TGR StaffDrayson Racing Technologies and Michelin are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic partnership that will begin with an assault on the FIA World Electric Land Speed Record on June 25.
Michelin has become the Official Tyre Partner of Drayson Racing Technologies, whose cars will run exclusively on Michelin rubber in the build-up to the inaugural 2014/15 FIA Formula E season. This will include the Drayson B12 69/EV hypercar that will challenge the FIA World Electric Land Speed Record.
Lord Drayson will aim to better the current record of 175mph set by Battery Box General Electric in the United States since 1974. This record has held firm for nearly 40 years due to the immense technical challenge of running an electric vehicle consistently and reliably at such speeds when weighing less than 1000kg. He will attempt to showcase the country’s leading position in the manufacture and development of EV technology in the UK, at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire.
Michelin is providing the control tires to the FIA Formula E Championship, and this real-world trial will influence the development of key Drayson Racing Technologies components for the season starting in 2014.
Lord Drayson will also act as a Michelin ambassador and showcase Drayson Racing Technology vehicles at numerous events in the run-up to the inaugural Formula E season.
Commenting on the partnership, Lord Drayson, founder and Managing Partner of Drayson Racing Technologies, said: “Michelin has a strong pedigree in motorsport innovation, and we at Drayson Racing Technologies are sustainable motorsport pioneers, so the partnership was a natural fit. I’ll be driving the B12 69/EV during the World Electric Land Speed Record attempt, and it gives me great confidence to know that the best team in the world right now has provided the tires, which will play such a crucial part.”
Jianni Geras, Michelin UK Head of Marketing, added: “Michelin has a rich history of breaking records, with many of the world’s supercars achieving great things equipped with our tyres. The World Electric Land Speed Record will be a fantastic addition to this list, further proving our credentials as partners to the most innovative and pioneering automotive manufacturers in the world. This project is also set to contribute to the development of our control tyres for the hugely exciting FIA Formula E Championship that commences next year.”
Source: Drayson Racing Technologies
