Jump to content


Photo

Electric Hill Climb Car


  • Please log in to reply
13 replies to this topic

#1 Derwent Motorsport

Derwent Motorsport
  • Member

  • 858 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 26 May 2015 - 10:28

I was competing at Prescott over the weekend and Barry Williams was competing in a Renault Zoe. It went quite well, if silently, but needed "plugged in" between each run.

It reminded me that not too many years ago there were plans for a electric hill climb single seater. I am sure I saw photos of it but did it ever reach a start line?


Edited by Derwent Motorsport, 26 May 2015 - 10:29.


Advertisement

#2 sabrejet

sabrejet
  • Member

  • 882 posts
  • Joined: January 09

Posted 26 May 2015 - 17:34

It was called the Watt 4 (later Bee 4) and was going to be badged as a BRM. Graeme Wight, jr was behind it and as a result would no doubt have been a potent weapon. Sadly it came to nought, though I recall that basic components had been made and some of the driveline tested.

 

Bit about it here:

 

http://www.telegraph...ampionship.html


Edited by sabrejet, 26 May 2015 - 17:51.


#3 Derwent Motorsport

Derwent Motorsport
  • Member

  • 858 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 26 May 2015 - 19:17

Thanks, I knew there was a BRM connection. Do we know why it failed?



#4 sabrejet

sabrejet
  • Member

  • 882 posts
  • Joined: January 09

Posted 26 May 2015 - 19:39

Not sure it failed exactly - GWJ was busy with his Predator and Raptor hill climbers at the time and I think it was maybe a project too far. Shame really because on the few occasions that I've seen electric hill climbers, they attract a lot of attention.

 

It would certainly stop the NIMBYs at Prescott from complaining too.



#5 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,708 posts
  • Joined: April 10

Posted 26 May 2015 - 22:53

04_DSCN4829sc.jpg

 

The nimby friendly Westfield iRacer being demoed at Prescott in 2012, the prog made no mention of who the driver was, does anybody else recognise him or her ?



#6 john aston

john aston
  • Member

  • 2,675 posts
  • Joined: March 04

Posted 27 May 2015 - 06:53

There has also been a Mitsubishi leccy car in Sprints and Hillclimbs this year; as well a traditional Westfield a year or two ago.Unlike the Petrolhead Clarkson stereotype I find them fascinating, as I did the stunning Tesla S I saw last week . 



#7 Stephen W

Stephen W
  • Member

  • 15,545 posts
  • Joined: December 04

Posted 27 May 2015 - 08:49

04_DSCN4829sc.jpg

 

The nimby friendly Westfield iRacer being demoed at Prescott in 2012, the prog made no mention of who the driver was, does anybody else recognise him or her ?

 

I have asked the question as I wasn't at this one.



#8 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,708 posts
  • Joined: April 10

Posted 27 May 2015 - 10:01

I have asked the question as I wasn't at this one.

 

Thanks Sarge, you missed a lot of rain   ;) 



#9 sabrejet

sabrejet
  • Member

  • 882 posts
  • Joined: January 09

Posted 27 May 2015 - 11:10

Don't forget John Lilley in the Vindicator Sprint in 2013.



#10 Stephen W

Stephen W
  • Member

  • 15,545 posts
  • Joined: December 04

Posted 28 May 2015 - 07:21

04_DSCN4829sc.jpg

 

The nimby friendly Westfield iRacer being demoed at Prescott in 2012, the prog made no mention of who the driver was, does anybody else recognise him or her ?

 

The driver was Matt Hillam - currently contesting the British Sprint Championship in a Dallara.



#11 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,708 posts
  • Joined: April 10

Posted 28 May 2015 - 17:12

Merci Steve :up:



#12 Cirrus

Cirrus
  • Member

  • 1,753 posts
  • Joined: February 03

Posted 28 May 2015 - 17:56

Mention of the Tesla S in post #6 reminded me of this hugely impressive YouTube video - apologies for going OT...

 



#13 Hamish Robson

Hamish Robson
  • Member

  • 389 posts
  • Joined: May 09

Posted 29 May 2015 - 04:23

Of course Rod Millen was very successful at the Pikes Peak event with an electric Toyota/Radical.

 

Search Rod Millen Toyota EV P002



#14 sabrejet

sabrejet
  • Member

  • 882 posts
  • Joined: January 09

Posted 29 May 2015 - 05:16

Electrics do well at Pikes Peak - no power loss with altitude. But who was first up the mountain in an electric car?