Motor sport diary

[cast iron]

PRESS RELEASE

22 October 2008

ELECTRIC RACING CAR TO ENTER THE

SPEED HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2009

The Bee Four electric racing vehicle (ERV) is being developed in conjunction with Martin Ogilvie, the former Lotus F1 designer, with the intention of winning the British Speed Hill Climb Championship in 2009. The ERV - code-named the "Watt 4" - is an all-electric 4WD vehicle, capable of producing 700hp or 520kW.

Partners in the project include Oxford University and MIRA Ltd (the Motor Industry Research Association).

The Bee Four electric racing car will be driven in the 2009 season by Graeme Wight, a two-times former British Speed Hill Climb Champion, who has held outright records at Doune, Loton Park, Prescott and Shelsley Walsh.

The Bee Four is part of a business plan by Bee Automobiles to produce a range of electric production cars. The business will be further funded by private equity.

[KerryS]

I think I look forward to not hearing that  

Perhaps it'll have some speakers and an MP3 track of a real engine revving  

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

There is quite a good thread on Uphill Racers here Uphill Racers

I am not sure about them winning straight away in 2009, but that is probably just press hipe. However it's an interesting project, that could work well with Sprint and Hillclimbs, due to the short course times. Shame Westfield have got their act together quicker, they could have been first out there  

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

I saw the Westfield version at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year and the stas looked mightily i pressive to say the least. It was also 4 wheel drive  

[Blatman]

QUOTE

code-named the "Watt 4"

[RICHARD+PHILIP]

there doesn't appear to be much in the way of technical specs.  on any of the websites be nice to know what battery and motor types he's likely to use.

[Mark Stanton]

The last Ogilvie/Wight car took a few years to show its worth ............ wonder how long this will take

[RICHARD+PHILIP]

time to buy a few motors and batteries from RS and have a go I think