motorcycle enthusiast, he said he visited the TT for the first time this year but had previously been something of an armchair fan of the races.
He said the TTxGP would be a stand-alone race which would be a first in the world: 'This will go down in history.
'It's essentially a separate TT which we plan to run after the Senior Race. There will be a one lap race with low emission vehicles in three classes – a pro-class with professional teams, an open class limited by budget which is likely to be £30,000 and a free class which is an exhibition lap round the course.
'What is being produced for the mass market has to deal with vehicle regulations designed for the road and had to be produced for a price limit. That automatically limits the technology. Here we are removing the price restraint and the restraint of legal restrictions.
'It's incredibly exciting and I really feel we are making history. The world is going to be changed.'
Azhar cites the example of a racing dragster dubbed the KillaCycle, powered by 990 lithium batter cells generating 350hp. It can accelerate to 60mph in just under a second and reach 168mph over a quarter of a mile.
The challenge for green technology is endurance and entrants to the TTxGP will have to find ways of maintaining speed over the 37.73 miles of the TT course and the gruelling gradients of the Mountain.
>> YouTube: KillacycleWHAT DO YOU THINK?Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im