How do you prove your new automotive technology is real? Why, prove it in the racing environment, of course!
Not to be outdone by ethanol and its IndyCar coup, fuel cell vehicle makers are starting their OWN racing league to show the viability of their technology. And now they've released to specs for automakers to build to.
The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation's hubristically-named Future of Racing™ and Hydrogen 500™ concepts were introduced recently in Detroit to "an impressive gathering of leading auto industry executives and motorsports dignitaries."
Intended as a first step into the realm of on-track competition for hydrogen electric fuel cell-powered vehicles, the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation will boast technologically advanced racing machines when competition begins in May 2009, "just two years from now," the company said breathlessly in a statement today.
The HERF racers will be closed-wheel machines with an on-track footprint similar in dimension to those currently used by sports car prototype racers.
Key specifications participants must design to will include:
- Weight: 900 kg (minimum)
- Construction: Manufacturers' choice
- Aerodynamic Devices: Allowed (although they cannot be movable or touch the track surface)
- Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Controls: Manufacturers' choice
- Power: 300kw/400 hp (minimum)
- Battery Type: Manufacturers' choice
- On-Board Hydrogen (compressed gas at 10,000 psi): Limited to 8 kg
- Tires: One size package for oval tracks, one size package for road-racing circuits
- Fuel: One manufacturer, to specification (from renewable resources)
- Projected Lap Speed (at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway): 185mph+
The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation says it aims to help the world's leading automobile manufacturers and their suppliers promote hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicle technology as not only The Future of Racing, but "as a glittering showcase for the future of transportation."
Submitted by Dallas Kachan on February 7, 2007 - 7:07am.
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Hydrogen race vehicle
So when we have a 50 car pile up at Talledega in these cars, just how much of the grandstands will still be there?
This is an example of a seemingly sexy and good idea that is in fact a horrible idea. Putting any type of tank at 10kPSI on the race track is NOT SAFE. I currently compete in NASCAR, ALMS and have even taken a shot at a Bonneville record. You'd never get me into a car with a tank under that kind of pressure going fender to fender. People that don't race shouldn't be proposing new racing venues just to promote their technology.
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