No, the leaders have not cast a lead, but they do want to keep up with the times. Which promises an electric motorized future. It is therefore appropriate to give a little of one's energy into this alternating current and it is to be connected to this environment that Carmelo Ezpeleta has already promised a five-race competition with electric motorcycles by 2019. Which ones? In Austin, the boss went to visit a manufacturer in the company of Loris Capirossi...
First, let's recall the specifications for this electric season: a single-make championship of electric motorcycles with particular management defined as follows by Carmelo Ezpeleta : “ these motorcycles would be entrusted to the MotoGP satellite teams, so that, thanks to the electric motorcycles, they would have an additional argument to interest sponsors. We have 14 independent bikes and we want there to be 18 riders racing, with what would be the 14 MotoGP plus the Top 4 from Moto2, if they want it ".
Now we have to find this brand that makes this motorcycle capable of competing in Grands Prix. On the other side of the Atlantic, there is the coat of arms Lightning Bike which shed light on the subject at the time of the Grand Prix of the Americas. Carmelo Ezpeleta went to this manufacturer with a Loris Capirossi who put the machines to the test.
A model called LS-218 which makes sparks. For 38.888 US dollars, the beast offers a 220 hp electric motor propelling it to 352 km/h. Don't look, it's a record for this type of model. The manufacturer is based in California and has eight years of experience in the field. Competition doesn't scare him. Numerous victories in AMA and FIM and trophies taken at the Pikes Peak hill climb show that we take the matter seriously.
The Lightning LS-218 weighs 250 kilos, has a carbon fiber body, adjustable shock absorbers, an Öhlins front fork, Brembo 320 mm brakes and 17-inch magnesium rims from Marchesini. In detail, the screws are made of titanium, the trim is customizable and the dashboard has adopted the Android operating system.
An interesting technical sheet. It remained to seduce a Loris Capirossi who was responsible for putting everything straight on the track. Verdict? What we feared: too little autonomy at the frenetic pace of a race. Who wouldn't do three laps! So we still have to work. But the project is moving forward.
