National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) announced the entry of the first ever all-electric off-road race car, the SRI EV1 into this year’s four-day General Tire Mexican 1000 rally.
The ESRI V1 is a full scale, 100% electric-powered race car built to resemble a modern Class 1 unlimited open-wheel machine.
Designed by SRI, SRD and EV West, the car produces 535 HP and 750 ft-lbs of torque. Power is delivered through two 9″ Netgain WarP motors controlled via Evnetics Soliton 1 high performance controllers before being delivered to the dirt via a Mendeola S4D sequential gearbox.
Structured in a rally format instead of the more tradition, non-stop Baja endurance competition, the NORRA Mexican 1000 offers Team SRI a unique opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the EV1 thanks its multi-day schedule and a series of off-road Special Stages linked via on-road transit sections.
Not surprisingly, the new EV1 is a one-of-a-kind hybrid that combines proven off-road racing technology with a cutting edge drivetrain. The Brenthel Industries chassis features a ride controlled by Bilstein Black Hawk 9300 series shocks on BFG Baja TA KR 35×12.50×15 tires balanced and protected with Ride-On TPS on Method Racing Wheels. Driver and co-driver ride in MasterCraft seats and harnesses. Power for the motors is stored in 138, 3.3v 180ah China Aviation Lithium Batteries (CALB) in two “hot swap” battery packs each containing 69 cells. Additional power for the car’s Racepak, Baja Designs lighting, communications and GPS is provided by a 4-cell battery pack located in the driver’s compartment. Total energy stored in the battery packs is 82kWh, enough to power an average home for about a week.
“This is a monumental undertaking that has been 18 solid months in the making,” explained Strategic Recovery Institute founder Jeffrey Smith. “Our entire team is excited about what we are stepping forward to do. We are confident that our upcoming Mexican 1000 capabilities demonstration will generate future battery sponsorship to allow the ability to ‘hot swap’ multiple battery packs and complete entire races in the near future.”
