Lola Racing of Huntingdon Unveil an Electric Powered Racing Car

Local Company Lola and Drayson Racing technologies have unveiled the much anticipated electric-powered racing car, the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV. It is a Le Mans pro-type racing car.

The new car can go as fast a Formula 1 racing car over 200 mph and is the fastest Electric car in the world. It is thought that the car will run for about 20 minutes at full speed but battery changing during pit stops could be just as quick as taking on fuel as happens in Formula One but some people will find it difficult to accept the electric motor racing cars without the noise of the engine and the smell of petrol.

Back in July 2011, the two companies, Lola Group and Drayson Racing Technologies announced the partnership to build an electric-powered LMP (Le Mans Prototype) racing car and this is the fruition of that partnership.

The racing car was unveiled in January in Birmingham at which Martin Birrane, Lola Group Chairman said "This innovative new project will evidence several new technologies with a variety of well-known technical suppliers, to show that zero carbon, clean racing can be fast and exciting, whilst offering a stimulating engineering challenge."

Project pioneer Lord Drayson also added "Electric racing represents a considerable new business opportunity for motor-sport and underlines the growing commercial potential of green racing and technology. Electric-powered racing is really taking off with the launch of the new FIA Formula E world championship for electric racing cars planned for 2013 and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of the push for innovation at such an exciting time for the sport and industry.

"Indeed, the Lola B12/69EV racing car that we are unveiling today showcases advances such as inductive charging, composite battery power, moveable aerodynamics and electrical regenerative damping, making it one of the most innovative cleantech motor-sport project in the world. With over 850 horsepower, it aims to be the fastest electric-powered race car to lap a circuit."

So will we see the electric Lola-Drayson racing at Le Mans and for a similar car in Formula One?

It is more likely that a special Electric Formula E will be created and the governing body the FIA have talked of such a formula in the past. Time will tell but for sure local based comp-any Lola will be a the forefront of this technology.