Introduced as a first step into the realm of on-track competition for hydrogen electric fuel cell-powered vehicles, the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation will begin competition in May 2009 with the Hydrogen 500."We have developed a set of specifications for the HERF racers that will limit expenditures for the participating manufacturers within reason on certain essential systems," said Peter M. DeLorenzo, president and CEO of HERF. "But make no mistake — our intent is not to strangle ingenuity, but to encourage it. Each manufacturer will be free to express their individual creativity and innovative ideas any way they see fit. As a matter of fact, we encourage it. We feel this element of 'blue sky' thinking will be a crucial component to the appeal of the HERF racing machines — and The Future of Racing."
DeLorenzo sees racing of hydrogen fuel-cell-powered machines as important because racing will play a key role in the development of new technologies for production vehicles. The HERF racers will be closed-wheel machines with an on-track footprint similar in dimension to but not exceeding those currently used by sports car prototype racers. Key specifications include a minimum weight of 1,984 pounds, minimum power of 300 kilowatts/400 horsepower, onboard hydrogen limited to roughly 17.5 pounds and a projected lap speed around Indianapolis Motor Speedway of 185 mph-plus.
"I believe it is time to press the 'reset' button for racing," said DeLorenzo. "Not only to usher in a new era of creativity and innovation to the sport, but also to enable racing to take its rightful place again as the principal conduit for the transference of advanced technologies and innovations directly to our future production vehicles.
The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation plans on presenting on-track competition for electric vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells beginning in 2009, with additional races, including international events in 2010 and 2011.
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