Electric bikes for Billown

Electric bikes will race alongside conventional internal combustion-engined machines at this year’s Southern 100 International meeting.

It will be the first time that e-Bikes have raced side-by-side with regular fossil fuel driven machines in open classes on a public road course anywhere in the world.

It is hoped that two electric bikes will contest the 400/125 class in the Isle of Man Steam Packet-sponsored meeting between July 7-10.

The announcement was made at Southern 100 MCRC’s press launch in Castletown on Friday evening when Darvill Racing’s team principal, Alex Aitchison, was interviewed.

‘I happen to live in Castletown, next door to Southern 100 MCRC president Derek Nicholson, and I asked him if the club would be willing to consider allowing eBikes to race alongside conventional machines.

‘He put the idea to the committee, who were very interested in the proposal.

‘Approaches were then made to the Auto-Cycle Union. Again the response was very positive and wheels were quickly put into motion.

‘It is something to behold. We need to put eBikes on the roads. TT Zero is a segregation, we need to bring electric and ITC bikes together.

‘Darvill Racing is committed to developing technologies to reduce the ever-decreasing gap between conventional bikes and eBikes.

‘This ground-breaking opportunity demonstrates the forward thinking of both the ACU and Southern 100 Club, both of which are blazing the trail in the integration of this exciting technology.

‘We are extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to be the first team to compete with internal combustion-engined machines in a pure road race event anywhere in the world.’

Darvill Racing will be factory supported by USA-based Brammo, utilising their eSuperStock and TTXP2 machines that incorporate cutting-edge design and efficient manufacturing procedures.

The bikes will be ridden by Chris Foster and Ramsey resident Keith McKay, who said: ‘I got involved with electric bikes from the start and I can assure you that they are proper motorcycles, not toys.

‘You can now buy them to ride on the roads. Hopefully ours will be competitive against the 400/125cc petrol machines.

‘With the development of batteries, its onwards and upwards.’

Commenting on behalf of Southern 100 Motor Cycle racing Club, Derek Nicholson said:

‘Since the first Southern 100 was run in 1955, the club has always been progressive in its thinking. This year is no exception as we will witness the very first motorcycle race that will see conventional racing machines competing with and against electric-powered machines at the Southern 100.

‘It’s a first for Billown and the Isle of Man, in fact it’s a first for the world.’

Gary Thompson has described the news of the first mixed race on roads anywhere in the world as a truly exciting time for motorcycle racing.



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